Audi AG

Audi AG

 

With the Urbansphere Concept, Audi has presented a new concept study for an electric model of the future. The interior in particular is designed for “traffic in the megacities of China” – with the largest and most spacious interior of an Audi to date.

As the Germany based company reports, the focus of the concept was on China, but it is also suitable for all other metropolitan areas around the world and in those urban regions where personal space is particularly scarce,

Audi wants to offer its solvent customers a correspondingly large personal space on wheels – or use the concept study to explore how great the demand actually is. For the first time, potential customers in China also took part in the development process and contributed their own wishes and experiences to the creation (“co-creation”).

"In order to meet the mobility needs of our Chinese customers, the Audi design studios in Beijing and Ingolstadt worked closely together to develop the Audi Urbansphere Concept," says Audi CEO Markus Duesmann.

 

The Design

Design

Audi AG

 

The Urbansphere Concept can best be described as a crossover. It's not quite a big SUV, but it's not a van either, even though it might look like one. With the short front and the A-pillar pulled far forward to maximize the interior space, the study comes as close to a van as any Audi before it.

With a length of 18 ft and a width of 6.5 ft, the Urbansphere Concept is not really a huge contribution to the traffic turnaround.The car is intended to be a modern form of a luxury sedan - just with more space at the top, as can be assumed with a height of 5.8 ft. It also is not intended to mobilize the masses and solve traffic problems, but rather to pamper the paying clientele.

 

The Power

Power

Audi AG

 

As in the other Audi concept study Grandsphere Concept, a 120 kWh battery is installed between the axles. One electric motor each on the front and rear axles achieve a system output of 295 kW.

The power can be regulated as required in the new Urbansphere. According to Audi, the front axle drive can also be completely deactivated in favor of reduced friction and thus lower energy consumption when coasting.

The 800-volt battery can be charged with up to 270 kW, and in ten minutes there should be enough power for up to 185 miles in the battery. According to Audi, the charging process from five to 80 percent takes less than 25 minutes.

The electric drive and charging were more of a basis than a focus during development. However, the long wheelbase and the flat battery were a great help: As Audi states, the study was "consistently designed from the inside out, around its passengers". Therefore, the 11 ft wheelbase is the most important dimension of the car.

 

The Interior

The interior

Audi AG

 

The interior of the Audi Urbansphere is not subordinate to the classic dictate that as many seats, shelves, and functional elements as possible should be squeezed into a car, limited by driving physics. It primarily follows the need of the passengers to experience generous space as a distinctive comfort factor.

The seats can be rotated to enable conversation in the seating area and there are relaxation and entertainment modes available. Audi worked on a bunch of new tech such as the sound zones of the seats, the built-in water dispenser, and the wide cinema screen.

Much of this will remain a study for the time being, but the overall direction with the customer focus should shape other e-models from the manufacturer. "In order to make e-mobility even more attractive, we think of it holistically and in terms of customer needs," says Duesmann.

 

Conclusion

More than before, the product alone is not decisive. Audi is therefore creating a comprehensive ecosystem with car-related services. In addition to the aforementioned Grandsphere Concept sedan study, Audi also gave a preview of a luxurious e-convertible with the Skysphere Concept last year.

As we said before, this is a concept study for Audi to show where the company is headed towards. However it does have a huge chance of becoming reality one day. Like all the cars before Audi Urbansphere will need protection when it does come out. You should definitely check out the Coverking’s catalog for custom covers and accessories, they have the best chance of carrying the best protective equipment as soon as the production starts.

 

Resources

 

Tankut Basar

Tankut Basar is an ARA (American Rally Assoc.) Racing Driver and an FIA Bronze Category License Holder. His passion for driving began with karting like most racers. He started racing internationally at the age of 22. Tankut loves everything car-related and will keep enjoying the drive until the end.

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