Audi has introduced the Skysphere Concept, the first in a series of three concepts providing a glimpse into the production cars of the future, with autonomous driving functions allowing them to become what the brand calls “experience devices”.The Skysphere is an impressive looking two-seater electric roadster with an expandable wheelbase that has the ability to transform from an autonomous and comfortable grand tourer to a performance-oriented luxury sportscar at the touch of a button. The Skysphere was created in Audi’s Design Studio in Malibu, by Gael Buzyn and his team. Its dimensions, character, and rear-hinged doors are inspired by the Horch 853 roadster from the ’30s while the overall design is futuristic, introducing elements that will be integrated into future production vehicles.
The singleframe grille on the edge of the long bonnet has evolved into a protruding, illuminated, and fully covered panel, with numerous LEDs creating unique lighting sequences. The profile is heavily sculpted with emphasis on the muscular fenders. The inclined windshield and the protective arcs behind the headrests allow for a small open space that can be covered by a soft-top. The Horch 853 “Manuela” was built for Bernd Rosemeyer, a motorsports superstar of the 1930s. While the original car is lost, Audi’s museum hosts an exact replica The aerodynamically designed 23-inch wheels are inspired by the wire-spoked wheels of the past, but they also provide sufficient cooling for the regenerative braking system. Finally, the rear deck is covered with glass hiding the luggage space, while numerous LED units in the concave area below mirror the front end.
The coolest feature is definitely the expandable wheelbase, with the front fenders, rocker panels, and the hood moving forwards to reveal a decorative element. This allows the wheelbase to grow by 250 mm / 9.8 inches, from being as compact as in the RS 5 to the sheer size of an A8 L. Altering the distance between the wheels doesn’t affect only the proportions, but most importantly the driving characteristics.The study is powered by a single electric motor in the rear axle producing 624 hp and 750 Nm of torque. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels, allowing for a 0-100 km/h acceleration in 4 seconds. The battery has a capacity of at least 80 kWh, located behind the cabin while additional modules can be added on the center tunnel between the seats, expanding the electric range to over 500 km in WLTP standards. The gross weight of the vehicle is around 1,800 kg with 60 per cent sitting on the rear axle.
The Skysphere utilizes the latest version of Audi’s three-chamber adaptive air suspension with double-wishbone geometry front and rear that can lower the car by 10 mm and change the handling characteristics. It also gets rear-axle steering and a fully customizable steer-by-wire system. As you would expect from a concept car with autonomous functions and an expandable wheelbase, the interior of the Skysphere has two different configurations. In the long-wheelbase autonomous GT mode, there is no steering wheel or pedals, with a 1.415 mm / 55.7-inch wide infotainment screen covering the whole dashboard. Passengers can access the internet, attend video conferences and watch movies. There are no physical buttons with all functions available through touch-sensitive surfaces, while the premium sound system has hidden speakers. In short-wheelbase Sports mode, the steering wheel, and pedals appear, with a portion of the dashboard moving towards the driver together with the center console creating a cockpit. Interior design is inspired by Art Deco with comfortable seats, sustainable upholstery from microfiber fabric and synthetic leather, plus eucalyptus wood.
Sadly, the answer is no, at least for now. When asked, Audi’s spokesperson said that, “Never say never, but for now it’s just a concept to visualize the two different characters of the car”. Nevertheless, according to Audi, the Skysphere is not just a design study, but a concept car showing us what is possible. While the expandable wheelbase would require years of development in order to comply with safety regulations, many design elements of the car – like the illuminated singleframe grille and the surfacing treatment of the bodywork – will be adopted by Audi’s upcoming production modes.
As for the Level 4 autonomous driving technology which will allow the driver to become a passenger in certain situations, it is expected to be offered in production cars during the second half of the decade. After the Skysphere, Audi will launch two more concept cars – the Grandsphere limousine coming before the end of 2021, and the Urbansphere hatchback following some time in 2022.
