Audi’s first digital artwork is inspired by 'grandsphere' concept

MANILA: Audi has partnered with Argentinian digital artist and designer Andres Reisinger to launch its first digital artwork at Design Miami.

Audi is an exclusive partner and active exhibitor at Design Miami. This event previously served as Audi’s venue for creative dialogue with peers, where the automaker explored mobility, technology, and design.

“Audi believes in working together with like-minded people to create meaningful and fascinating experiences that will shape premium mobility and design. Together with Andres Reisinger, we will explore a sphere beyond a physical installation, digitally re-interpreting interior design,” Audi Brand Head Henrik Wenders stated.

The digital artwork is inspired by the Audi grandsphere concept, which will also be exhibited at the event. This project showcases Audi’s commitment to define the future of luxury mobility. The Audi grandsphere concept is designed not only to be an automobile, but also as an “experience device.”

The Audi grandsphere concept is positioned to open up “new dimensions of freedom.” The luxury sedan can transform into an experiential realm for drivers, with no steering wheel, pedals, or instruments. It features driver-centric space, architecture, and features that were replicated by Reisinger in his artwork.

The grandsphere concept was unveiled by Audi at the IAA Mobility Event in 2021. The 17.6-ft. long grandsphere sedan incorporates the “luxury of private travel in the greatest of comfort” with a “comprehensive onboard experience offering.”

The Audi grandsphere concept features Level 4 automated driving.

With the maximum space provided in the front row, the Audi grandsphere concept becomes a first-class lounge with freer views and access to all the functions of the digital system integrated in the sedan.

The grandsphere concept is the second of three “sphere” concept cars from Audi. It showcases Audi’s claim that it is the leading automotive brand in terms of technological transformation and new integrative mobility offerings.

In August 2021, Audi introduced the electrically driven Audi skysphere concept. It is a spectacular version of an automatically driving GT that shifts into a self-driving sports car with a variable wheelbase. These two concept cars, together with the Audi urbansphere that was unveiled this year, are connected by their overall concept, which is the ability to drive automatically at level 4. Audi has partnered with CARIAD, the Volkswagen Group’s software research team, to develop this technology and launch it within the second half of the decade.

The three concept cars showcase Audi’s vision of “progressive luxury.” They feature a new design that ultimately reimagines the interior as the center of the vehicle and no longer subordinates the passenger experience to technical requirements. This is manifested in the flexible interior layout, the disappearance of the controls, the sheer vastness of the cabin, and the connection to new service offerings.

The “sphere” in the name indicates that the heart of the three concept cars is always the interior. The drive system and the handling are no longer the major specifications in this new generation of Audi cars. The “sphere” concept prioritizes the occupants’ experience while on the road. “Their needs and desires shape the space, the architecture, and the functions. With that reassessment, the design process itself changes. At the beginning of all discussions, the focus is directed toward the interior and its design. Only after that do we design the package, exterior lines, and proportions that shape the car into a total work of art, along with the technological premises,” Audi said in a statement.

The Audi grandsphere concept not only transforms the look of the conventional driver-centric cockpit into a commodious lounge, but it also ushers in new levels of freedom for all passengers. The Audi grandsphere concept offers every occupant with a wide array of options to use the space for individually variable experiences: communication or relaxation, work or isolation into a private sphere as desired.

The Audi grandsphere concept also provides a variety of service options related to the current trip. It can plan a spectacular scenic route and provide restaurant or hotel options. The autonomous concept also has an ability to pick up its passengers with information about their destination and independently manages parking and charging.

The Audi grandsphere also offers customized infotainment options, including integration of onboard streaming from music and video providers that have been used previously. “In an additional step, Audi will keep personalized and exclusive options available in the future — concerts, cultural events, or even sporting events that customers are invited to,” Audi stated.

The doors of the Audi gransphere concept are reversed, making front and back touch. The passengers are recognized with a pathway identification, an innovative feature that opens the doors and greets them with individually staged displays and ambient light. The driver and passenger positions are also automatically detected and the climate control settings and the seats are automatically adjusted for each occupant. Meanwhile, the infotainment system saves the occupants’ recently used services and resumes them once they return inside the car. For instance, if a passenger is watching a video on a tablet, it will be automatically played back over the display surface of the Audi grandsphere.

The concept car measures 17.6 feet long, 6.6 feet wide, and 4.6 feet high. It features a short overhang, a flat hood, and a windshield that projects far forward as the foremost limit of the large interior. Unlike many electric cars, the Audi grandsphere concept does not look futuristic at all as it highlights traditional design standards.

The Audi grandsphere concept is developed under the Premium Platform Electric (PPE), a technology platform created exclusively for battery-powered electric drive systems. The key element of PPE is a battery module between the axles that holds around 120kWh of energy.

The Audi grandsphere concept is equipped with two electric motors located on the front and rear axles. These motors use electronic coordination to generate all-wheel drive on demand and produce a balance between driving dynamics and energy efficiency. The two electric motors deliver a total power output of 530kW and a torque of 960Nm. The Audi grandsphere concept has the ability to accelerate from a standstill to 100kph in just over four seconds.

The concept car uses 800-volt charging technology, ensuring that the battery can be charged with up to 270 kW in a very short time at fast-charging stations. In less than 10 minutes, the battery can be charged to a level sufficient to power the car more than 300km.

For Audi, the grandsphere concept not only provides high-end experiences and innovative technologies, but it also illustrates the brand’s comprehensive approach to sustainability.

There will also be an exclusive panel talk with the artist at Design Miami. Reisenger will be joined by Audi of America Chief Marketing Officer Tara Rush, Studio Casas Founder Arch. Arthur Casas, and Audi Interior Design Team Leader Immo Redeker. The discussion will tackle new immersive space and experience design, ranging from digital spaces, new automotive mobility, and interior concepts.

Photos from Audi

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