The new Grandsphere is the second of a trio of “sphere” concept cars that show what Vorsprung durch Technik will be like in a not-too-distant future. It’s electric, highly autonomous and offers driver and passengers an “innovative experience sphere”. Although Audi may not be about to put into production the car you see here, be assured the technologies it contains and the themes it explores will figure in our motoring lives soon.
Compared to the shape-shifting Skysphere unveiled in early August, this one is relatively conventional-looking and as such a clearer pointer to what Audi says is indicative of its next-generation design language – hence widespread anticipation that there is plenty here that will pop up in the next Audi A8. Can you picture this as a tech-laden electric luxury rival for the Mercedes EQS?
That’s a welcome thought because the Grandsphere is almost as rakishly sporty as its “sphere” predecessor with a dramatic – almost Alfa Disco Volante-ish – rear end. But where the Skysphere, with its weird variable wheelbase, showed what a sporty two-door GT convertible might be like, the Grandsphere is an unashamed four-door sedan, and at 5.35 m (17.6 ft) long a big one, too.
It looks good but looks are not what this machine is primarily about. This car has been designed from the inside out so that it is chiefly about its cabin. It’s a variable space where the emphasis is on relaxation, in a private jet sort of way according to Audi. Here, you can relax with friends and family, the tedious business of actually driving the thing left entirely to the car itself.
As Audi says, somewhat sadly, “the drive system and the handling are no longer at the top of the design specifications in this new generation of cars.”
That’s what Level 4 autonomy can do for you. In the Grandsphere it means that steering, pedals and display screens all conveniently get out of the way when not needed to allow maximum space and flexibility. From car to first-class lounge in one hop, believes Audi.
With no B-pillars and wide-opening barn doors it makes for a very open and welcoming cabin space – as we have seen so many times before in concept cars. Alas, the layout has always remained at the concept stage. Will Audi be brave and stick with it for production in the next A8 we wonder?
It’s not just welcoming but very clever, too. Walk in and the car automatically links to each individual, tailoring lighting, seats, climate and infotainment to the driver and each passenger’s preference; the screens will even display whatever it was you were reading before you got in. In Audi-speak this is “a holistic digital ecosystem”.
Nought to sixty? Even an “innovative experience sphere” needs one of those and in the Grandsphere’s case, it’s just over four seconds. As it should be for something with twin motors and a total power of 710PS (530 kW) and torque of 960Nm, delivered to all four wheels of course. Plenty of poke but we still think they should put an American V8 in it and call it the Hemisphere…
Underneath is the group’s PPE (premium platform electric) architecture, a modular system that here is used in long-wheelbase form – at 3.19 m (10.5 ft) the wheelbase overshadows even the long version of the current Audi A8. The Grandsphere rolls along on giant 23-inch wheels and soaks up the bumps thanks to active air suspension. With 120kWh of batteries, range is said to be 466 miles (750km), and there’s a fast-charging facility that can take on enough juice for 186 miles in just 10 minutes.
Like it? Concepts like this are all the more exciting when there is the near prospect of real influence on a production model. It’s an excitement that Audi UK’s Andrew Doyle shares, calling the Grandsphere “a glimpse of how we plan to rethink and reshape the future of the luxury segment.” That next A8 has lots to live up to then.
Next up in 2022, the third in the trio of spheres of influence from Audi in the form of the Urbansphere. And another chance for Audi designers to shoot for the stratosphere…
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Electric Avenue
