Audi has unveiled the Audi ActiveSphere Concept, the fourth model in its Sphere series, showcasing the brand’s vision for the future luxury segment.
The concept follows the Audi Skysphere roadster introduced in 2021, the Audi Grandsphere sedan revealed in 2022, and the Audi Urbansphere Concept. Developed at Audi’s design studio located near Malibu, California, adjacent to the iconic Pacific Coast Highway, the Audi ActiveSphere Concept emphasizes versatility.
Studio manager Gael Bujin remarked, “The Audi ActiveSphere is a new type of crossover coupe that harmonizes the elegance of an Audi sportback with the practicality of an SUV and off-road capability.”
Built on the PPE platform, the Audi ActiveSphere features electric drive and fast-charging technology, allowing for a range of over 600 km. The steering wheel and pedals facilitate active vehicle control while providing autonomous driving features for a more comfortable experience on the road. The vehicle elegantly transforms from a sporty coupe to a dynamic pickup truck capable of transporting equipment within seconds, with ample cargo space to carry two electric bikes.
Oliver Hoffmann, Audi’s Chief Operating Officer for Technology Development, stated, “The Sphere concept vehicles illustrate Audi’s vision for the future of premium mobility.” He added, “The interior space is designed to provide comfort like home, fostering communication with the outside world, while Audi Dimension perfectly merges the surrounding environment with digital reality.”
Utilizing the autonomous driving feature known as Audi Dimension, drivers and passengers can experience a new level of freedom and enjoyment within the car, displaying real-time digital content that connects actual space with virtual worlds (mixed reality).
State-of-the-art headsets show the real environment and driving path while simultaneously displaying interactive 3D content. The Audi ActiveSphere Concept embodies Audi’s aesthetics and dynamism while showcasing a fantastic vision enriched with forward-looking technologies, acting as a perfect all-rounder for any purpose.
Measuring 4.98m in length, 2.07m in width, and 1.60m in height, the ActiveSphere fits within the premium segment, boasting a generous wheelbase of 2.97m. It provides ample legroom while maintaining relatively short front and rear overhangs, creating a compact appearance.
With 22-inch wheels and adjustable ground clearance, the Audi ActiveSphere features Audi’s signature flat interior space, while a dynamic roofline evokes the essence of a sports car. The 285/55 tires are capable enough for any terrain, with a contour tread pattern emphasizing the ActiveSphere’s off-road appeal. The wheels are designed to open for optimal ventilation off-road and close for improved aerodynamic performance on regular roads.
Elegant and stylish camera mirrors mounted on the two front doors are specifically designed to minimize air resistance.
A significant feature at the front is the single frame, designed with transparent glass to provide passengers with a wide field of view while embodying the Audi brand facade. A broad, curved tailgate employs wide glass for optimal lighting effects, while the roof is transparent, flooding the interior with sunlight.
The ActiveSphere’s ground clearance is adjustable, designed for optimal off-road performance. It can be raised from a base height of 208mm by up to 40mm and lowered by the same amount for highway driving, offering major advantages in terms of center of gravity and aerodynamics during high-speed travel. The Audi ActiveSphere is the first vehicle to blend sportback hatchback characteristics with all-road design elements and technical features, which Audi refers to as the ‘Active Sportback.’
The Audi ActiveSphere Concept exhibits chameleon-like versatility, especially at the rear, allowing it to accommodate larger sports equipment while maintaining the elegance and sportiness of the sportback silhouette.
When necessary, the transparent rear window slides up to the roof’s height, allowing the lower vertical section of the rear glass to fold horizontally, unveiling sufficient cargo space. This area, known as the ActiveBed, is fitted with brackets for electric bikes and other equipment.
The initial impression of the spacious interior through the open doors is clarity and neatness. Vertical and horizontal surfaces blend at optimal angles, with warm lava red-colored seats and door and dashboard paneling forming a stunning centerpiece, contrasting sharply with the darker exterior. The four individual seats appear to float, extending from the center console.
In autonomous driving mode, the dashboard, steering wheel, and pedals disappear, creating a wide space in front of the driver, while the completely glass single frame offers a sense of openness. When the driver takes control, the dashboard reappears from a hidden area beneath the windshield, adjustable to an ideal position for the driver. Windows and seating can be adjusted using the MMI touchless controls located on the door.
The strength of the Audi ActiveSphere Concept lies in transcending boundaries. Its system, Audi Dimension, seamlessly integrates actual reality with the digital realm, creating an entirely new world.
By implementing this technology, the Audi ActiveSphere Concept elevates the digital experience. Initially, users are presented with information, which can then evolve into more specific details when they focus intently on the data.
With a gesture, the information shifts to interactive elements, enabling tailored content on mixed-reality headsets for both passengers and drivers. While the driver focuses on the road, passengers can preview or prepare for activities at their destination. Moreover, Audi ActiveSphere passengers can take their headsets outside, searching ski slopes for bike trails or ideal inclines.
The Audi ActiveSphere is built on Audi’s most innovative electric drive system, the Premium Platform Electric. Future PPE vehicles will focus on battery modules located between the axles, with the Audi ActiveSphere Concept featuring a 100kWh battery capacity. Its all-wheel-drive system delivers 325 kW of power and 720 Nm of torque, linking the front and rear wheels via a 5-link axle, equipped with Audi’s adaptive air suspension.
In future models featuring PPE, the key element will be 800V charging technology, enabling fast charging stations to boost power up to 270 kW in just a few minutes, providing over 300 km of range with around 10 minutes of charging. Additionally, the 100 kWh battery fitted in the Audi ActiveSphere takes about 25 minutes to charge from 5 percent to 80 percent.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr