Audi Urbansphere concept revealed
Thu, 14 Apr 2022
- Audi Urbansphere concept revealed
- Mobility concept has largest interior of any Audi
- Follows the Skysphere and Grandsphere all-electric concept cars
Audi says the Urbansphere has been designed "from the inside out" thanks to an interior that's clean, uncluttered and dominated by huge infotainment screens. It's the third model in an all-electric concept car line-up that also includes the Skysphere and Grandsphere (which previews the new A8).
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On the outside, the Urbansphere has an MPV like shape, with LEDs front and rear that light up in synchronisation when you lock and unlock the car. It's a big car – 5.51 meters long – with huge 24-inch wheels.
Inside, this is the roomiest car Audi has built to date and it will take full of advantage of having an easily packaged electric power train. That allows for a completely flat floor that, combined with the car's large windows and likely glass roof, make it feel like you've brought the outside in. Getting in and out should be easy, too, thanks to the car's pillarless door openings and rear doors that hinge from the back for unobstructed access to the passenger.
This living room-like interior is said to offer a look at the future of Audi’s design – the Urbansphere was built specifically for Chinese megacities where space is in short supply.
The Urbansphere will wring out your stress like you wring water from cloth. A full autonomous mode means the steering wheel, pedals and displays can disappear from view while you leave the car to handle the driving.
Which you'll be happy to do. The Urbansphere has back seats that recline by 60 degrees, with leg rests that stretch out to give you support. Or you can swivel the back seats to face each other for face-to-face meetings.
Sound stressful? You needn't worry, the Audi can scan your face to detect stress and – if things are judged to be getting a little too intense – it can take action to relax you, dropping down an OLED monitor from the headlining to watch a movie, say. Or preparing you a glass of the cool stuff from the onboard water dispenser.
The Urbansphere has a battery of around 120kWh in size giving it a range of 466 miles – one less thing to get stressed about – and a 800V charging speed means you can add 186 miles in around 10 minutes at a fast charger.
With two electric motors producing 401PS combined through all four wheels, you can expect the Urbansphere to get from 0-62mph in around five seconds. Although the front motor can be decoupled for improved efficiency. Factor in rear-wheel steering, which will give the big Audi the manoeuvrability of a family car, and comfy air suspension, and there aren't many cars we'd rather spend time in.
No bad thing as you can expect much of the technology seen in the Urbansphere to filter down to Audi's production models in coming years, starting with the new A8 which is due out in 2025.
