Audi has revealed the fourth and final model in its series of ‘sphere’ concept vehicles.
The Audi activesphere follows the skysphere roadster, grandsphere GT and urbansphere MPV.
This one’s very different, though, as it’s part crossover, part pickup truck.
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Let’s kick things off by talking numbers.
It’s obviously electric, so it’s got motors on each axle, which combine to produce 435 bhp and 531 lb-ft of torque, capable of 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 4.9 seconds.
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It’s got a 100 kWh battery with a range of 600 kilometers (372 miles) and 800-volt charging technology for charging rates of up to 270 kWh.
Audi says that, in less than 25 minutes, the 100 kWh battery will charge from five to 80 percent.
Ok, now we’ve got the numbers out of the way, it’s time to talk about what the Audi activesphere really is.
In a nutshell, it’s a four-door crossover-coupe with a versatile body design.
It’s got the looks of a sports car, but the activesphere’s impressive ground clearance and the fact it’s sitting on 22-inch off-road wheels highlight its talents for off-road use.
The approach angle – relevant for off-road drives – is 18.9 degrees, the departure angle 28.1 degrees.
The Audi activesphere’s ground clearance is variable; it can be increased 40mm from the basic height of 208mm, or lowered by the same amount when driving on-road.
Off road is where its creators see it being used most of the time, that’s why there’s a ski rack integrated into the roof.
The Sportback rear can turn into an open cargo bed for carrying recreational equipment such as e-bikes or water and winter sports gear, too.
Sounds crazy, right?
That’s not the half, as the Audi activesphere also features tech that we’re unlikely to see anytime soon.
To start with, it’s got autonomous driving capability, so when the driver hands over the controls (quite literally), the steering wheel, pedals and dashboard all fold away.
Four headsets – stowed in a console in the roof – allow occupants to engage with what the German automaker calls the “Audi dimensions.”
Basically, the system layers information and controls over what you can see and physically interact with in the real world.
Things like vehicle status, navigation, and entertainment are all included in the augmented reality interface.
The Audi Activesphere concept’s augmented reality really pushes technology to its limits. You can read more about it here.
That said, seeing the Audi activesphere has given us a greater insight into the electrified future of the brand, and some of the technologies it’s developing.
