The Audi Grandsphere concept is a first-class lounge

MANILA: Audi has unveiled the what it calls its Grandsphere concept study at the IAA Mobility Event 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. The interior is considered a “spacious sphere of experience” without a steering wheel, pedals, or displays. With the maximum space provided in the front row, it becomes a first-class lounge with freer views and access to all the functions of the digital system integrated in the Grandsphere sedan.

In a statement, Audi UK Director Andrew Doyle said, “The Grandsphere concept is a clear signal of intent from Audi as to where we are heading with our electrification strategy. A glimpse of how we plan to rethink and reshape the future of the luxury segment, the Grandsphere blends cutting-edge technology with our next-generation design language to create a truly exciting vision of what's to come.”

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.

Last month, 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 will be unveiled in 2022, 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 explained in a statement.

The 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 offers every occupant with a wide array of options to use the space for individually variable experiences: communication or relaxation, work or isolation into private sphere as desired. Audi considers the Grandsphere concept not just as an automobile, but also as an “experience device.”

The Audi Grandsphere 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 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 the projects far forward as the foremost limit of the large interior. Unlike many electric cars, the Grandsphere does not look futuristic at all as it highlights traditional beauty standards.

The Audi Grandsphere 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 Grandsphere 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 grandsphere 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 up to a level sufficient to power the car more than 300 km.

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.

Photos from Audi

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