Audi Unveils Its New Futuristic-Looking Skysphere Electric Car
Lisa Steuer McArdle
· 3 min read
Audi
recently released silhouettes of the Audi Sphere concepts, which is its new trio of electric vehicles
. As we reported, the Audi Sphere trio includes the Grand Sphere, Urban Sphere, and Skysphere. The carmaker had said it planned to unveil the cars within the next 12 to 18 months to preview the automaker’s future design direction.
Now, there are more details about the Skypshere, after it was recently unveiled at the 2021 Monterey Car Week in
California
. The concept car reportedly represents what Audi believes it can achieve in electric and autonomous vehicles.
Audi’s new electric vehicle concept
Concept vehicles like the Audi Sphere trio are used by automakers to gauge customer interest or show the future direction of a certain brand or car.
The Audi Skysphere is described as a "sleek, sinister-looking electric convertible" by
CNBC
, which even went so far as to say the vehicle blends "Batmobile-like technologies with the amenities of luxury cars."Well, that kind of description definitely has us intrigued.
According to CNBC, the Audi Skysphere has an adaptable wheelbase that can change sizes based on driving modes. It also has a digital cockpit with a retractable steering wheel and pedals that can stow away when the car is driving itself.
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An Audi vehicle that’s two cars in one
While the car is designed to be autonomous, it cannot drive itself at this time.
But the Audi Skysphere is reportedly designed to be two vehicles in one: a roadster and a grand touring coach car that can drive itself and expand itself by 10 inches for a more comfortable cabin, although it’s not clear if a vehicle that changes sizes would be feasible for a production model.
Henrik Wenders, the head of Audi, said the concept shows how they are combining both an automotive driving experience with an immersive digital experience, according to CNBC.
Wenders also reportedly described the car as "progressive luxury" and an "experience device" rather than a car.
It’s unclear how feasible a vehicle that can change sizes would be for a production model.
As a roadster, the Skysphere will be capable of reaching 60 mph in about four seconds and offers about 553 pound feet of torque.
The electric vehicle’s driving range is reportedly about 310 miles.
Looking to Audi’s future
The second vehicle in Audi’s trio of electric vehicles, called the Grandsphere, is set to be unveiled Sept. 1, followed by the Urbansphere in the first half of 2022.
Audi plans to exclusively offer electric vehicles by 2033, with its last vehicle with an internal combustion engine being introduced in 2026.
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