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September 8, 2021
Audi Unveils the Grand Sphere Concept, a Luxury Sedan for the Future | Audi
Audi Grandsphere Concept
Audi Unveils the Future-Forward Luxury Sedan, the Grand Sphere Concept
On September 2, Audi announced the "Grand Sphere Concept," a concept model for a luxury sedan.
Featuring Technology and Design to be Replicated in Future Audi Models
The Grand Sphere Concept is an EV luxury sedan that offers a private space with the highest level of comfort, reminiscent of first-class airplane seating, and a comprehensive in-car experience, supporting Level 4 autonomous driving.
The body dimensions are generous at 5.35 meters long, 2 meters wide, and 1.39 meters high, with a wheelbase of 3.19 meters. The exterior features an electric vehicle-like style with short overhangs, a flat hood, and a front windshield moved forward. The front end takes on a flat, hexagonal shape through an innovative interpretation of Audi's signature Singleframe grille. The doors are coach doors without a B-pillar, and the vehicle is equipped with large 23-inch wheels.
The interior, surrounded by large glass surfaces, a wide windshield, and a transparent roof, is characterized by its open space, lacking a steering wheel, pedals, or a conventional dashboard. It is configured as a 2+2 seater. When the driver or passengers enter, personalized displays and ambient lighting welcome them. The system then automatically detects their position to adjust climate control, seat position, and other comfort features.
While the rear seats were traditionally the most relaxing place in a car, with the Grand Sphere Concept's Level 4 autonomous driving, the front seats become first class. Between the seats, two glasses and an elegant cooler for soft drinks are equipped (normally hidden in the trim). The seats can be reclined to 40° for a relaxed posture while enjoying the infotainment system, or to a full resting position at 60°.
Furthermore, when the seats are moved to the rearmost position, various functions can be controlled via eye-tracking, gesture control, and voice control. The sound from the speakers is not audible to other occupants, ensuring a completely private space.
Moreover, until the driving functions are activated, the black screen displaying various information on the instrument panel is not visible, achieving the highest level of "digital detox" without being overwhelmed by digital devices.
In manual driving mode, however, the seats can be raised, allowing the driver to fully control the car.
The quattro all-wheel-drive system, an on-demand system utilizing the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) developed exclusively for electric drive systems, generates a maximum output of 530 kW and a peak torque of 960 Nm from two electric motors, delivering performance figures such as a 0-100 km/h acceleration in 4.0 seconds.
The battery module, with a capacity of approximately 120 kWh, is mounted between the front and rear axles. It can charge enough energy for over 300 km of driving in just 10 minutes using a rapid charging station with an output of up to 270 kW. Even if the charge level drops to 5%, it can be restored to 80% in 25 minutes. The driving range exceeds 750 km, comparable to internal combustion engine vehicles, making it suitable for long-distance travel.
The technology and design adopted in this concept car are expected to be replicated in future Audi models.
