After the skysphere concept presented in August, Audi unveils at the Munich Motor Show the second of its three studies foreshadowing the future of the brand. It is called grandsphere, and represents the next generation of electric and autonomous limousine. The future A8? Possible…
A few weeks after the official presentation of the skysphere concept, Audi unveils in Munich the second study of its trio derived from the Artemis project. Called grandsphere, the model comes in the form of a large electric and autonomous limousine. It could inspire the next generation of the Audi A8, scheduled for 2023.
TO READ. Audi A8. A threatened species. Back on a saga!
A limousine dedicated to autonomous passenger transport
With 5.35 m long and 2 m wide and 1.39 m high, the Audi grandsphere is one of the concepts imposing by its size. The front is rather classic, with a short overhang, thin optics and a grille that evokes the usual Singleframe of the brand. Nevertheless, the profile is much more astonishing with a long wheelbase (3.19 m, more than that of the current A8 L) and a stretched stern that would almost give an air of break to the study. The very streamlined roof ends with a spoiler on the rear window. These unprecedented proportions were dictated by the design, which is not traditional. Indeed, Audi has chosen to work first on the interior and then adapt the exterior. The brand claims that transmission and handling are no longer priorities for these new generation studies, which focus instead on space on board and autonomous driving.
To climb aboard precisely, large doors with opposing opening open using an innovative passenger identification system. Thanks to the scanner, the passenger’s specific parameters are found: driving position, air conditioning temperature, last program broadcast on the screen of its electronic devices, etc. The inverted doors eliminate the central pillar and offer a great feeling of space. This is reinforced by thin seats and a very horizontal dashboard which extends towards the doors. The physical controls are reduced to their simplest expression, like that of the air conditioning which is housed on each door directly, with a dial displaying the temperature.
An interior designed for “digital detox”
The treatment of large glass surfaces is also special, and intended for series production thereafter. The side windows take a tip from the AI: CON concept from 2017, with an upper half sloping in line with the panoramic roof to give an impression of volume. Regarding the seats, the study is seen as a 2 + 2 with a padded rear seat which only serves as an extra. Here, there is no longer any question for the boss, who usually travels in the A8 with a driver, to sit in the back. : the best is at the front, especially when the steering wheel and pedals are stored in the dashboard.
With its series of “sphere” concepts, Audi is emphasizing its level 4 autonomous driving system. As a result, the driving-related controls disappear from the passenger compartment, leaving only a dashboard for materials. natural like wood or wool. Another novelty is the end of excessive screens. Here they are in fact information projected directly onto the wooden surfaces of the dashboard, facing the driver or passengers depending on the mode. Enough to allow a ” digital detox According to the brand, even if the projections turn into a real cinema screen or workspace for the passengers when the autonomous driving mode is activated.
Two engines and 750 km of autonomy
The grandsphere concept is based on the large PPE (Premium Platfom Electric) platform shared with other luxury models from the VW group. The study is equipped with active air suspension and quattro all-wheel drive, thanks to its two electric motors. Placed on each axle, they offer cumulative power of 530 kW, equivalent to 710 hp. The torque is 960 Nm, and can reach 100 km / h in just over four seconds. The battery, placed between the two axles, has a capacity of around 120 kWh and offers a range of 750 km according to the manufacturer. For recharging, the use of the 800 volt system (common to the Porsche Taycan and the Audi e-tron GT in particular) makes it possible to recover 300 km of range in about ten minutes. A 5 to 80% full would thus be folded in less than 30 min.
Unveiled at the Munich Motor Show in Germany, the Audi grandsphere will be on display from September 7 to 12. It allows us to imagine in part what the future of Audi will be, and in particular the brand’s large sedans such as the A8 which will be replaced in 2023. The limousine with rings should make major changes by switching to electric.
