Audi’s new concept: Activesphere is introduced!

Audi introduced the Audi activesphere concept, the fourth of the globe concept model series. Introduced by the brand in 2021, the Audi skysphere roadster offers a four-door crossover coupé model with a versatile body design, following the Audi grandsphere sedan and Audi urbansphere concepts in April 2022.

4.98 meters long car, showing ground clearance and off-road capability 22 inch big wheels shows that it is more than just a luxury-class sports car.

The Activesphere’s Sportback rear can be transformed into an open cargo area (“active back”) at the push of a button. In this way, it offers the possibility to carry e-bikes or water and winter sports equipment.

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Combining SUV practicality and offroad capabilities crossover

Audi activesphere proves to be above the standards in versatility, with a drive system and suspension that are equally adept at both on and off-road.

The steering wheel and pedals allow the driver to actively control the car, while also offering autonomous driving for more comfortable time on the road.

With its classic proportions and lines, the model, which has a dynamic and elegant coupé appearance, can transform into a premium pickup in just a few seconds.

activesphere, Audi Design Studio in MalibuCombining the elegance of an Audi Sportback, the practicality of an SUV and true offroad capabilities in a new crossover was designed as

Activesphere combines the sustainability, dynamics and long-distance capability of electric vehicles with a range of over 600 km and extremely fast charging times thanks to 800 volt technology.

Autonomous driving on suitable terrain offers drivers and passengers a new level of freedom that can be used in a variety of ways in the active area, thanks to the new display and operating technology.

The innovative operating concept Audi Dimensions combines the physical and virtual worlds by displaying digital content in real-time in the field of view of passengers.

Everything is hidden inside the vehicle.

High-tech Augmented Reality glasses provide a view of the real environment and route, while simultaneously displaying 3D content and interactive elements, and can be configured separately for drivers and passengers.

This means that driving-related information such as driving status and navigation can be viewed by the driver. Inside, the control panels and other virtual screens are hidden in a minimalist design, invisible to the naked eye.

Passengers inside the vehicle cannot see touch-sensitive areas such as control panels and virtual screens with the naked eye, but thanks to Augmented Reality-AR optics and headsets, they can react and function in real time when they touch these areas.

elegance at first sight

Its dimensions of 4.98 meters long, 2.07 meters wide and 1.60 meters high make the Audi activesphere concept a member of the premium segment.

The model, which has the run-out of an electric car (2.97 m), offers maximum legroom for passengers. From every angle, the Audi activesphere concept looks monolithic, as if it had come out of a single mold.

Large 22-inch wheels and striking ground clearance, the flat cabin typical of Audi models and a dynamic roof arch lend the vehicle unmistakably sports car proportions.

The 285/55 tires have enough room for all terrains and their contoured tread emphasizes the activesphere’s off-road capability. Wheels with movable segments open for optimum ventilation in off-road use and close for optimum aerodynamics when driving on the road.

The camera mirrors on the two front doors are also specially designed to minimize friction.

Glass surfaces form an important part of the body of the vehicle. The front area of ​​Activesphere is designed as a clear glass to provide passengers with a wide view in front of the vehicle and has the brand face Singleframe.

The glass surfaces at the bottom of the doors seem to blur the boundary between the natural world and the interior when in terrain mode. The windows in the wide, curved tailgate provide optimum illumination, while the roof is also transparent, making the interior extremely bright.

The exterior speaks specifically to the vehicle’s off-road capability, and voluminous wheel arches enliven the variable, electronically controlled quattro all-wheel drive.

ground clearance of the Audi activesphere; It can be increased by 40 millimeters from the base height of 208 millimeters during off-road use or lowered by the same amount for road driving.

Active Sportback instead of Allroad

The variable ground clearance is reminiscent of an Audi model family: the Audi allroad, which has had a loyal fan base in the C and later B segments since 2000.

The Activesphere is the first model of a sportback car to incorporate the design elements and technical equipment of an allroad. That’s why Audi calls this new body variant the “Active Sportback” as opposed to the allroad.

Sportback and Active Back – variable architecture

Especially the rear section of the Audi activesphere concept reflects the active lifestyle of its customers and makes it possible to transport things such as sports equipment and materials without compromising the attractiveness and sportiness of the Sportback silhouette.

If necessary, the lower, vertical section of the rear is folded horizontally to open up a large cargo area called the Active Back.

