With the introduction of the Skysphere concept, Audi has provided the first look of its next-generation design language. The Skysphere idea was unveiled at Pebble Beach's Monterey Car Week.
The Grandsphere will be unveiled at the Munich Motor Show in September, followed by the Urbansphere in 2022.
It is a two-door electric convertible designed on Level 4 autonomy principles. Level 4 autonomy denotes the car's ability to drive autonomously on roads with the appropriate infrastructure.
Audi's design lab in California was in charge of the concept's creation. A variant of the Horch 853 roadster manufactured in the late 1930s by one of the four manufacturers that combined to create Auto Union was a significant inspiration for the Skysphere's size and proportions. The Skysphere retains the typical grand touring machine's enlarged front hood. The head of Audi's Malibu design studio, Gael Buzyn, stated that this was done to provide a "traditional sense of prestige." “An electric powertrain offers us a lot of freedom, so we can do a lot of [other] things,” he continued, “but that wasn't the exercise here.”
The Skysphere's proportions are vintage, yet its design is forward-thinking. The surface of the grille, however, is constructed of white LEDs that may show changing light sequences, including functional components like as indicators, rather of delivering cooling air to an engine radiator. Another LED display spans the width of the vehicle's back end.
in terms of dimensions In its full size, the Skysphere is 5190mm long, rests on huge 23in wheels, and weighs about 1800kg.
The electric driving components, including the charger and converter, are housed in the 'engine bay,' while the boot is meant to carry two custom-built golf bags.
To provide a more engaging driving experience, the wheelbase is lowered to 4940mm and the ground clearance is decreased by 10mm in Sport driving mode. The extra length is achieved by extending the portion in front of the A-pillar.
In the case of the Skysphere's interior, Audi has built it to provide both grand tourer-level comfort in autonomous mode and a more driver-focused experience as needed.
The interior design is influenced by art deco buildings from the 1930s. The chairs are upholstered with sustainably produced microfibre and are intended to provide comfort similar to that of a first-class airline cabin.
The dashboard is dominated by a modern touch-sensitive panel that spans 1415mm broad and 180mm high and serves as the primary interface for all car functions and infotainment systems.
Audi stressed that the Skysphere, as a concept, is not based on a specific production car platform. The Skysphere is propelled by a 624bhp and 553lb-ft of torque electric motor placed on the back axle and transmitting all of its power to the rear wheels. It can go from 0 to 62 mph in 4.0 seconds.
To optimize the center of gravity, the battery units are primarily located behind the cabin.
According to Audi, the battery capacity will be greater than 80kWh, allowing for a potential range of 310 miles on the WLTP test. There are double-wishbone axles at both ends of the automobile, as well as a steer-by-wire steering system that allows varied ratios and settings to be readily programmed. The Skysphere also comes equipped with the most recent version of Audi's adjustable air suspension technology.