The Audi Activesphere is the most recent concept automobile to have the “Sphere” moniker. It is a crossover vehicle focused on off-roading and has a roofline that looks like a coupe. The best part is the cabin, which has augmented reality instead of screens for the car’s controls, such as entertainment, temperature, and navigation. The Activesphere is also interesting because it has a split tailgate. This lets the back window slide up, turning the luggage area into a bed where they can carry bikes and other things. The Audi Activesphere concept muddles the distinctions between different kinds of automobiles by having a sloped roof like a sedan but the stance and ride height of an SUV. The Activesphere is the fourth “Sphere” concept car from Audi. It comes after the Skysphere roadster, the Grand Sphere sedan, and the Urbansphere minivan. It is a stylish crossover that can keep up with a busy lifestyle and shows off Audi’s cutting-edge technology plans to use in the next few decades. Like its rumored predecessors, the Activesphere is electric and built on the PPE platform, which will also use for the electric Porsche Macan and the soon-to-be-released A6 e-tron. The 100 kWh battery gives the car a range of more than 370 miles, and the electric motors in the front and back total 436 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque. Also, PPE has an electrical architecture with 800 volts, which lets the battery add about 186 miles of range at 270 kW in 10 minutes. Also, Audi says that it can charge the battery from 5% to 80% in less than 25 minutes. The Activesphere is about the same length as a gas-powered Audi Q8, but it is 3 inches wider, 4 inches shorter in height, and has a 1-inch shorter wheelbase. The concept has 22-inch wheels with 285/55 tires for various terrains, an air suspension, and dampers that can adjust to the road. The wheels have active aero, which opens to let air in and cool the car when driving off-road and closes to improve gas mileage when driving on pavement. Sideview mirrors are being replaced with cameras to reduce drag and increase range. Focusing on off-road exploration led to a translucent version of the “Singleframe” grille on Audis for 20 years. This helps the driver see obstacles in front of the car better. The glass also makes up the lower parts of the doors. Audi says the 8.2-inch ride height can be raised by 1.6 inches when the road ends. The approach angle is a reasonable 18.9 degrees, and the departure angle is a more flexible 28.1 degrees. The “active back” is arguably one of the fascinating features of the Activesphere. The lower half of a split tailgate folds down like a pickup truck tailgate, and the back glass swings forward. This turns the luggage compartment into a small bed that can fit two bicycles. Behind the rear seats, a motorized wall keeps the cabin sealed, and a ski rack is on the roof. The Activesphere is the first Audi to have a split tailgate, but the company has yet to say much about whether or not it will be made for many cars. Inside the Activesphere’s cabin, Audi tries out new things. Even though there is still a steering wheel and pedals, the physical controls fold away when autonomous driving is turned on. The simple dashboard is mainly made up of straight lines. It has an air vent and a full-width sound bar. The middle console has a place to store drinks that can be heated or cooled, and the red accent stands out against the black background. As you may have seen, the Activesphere goes against the current trend of giant touchscreens. Because augmented reality is used so often, the whole room acts as the screen. With the four headsets kept in a console on the roof, people can interact with what the company calls the “Audi dimensions.” Similar to how Iron Man works on his suits in the Marvel movies, the system adds information and controls on top of what you can see and do in the real world. You will need to wear special glasses, though, and you won’t have Robert Downey Jr.’s easy charm. The augmented reality interface lets you check on the status of the car, find your way around, and have fun. If the user looks at a specific menu or screen, the technology recognizes and shows more information about it. Users can use gesture control to interact with the virtual rules they are looking at in the same way they would with physical control, such as by turning a dial or pressing a button. When off-roading, they can show a topographical map of the landscape. When commuting, they can show traffic data, routes, and safety alerts on the driver’s view of the road. These examples show how you can use augmented reality outside the cabin. Guests can check their feeds, change the temperature or entertainment, or look up nearby restaurants or things to do while they wait. Audi says that the headsets can also be used for outdoor activities like skiing or biking or to check the car’s condition. Even though the outside of the Activesphere isn’t extraordinary, its interior will only be made for a while, if not decades. On the other hand, the unusual crossover shows Audi’s plans for the future and hints at the technologies the company is working on that could change how we use the inside of our cars.
