Audi has recently been showcasing its vision for the design and technology of future electric vehicles through its “sphere family” of concepts. The latest addition to this family is the Activesphere, which features a raised four-door coupe design with generous ground clearance, off-road tires, and the ability to transform into a pickup.
The Activesphere also comes equipped with mixed reality glasses for the driver and all passengers, allowing them to use Audi’s futuristic “dimensions” system.
The Activesphere has a raised four-door coupe stance, which is similar to the EV equivalent of a future A5 Sportback with the Allroad treatment. The aerodynamic silhouette is paired with 22-inch wheels and grippy tires, while the bodywork features plenty of protective cladding.
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The model also has large glass surfaces and transparent areas on the singleframe grille and above the rocker panels, which offer a greater view of the surroundings. Additionally, the rear glass can slide above the roof, exposing the cargo space and transforming the Activesphere into a pickup.
The Activesphere is designed to be a distant successor to the company’s first Allroad wagon from the 2000s. It boasts an adaptive air suspension system that can raise and lower the vehicle by 1.5 inches (40 millimeters) from its standard position, giving it a maximum ground clearance of 9.76 inches (248 mm). This makes it ideal for off-roading and comfortable cruising.
In addition to its suspension, the Activesphere also has unique features that enhance its off-road capabilities. One of these is the transparent glass surfaces on the bottom of the doors and in the front grille area. These allow for better visibility when navigating rough off-road terrain. The press release also mentions the Activesphere’s approach and departure angles of 18.9 degrees and 28.1 degrees respectively. While these angles are noteworthy, they are not as impressive as those of a standard Jeep Wrangler, which typically have approach angles of around 40 degrees and departure angles of approximately 36 degrees, depending on the trim level.
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The company describes the interior as the “epitome of clarity and tidiness” and it features a steering wheel instrument cluster and pedals that can disappear when the car is in autonomous mode. The four individual seats are suspended like extensions of the high, full-length center console and seem to float in mid-air.
One of the most innovative features of the Activesphere is its mixed-reality headsets that project all sorts of information for the driver and passengers, like navigation prompts or multimedia overlays, all of which is interactive, as in the people wearing the headsets can point their fingers in the air and simulate button presses and knob rotations. The virtual control system moves towards the user so that he or she can interact comfortably with the user interface, regardless of sitting position.
In autonomous driving mode, the entire dashboard structure swivels and disappears, along with the steering wheel and pedals, providing a great view of the road ahead through the transparent grille. The Activesphere is based on the PPE architecture and has a generous footprint measuring 4.98m long, 2.07m wide, and 1.60m tall, with a wheelbase of 2.97m. The concept is fitted with dual electric motors producing a combined 436 horsepower and 720 Nm of torque, and comes with an 800 Volt battery pack that has a capacity of 100 kWh and a driving range of over 600 km.
While the Activesphere is not expected to directly evolve into a production vehicle, some of its features may find their way into future EVs. Audi will unveil its first PPE-based models in 2023, gradually expanding its range before becoming an EV-only automaker by 2033.
The Activesphere was designed and conceived at Audi’s design studio in Malibu, California and it is not intended to go into production. Instead, it is one of the series of concept cars, including the Skysphere, Grandsphere, and Urbansphere, that the German brand wants to use to show how they envision the future of the car: all-electric, autonomous where possible, and with a clear purpose.
