Audi’s grandsphere concept will replace A8 in 2024
The Audi grandsphere concept will make its debut at the Munich motor show. Photos: Audi
Audi has teased its all-electric and highly autonomous successor to the A8 just before its reveal at the Munich motor show.
The futuristic grandsphere concept is described as a "private jet for the road" and is designed primarily around its capacity for level four autonomous driving.
The grandsphere joins the skysphere and, in the future, urbansphere as part of Audi’s pathway for future vehicles.
The Audi grandsphere’s rear doors open backwards and there is no B-pillar to maximise cabin space and airiness.
Audi said the concept is the closest of the Sphere trio to a future production model, in this case the 'Project Artemis' luxury flagship that will replace the A8 at the top of Audi's sedan car line-up when it goes on sale in 2025 after a 2024 debut.
“The grandsphere concept is a clear signal of intent from Audi as to where we are heading with our electrification strategy,” commented Director of Audi UK Andrew Doyle.
“A glimpse of how we plan to rethink and reshape the future of the luxury segment, the grandsphere blends cutting edge technology with our next-generation design language to create a truly exciting vision of what's to come."
The grandsphere is 5.35m long sedan is described as a "private jet for the road".
Audi says, “that like a first-class flight, the 5.35 m long grandsphere sedan combines the luxury of private travel in the greatest of comfort with a comprehensive onboard experience offering”.
“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 a holistic digital ecosystem that the Audi grandsphere is integrated into.”
The cabin provides a lounge-style environment when no human input is needed to drive it.
The grandsphere has been designed "from the inside out" to provide a lounge-style environment when no human input is needed to drive it. The steering wheel and pedals retract into the bulkhead, for example. The rear doors open backward and there is no B-pillar to maximise cabin space and airiness.
Passengers are welcomed aboard with "individually staged displays and ambient light" and the climate control and seats are automatically adjusted to their occupant's preferences as soon as they sit down.
There are no visible screens, dials or physical controls upon entry into the Grandsphere's cabin, where designers have striven to achieve a "digital detox".