Audi unveils the Audi activesphere electric crossover concept, the latest in the ‘sphere’ series
After revealing the first images last year, and finally setting a date for its official unveiling recently, Audi has unveiled the Audi activesphere concept electric crossover. It is the latest concept in the ‘sphere’ family, which began with the unveiling of the Audi skyphere in 2021, followed by the Audi grandsphere sedan and Audi urbansphere utility car in April last year.
Focusing on this new and latest ‘sphere’ model, the activesphere is a four-door crossover coupé vehicle with dimensions of 4.98 metres long, 2.07 metres wide and 1.60 metres high, with a wheelbase of 2.97 metres. Its large dimensions allow the rear to be converted into an active load platform for transporting bicycles or aquatic or winter equipment such as surfboards or skis.
The concept car was conceived and designed at the Audi Design Studio in Malibu, and is based on Audi’s PPE modular platform together with Porsche, with plans to launch the first PPE-based Audi production vehicles before the end of 2023. Studio manager Gael Buzyn, said of the resulting vehicle:
“The activesphere is unique. It is a new type of crossover that skilfully combines the elegance of an Audi Sportback, the practicality of an SUV and true off-road capabilities.”
The Audi activesphere concept offers a total power output of 325 kW and 720 Nm of torque. The front and rear wheels are connected via a five-arm axle. It incorporates autonomous driving features and offers a range of more than 600 kilometres and 800 V fast-charging technology. They claim that, “in less than 25 minutes, the 100 kWh battery is charged from 5 to 80%”.
The wheels, accompanied by large 22″ rims, have movable segments: when used off-road, they open for optimal ventilation and close on the road for better aerodynamics. It also features air suspension that allows a 40 mm increase in height. The mirrors are camera mirrors, as we have already seen on the brand’s first production electric cars, such as the Audi e-tron.
The centrepiece of the new system is the “mixed reality” glasses, which are available individually for each driver and passenger. The system brings control surfaces and displays, invisible to the naked eye, into the user’s field of vision. The user can see virtual content, which is initially for information only. If the user looks at the projected information, the system displays more detailed information. The content becomes active and interactive when the user starts to use gestures.
In off-road mode, high-resolution 3D topographical graphics can also be projected onto the real landscape and navigation and destination information can be displayed. Board Member for Technical Development, Oliver Hoffmann, commented:
“The sphere concept vehicles show our vision of the premium mobility of the future. We are experiencing a paradigm shift, especially in the interior of our future Audi models. The interior becomes a place where passengers feel at home and can connect with the outside world at the same time.
The most important technical innovation in Audi activesphere is our adaptation of augmented reality for mobility. Audi dimension creates the perfect synthesis between the environment and digital reality.”
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