Audi has unveiled the first member of a new family of concept vehicles, an electric-powered luxury roadster. The Audi skysphere concept features autonomous driving, a revolutionary redesign of the interior, and a seamless digital ecosystem.
The Audi skysphere driver can choose their own driving experience – either they pilot their 4.94-meter-long e-roadster themselves in “Sports” mode. Or they can choose to be chauffeured around in the autonomous “Grand Touring” driving mode.
In this mode, the steering wheel and pedals move into an invisible area. Meanwhile, the Audi skysphere automatically keeps an eye on the road and traffic with its sensor system and drives the occupants safely to their destination.
The autonomous concept can also pick up its passengers with information about their current destination and independently handles parking and charging.
The battery’s capacity is expected to be more than 80 kWh, giving the car a range of more than 500 kilometers according to the WLTP standard, at least in the economical GT mode.
Customised infotainment options are also available, such as linking the on-board streaming service to music and video providers used at home. Audi also aims to provide personalised and exclusive options for users of its luxury cars in the future – such as concerts, cultural events, or even sporting events that are only available upon special invitation.
The Audi skysphere concept will make its public debut on August 13, 2021, as part of Monterey Car Week in California.
Audi design project manager, Gael Buzy, says: “New technologies like electrification, digitalization, and autonomous driving gave us the opportunity to create an experience that goes way beyond the one that typical roadsters offer today.”
“Audi is renowned for its progressive concepts cars that demonstrate remarkable foresight and technological ingenuity,” adds Andrew Doyle, Director of Audi UK. “The Skysphere concept is the first of a family of three, that will help shape the vision and direction of our brand as we electrify our business operation and future model lineups.”
Audi skysphere, Audi grandsphere, and, coming in 2022, Audi urbansphere are the three concept cars that the brand using to showcase its vision of progressive luxury.
The concept car was conceived and designed at the Audi Design Studio in Malibu. Studio manager Gael Buzyn and his team are the creative minds behind the project.
