Audi showcases the first member of its “sphere” concept vehicles family in Dubai during an exclusive occasion, attended by media personalities from different parts of the Middle East. Called the Audi Skysphere concept, it is a sleek all-electric two-seat roadster built according to the Audi design of tomorrow.
The Skypshere unveiling was accompanied by local previews of the new Audi A8 and S8. These cars are being shown at the ‘Tomorrow Today’ exhibition held at the Museum of the Future. The display will remain alive during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
“We are delighted to unveil the Skysphere concept in Dubai. This car represents the zenith of human capability and innovation, so we wanted to treat it a little bit differently for its grand unveiling in a venue renowned for its creativity. With the Skysphere, passengers are given the maximum amount of freedom and can choose between two driving modes; a grand touring experience and a sports experience and is the perfect celebration of progress. Its visit to Dubai symbolizes how we envision the future of mobility and is an ode to a city that has positive and influential plans that will trickle down across the region,” said Carsten Bender, Managing Director of Audi Middle East.
One of the highlights of this Audi concept car is its ability to alter its wheelbase on the go. It can change itself from a full, striking grand tourer to an agile roadster with just a touch of a button. Audi has installed actuators behind the front axle that can shift the whole front clip of the rearward, curtailing the wheelbase by almost 10 inches in its transformation between “GT” and “Sport” modes. Interestingly, the concept also ideally presents Level 4 autonomy. In the GT mode, the steering wheel and pedals hide below the dash, giving you open space.
Whichever mode you choose, the Skysphere is a treat to watch in every configuration. The concept is enthused by the 1937 Horch roadster that succeeded in the Best of Show at Pebble in 2009.
The German automaker says the concept car can accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in less than 4 seconds courtesy of a rear-mounted electric motor generating 624 horsepower (465 kilowatts). The power comes from an 80-kilowatt-hour battery that resides after the seats as well as in the car’s center console. Audi claims a hypothetical range of 310 miles (500 kilometers) according to the WLTP cycle. You can carry two pairs of custom-built golf clubs in the frunk and a couple of suitcases in the cargo area.
Tailored infotainment choices are accessible; for instance, you can connect the onboard streaming service to music and video providers you operate in your house. Furthermore, the company plans to offer individual and exclusive choices for its customers. It would include concerts, cultural festivals, and even sports activities that will be accessible through separate invitations.
The Audi Skysphere will be followed by flagship Grandsphere and multipurpose Urbansphere, showcasing the automaker’s future design and technology.
As said earlier, the impressive innovative Audi Skysphere concept will remain on display for the visitors at the Museum of the Future during Ramadan.
Source and Images: Audi