At the IAA 2021 in Munich, Audi is presenting the Audi grandsphere concept study. The 5.35 m (17.6 ft.) long grandsphere sedan combines the luxury of private travel with Level 4 automated driving.
Audi says Level 4 automated driving makes new dimensions of freedom possible: in this mode, the interior turns into a spacious sphere of experience without a steering wheel, pedals, or displays. And the front seats become a first class lounge with maximum space, freer views, and access to all the functions of its digital ecosystem.
Grandsphere is the second of three ‘sphere’ concept cars from Audi. The electrically driven roadster Audi skysphere concept debuted in August 2021. It’s an automatically driving GT that transforms into a self-driving sports car with a variable wheelbase.
In a press statement, Audi says: ‘As the second of three “sphere” concept cars from the brand with the four rings, the Audi grandsphere has a special place. That is because the technologies and design features assembled in it will turn up again within a few years in future Audi series. The Audi grandsphere concept illustrates the brand’s claim that it is becoming the trendsetter at the top of the automotive industry for technological transformation and completely new, holistic mobility offerings’.
Audi says these two concept cars – as well as the Audi urbansphere, which will appear as the third part of the trio in 2022 – are linked by their overall concept, which is derived from their ability to drive automatically at level 4.
Audi is working with CARIAD, the Volkswagen Group’s software think tank, towards introducing this technology in the second half of the decade.