The rear’s lateral surfaces and C-pillars remain stable to maintain the dynamic silhouette, while a motorized bulkhead opens behind the rear seats to isolate the cabin.

Now the starting point is the interior

The common name component of Audi skysphere, grandsphere, urbansphere and now activesphere represents the interior.

Kilowatts and km/h or lateral acceleration are no longer at the forefront of the design features for this new generation of cars. The starting point is now the interior, where passengers live and experience while traveling.

People-oriented, functional and minimalist interior

The vertical and horizontal surfaces inside the Audi activesphere, together with their right angles, dominate the architecture of the space. The interiors feature horizontal contrasting colors, with dark colors (black, anthracite and dark gray) in the foreground above and below the central zone. The four individual seats hang like extensions of the center console.

While the Audi activesphere concept is driving in autonomous mode, the instrument panel, steering wheel and pedals disappear in an invisible position. Especially in the first row of seats, a large area opens up from the front end of the active area in front of the driver.

If the driver wishes to take over the steering wheel, the instrument cluster, together with the steering wheel, rotates outward from its flat position under the windshield.

The sense of architecture and spaciousness in the Audi activesphere is largely determined by the tall, full-length center console. Storage spaces and a cooled or heated in-car bar are also available. Four AR sets for the AR system are kept within easy reach for all passengers in a console located on the roof.

Audi dimensions – crossing worlds

For the first time, the Audi activesphere concept model combines physical reality with digital space. The centerpiece of the new system is the innovative AR glasses and headset, available separately for each driver and passenger.

The unmatched optical sensitivity, highest resolution and excellent contrast offered in the Audi activesphere concept bring control surfaces and displays invisible to the naked eye into view while the user is at the steering wheel.

In other words, the user can initially view virtual content that is informational only. If the user focuses on the information with their eyes, the system also displays more detailed information. When the user is focused and interacts with gestures, for example, the content becomes an active and interactive element.

The user interface reacts to changes in real time, intuitively following the user’s gaze to control functions.

Elements needed in the uncluttered, spacious interior of the Audi activesphere appear only when users need them and can be operated intuitively as in the real world: like the climate control or the entertainment and voice interactive panel above the speaker.

The possibilities of this technology are many; For example, in terrain mode, high-resolution 3D topography graphics can be projected onto real terrain and information about navigation and destination can be displayed.

The connectivity and ecosystem between AR kit users and the car opens up countless possibilities, even outside the car. For example, today navigation routes or vehicle maintenance can be prepared on a laptop or tablet from your living room, while in the future AR technology and AR kit will be the only hardware required.

Conversely, the activesphere occupant can take their headset out of the car and onto the ski slope to help navigate the bike trail or find the ideal descent when skiing downhill.

PPE – customized drive technology

Due to its dimensions and performance level, the Audi activesphere concept is suitable for the use of Audi’s most innovative electric drive system: Premium Platform Electric, or PPE for short.

Like the Audi grandsphere and Audi urbansphere concept cars, the activesphere concept uses this modular system for series production. The first Audi production vehicles based on PPE are scheduled to be presented one after another before the end of 2023.

PPE has been designed specifically for electric propulsion systems and therefore can take full advantage of the technology to improve the driving characteristics of cars, economy and package options.

A key element of the future PPE fleet is a battery module between the axles; The Audi activesphere concept stores around 100 kWh of energy. Using the entire vehicle width between the axles makes it possible to achieve a relatively flat layout for the battery.

The electric motors on the front and rear axles of the all-wheel drive Audi activesphere concept together provide a total power of 325 kW and a system torque of 720 Newton meters. The front and rear wheels are linked by a five-link axle.

Fast charging with 800 volts

The heart of the drive technology in all future PPE models will be 800-volt charging technology. This allows the battery, like the Audi e-tron GT quattro, to be charged up to 270 kW in a very short time at fast charging stations.

This revolutionary technology will enter the high-volume mid-range and luxury segments for the first time with PPE.

PPE technology allows charging times that approach a conventional refueling time. Just 10 minutes will be enough time to get the energy to power the vehicle over 300 kilometers.

And in less than 25 minutes, a 100 kWh battery charges from 5 percent to 80 percent. Audi activesphere, with a range of more than 600 kilometers, is extremely suitable for long distances.

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