Audi has just unveiled an exciting new electric car, that is the very first member of a new family of concept vehicles. The Audi ‘Skysphere’ is the new electric-powered, two-door convertible whose lines lead directly to Audi’s future forward, progressive design. With it, the Audi brand is illustrating a distinct vision for the progressive luxury segment of the future, in which the car’s interior becomes an interactive space and the vehicle itself creates nothing but captivating experiences, each and every drive. This is made possible by the model’s innovative digital technology, autonomous driving system and revolutionary interior and exterior design.
About The Audi Skysphere:
The all new Audi Skysphere shows how the brand is redefining luxury in the future, this model is not just about driving… It has been designed to offer its occupants two different driving experiences: a grand touring experience and a sports experience. With just the touch of a button, the driver can take advantage of their freedom and choose their own desired driving experience.
“Sports” Mode: This mode features a spectacular technical reduced wheelbase, allowing for maximum power and potential. The vehicle’s ground clearance is adjusted by 10 millimetres in this mode to enhance comfort and driving dynamics. The car’s innovative rear-wheel steering ensures that the vehicle remains extremely agile at all times, despite its dimensions.
“Grand Touring” Mode: This mode will make the driver and passenger feel like they’re being chauffeured around in a 5.19-meter GT autonomous vehicle. Passengers can enjoy the sky and the scenery, with maximum legroom available, and use the services offered by a seamlessly integrated digital ecosystem. Meanwhile, the Skysphere automatically keeps an eye on the road and traffic with a sensor system and drives the occupants safely to their destination.
Thanks to Audi’s ability to integrate digital services, the possibilities are nearly endless when it comes to the Skysphere. The vehicle also takes care of everyday tasks that go far beyond just a classic car ride. For example, the autonomous Audi Skysphere concept picks up its passengers with information about their current destination and has the capability to independently handle both parking and charging.
Performance & Drive System:
The electric motor positioned on the powered rear axle is responsible for delivering almighty power to the wheels of the Skysphere. With 465 kilowatts of power and 750 Newton meters of torque, you can have an exciting and easy time with the roadster, only weighing around 1,800 kilograms. The weight distribution of around 60% on the powered rear axle results in ample traction and acceleration, from 0 to 100 km/h in just a matter of four seconds, if required.
The Audi skysphere’s battery modules are primarily positioned behind the model’s cabin, an ideal configuration for the car’s centre of gravity and agility. Further modules can be found between the car seats in the centre tunnel of the interior, another position chosen in favour of dynamics. The battery’s capacity is expected to be more than 80 kWh, giving the car a highly impressive range of more than 500 kilometres according to the WLTP standard.
“New technologies like electrification, digitalisation, and autonomous driving gave us the opportunity to create an experience that goes way beyond the one that typical roadsters offer today.”
– Gael Buzyn, design project manager
The Chassis:
The Skysphere features double wishbone axles in both the front and the rear, the upper and lower wishbones are cast from aluminium. Steering takes place via a steer-by-wire system that controls both the front and the rear wheels. The car’s steering can be adjusted by the driver from extremely direct to comfortable, but also from high self-aligning forces to minimal self-aligning forces, for example when parking the vehicle. The rear-axle steering and adaptive wheelbase also contribute to the car’s small turning radius.
Established Audi chassis technology ensures that the suspension delivers a necessary level of versatility. The car’s individual chambers can be deactivated for a more sporty ride with fast acceleration. The Skysphere’s active suspension plays a key role in the optimum versatility of the car’s handling characteristics. When simply coasting along, the individual wheels are selectively raised or lowered to compensate for any uneven road surface. Mounted on aerodynamically styled 23-inch alloy rims, the vehicle’s tires achieve a perfect balance between suitability for long trips, thanks to minimal rolling resistance and a sporty, active driving style with lateral acceleration.
Interior & Exterior:
The all new Audi model features wide curved and flared wheel arches, that are typical of the brand, that emphasise the wide tracks, a clear indication of its talent. From the side, the proportions are impressive with a long hood and a short overhang, with wheel arches and a front hood that are organically curved. The rear end was developed in a wind tunnel and combines elements of a speedster and a shooting brake, with large glass surfaces in a traditional streamlined design. The front end clearly features the brand’s typical Audi emblem with the four dimensionally designed rings.
The model’s interior appears as a light and spacious environment, with comfortable seats that add to the visual elegance of designer furnishings. The seats are upholstered in sustainably produced microfibre fabric and offer the kind of freedom to move and legroom that can otherwise only be experienced when flying first class on an airplane. Environmentally certified eucalyptus wood and synthetically produced imitation leather are just some of the sustainably manufactured materials featured within the car’s interior. A high-quality sound system delivers concert hall audio quality, even when the vehicle is in motion. The speakers are hidden behind the door panels, with a few more in the rear wall to produce superior surround sound.
The Audi Skysphere is a vehicle that truly showcases and redefines road luxury, from the reimagined interior, sophisticated exterior design, controlled chassis features, powerful performance drive and innovative drive technology, the possibilities are nearly endless. This impressive electric vehicle will make any drive an exceptional experience.
