German auto giant Audi has taken the wraps off the Activesphere, its latest electric vehicle concept that can transform from an off-road-capable crossover into a pickup, offering next-gen futuristic tech, augmented reality and more. The Activesphere is the automaker’s fourth such concept electric vehicle, following the Skysphere, Urbanshpere and Grandsphere. The final three models have been unveiled over the past two years. The Activesphere is the fourth and final of Germany’s four futuristic EVs to showcase its EV roadmap.
Activesphere is based on the modern PPE platform developed by the Volkswagen Group and originally used in Audi and Porsche vehicles. The Audi Activesphere is 4.98 meters long, 2.07 meters wide and 1.60 meters high. Its wheelbase reaches 2.97 meters, and the interior space is spacious, providing enough space for the occupants. Its wheels measure 22 inches and are made for the activesphere. They provide maximum traction on and off the road.
A sports coupe SUV can transform into a pickup in seconds. The adjustable suspension allows the car to be raised by 40mm when off the beaten track. The Audi Activesphere offers 208 millimeters of ground clearance. Audi also revealed off-road specifications for the Activesphere. The EV Concept has an approach angle of 18.9 degrees and an escape angle of 28.1 degrees.
The highlight of the Audi Activesphere Concept EV is its cabin, which uses augmented reality for all vehicle controls such as navigation, climate control and entertainment, rather than digital screens. For the first time in its history, Audi has equipped an EV concept car with a digital ecosystem called mixed reality. It provides drivers or passengers with VR glasses through which they can see ahead. Essentially, it’s a hybrid where a lot of information is projected in 3D before the user’s eyes. Oliver Hoffmann, member of the board of directors of the company’s technology department, said: “The interior (of the car) will be transformed into a place where passengers feel at home. At the same time, they will be able to connect with the outside world. The technological innovation is our adaptation of mobile augmented reality. It creates the perfect marriage between the environment and digital reality.”
The activesphere provides the ability to move completely autonomously or manually by a driver. Audi has configured the dashboard accordingly to help both situations. The steering wheel is still integrated and retracts when the driver intends to take control of the car. For passengers, they can adjust the information they want on the screen at any time, and they can also adjust the seats and windows independently.
First published date: Jan 27, 2023 at 10:46am CST
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