Audi to present future 'sphere' concepts, past rally racers at Monterey Car Week

MANILA: Audi will bring the future of premium mobility and electrification to the Monterey Car Week from August 18 to 21. The three "sphere" concept cars from the German automaker will be on display, together with the unique Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron and the first, race-winning five-cylinder models that established quattro all-wheel drive.

The 17.6-foot-long grandsphere automobile concept, likened to a first-class journey on a private jet built for the road, blends the comforts of private travel with extensive onboard experience possibilities.

New levels of freedom are now attainable thanks to Level 4 autonomous driving. The grandsphere's interior, when in autonomous mode, transforms into a room without a steering wheel, pedals, or screens. The front seats become a first-class lounge with maximum space and access to a comprehensive digital environment.

The Audi grandsphere, the second of Audi's three "sphere" concept cars, is very significant for the future of the company. Future Audi production models within the next several years will incorporate the technologies and design features seen in the grandsphere.

The majority of the comfort-focused amenities and features of a traditional sedan are now frequently seen integrated into the rear seating area. In the Level 4 autonomous drive mode of the grandsphere sedan concept, the steering wheel and pedals vanish, allowing the front part of the cabin to become a free zone with excellent visibility through the big front and side windows.

High-resolution projections onto internal surfaces take the place of conventional gauges and display displays. A sensor bar located beneath the projection surfaces, haptic feedback controls, or sophisticated eye tracking and motion controls can all be used to operate the projected display.

Representing Audi's future vision for the progressive luxury market, the Audi skysphere concept, a two-door convertible driven by electricity, was unveiled as the first model in Audi's new line of concept cars.

The inside of the skysphere transforms into an interactive area and a platform for compelling experiences as a result of the integration of autonomous driving, a revolutionary rethink of the concept of a traditional interior, and a seamless digital ecosystem.

Audi is changing the definition of luxury in the future — it's no longer simply about driving — as demonstrated by the skysphere concept. The Audi Skysphere concept car has a changeable wheelbase that allows for two completely different driving experiences: a grand touring experience and a sporty one.

Electric motors and a complex mechanism with the skysphere's body and frame components are used for its changing wheelbase. The body and frame components fit together and allow for a 250 millimeter change in the outside length of the car in addition to the wheelbase itself. To improve comfort and driving dynamics, the ground clearance of the car is also changed by 10 millimeters.

The Audi urbansphere was first intended for usage in congested Chinese megacities, but the idea may be used to any other urban area in the world. The concept car provides the most internal space of any Audi to date in these crowded cities, and it is intended for use where personal space is especially hard to come by.

With the help of technological advancements and digital services that engage all five senses and provide a completely new level of experience, the urbansphere offers more than space. During the time spent in traffic, the roomy car doubles as a mobile office and a lounge, creating a third living area.

The S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron dispels any misconceptions about whether an electric vehicle cannot be exciting and representative of contemporary performance. It is modernized, electrified, and inspired by the legendary design of the 1985 Audi Sport quattro S1. This updated version of the original S1 quattro has all-wheel drive, dual electric motors, a carbon fiber chassis, and the complete set of safety regulations set forth by the FIA, the world's foremost motorsports regulating body.

This S1 e-tron quattro concept, which was made in a single unit and was created especially for American drift artist Ken Block, will be used in his next "Electrikhana" episode of the well-known gymkhana series.

Fans will be able to see the original Audi Sport quattro S1, which Walter Röhrl used to set the record at the Pikes Peak Hillclimb in 1987 in just 10 minutes and 48 seconds on gravel, in addition to this thrilling concept. Despite the fact that the unpaved portion of the road into the sky has subsequently been paved, it continues to remain the fastest time.

Along with the RS e-tron GT, which will electrify aficionados, race-winning vehicles from the illustrious Audi five-cylinder era will be on display for enthusiasts to view in Group B Rally, IMSA GTO, and SCCR Trans Am.

Because there were no limitations on vehicle weight or turbo boost levels from 1982 to 1984, the Group B era of rally racing is regarded as the peak of the World Rally Championship (WRC).

The Group B Audi quattro A2 won the driver's championship and the manufacturer's championship in 1984 thanks to the 360 horsepower produced by its five-cylinder racing engine. Audi left the rally in 1986, although the quattro technology and Audi's five -cylinder engine continued to be used in sports car racing in North America, specifically in the SCAA Trans Am and IMSA GTO series

For homologation requirements, the Audi 200 quattro Trans-Am utilized a production five-cylinder engine in 1988. This engine produced up to 510 horsepower from a 2.1-liter displacement, or an amazing 242 horsepower per liter.

The Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO, which had 720 horsepower from a 2.1-liter five-cylinder race engine, dominated the American touring car scene in 1989. From the 13 races, Audi would come away with eight victories as champions Hans Stuck, Walter Röhrl, and Hurley Haywood cemented the reputation of the venerable quattro drivetrain and the Audi five-cylinder engine.

The RS e-tron GT has a net output of 590hp and can overboost to 637hp, all of which matched to a. 612 lb-ft total system torque. As a result, the RS e-tron GT has a top track speed of 250 kph and can accelerate from zero to 100 kph in 3.1 seconds. With zero direct emissions, the RS e-tron GT can accelerate just as quickly as the V10-powered Audi R8 supercar.

With the introduction of the Q4 e-tron SUV and Q4 Sportback e-tron, Audi will offer the most comprehensive lineup of fully electric vehicles in the United States. This is part of Audi's ongoing commitment to have an entirely electric model range by 2033.

Photos from Audi

Also read: Ken Block's Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron to make US debut