Audi AG held a presentation of a huge concept van Audi Urbansphere. The spectacular appearance of this car was developed by a combined team of stylists fr om the company's design studios in Beijing (China) and Ingolstadt (Germany). The goal was to create the ideal executive minivan for metropolitan areas, while focusing on the needs and tastes of wealthy consumers in China.
Initially, they wanted to show Urbansphere at the Beijing Auto Show, but since the event was postponed due to the pandemic, the presentation was held online.
Urbansphere is larger than any existing Audi model, even the A8 L Horch limousine: body length is 5.51 meters (A8 L Horch has 5.45 m), width is 2.01 m, height is 1.78 m. the base of 3.4 meters provides incredible space in the cabin.
The exterior styling details of the Audi Urbansphere echo the 2021 Skysphere concept coupes and the 2021 Grandsphere fastback. Here, too, narrowed lighting equipment and a huge “smiling” decorative panel are used in the place wh ere the radiator grille is usually. The body layout of the Urbansphere is one-volume, the drop-down roof and huge doors attract attention.
To give the Urbansphere a more dynamic and edgy profile, the designers put an aluminum edging on top of the side windows that flows smoothly into the rear spoiler. This helps to visually lengthen the body and at the same time reduce its height. Huge 24-inch alloy wheels complete the picture.
In the cabin there are four individual armchairs and almost home decoration. Attention is drawn to the carpeting in the rear, seat trim from expensive fabrics, the possibility of a reclining position and a transparent display in front of the rear passengers.
Each seat supports the Relax (relaxation) and Entertain (entertainment) modes, which, when activated, select the most suitable fit (backrest angle, footrest, headrest position, and so on). The rear seat tilt adjustment range is 60 degrees.
At the heart of the Urbansphere is the Premium Platform Electric (PPE), also used in the Audi e-Tron Sportback and Porsche Taycan. Traction battery capacity - 120 kWh (power reserve - 750 km on the WLTP cycle). An electric motor is installed on the front and rear axles, the total output is 401 hp. (295 kW) and 690 Nm. In power saving mode, the front engine is deactivated, causing the minivan to become rear-wheel drive.
The on-board system operates at a voltage of 800 V, fast charging stations with a power of up to 270 kW are supported: in 10 minutes - plus 300 km of power reserve. The electric car uses a five-link suspension at the front and a multi-link at the rear.
Like other members of this family of Audi concepts, the Urbansphere is equipped with an SAE Level 4 autopilot. This means that the usual controls are still preserved, but the vehicle is able to move without human assistance. Audi claims that such technology will go into production in the second half of this decade.
So far, the German company has not specified whether the Urbansphere is waiting for a serial future. Audi is only exploring the luxury minivan market.
Audi introduced the concept of a huge van Urbansphere
