Category: Concepts

Audi Teases New activesphere Concept

Audi activesphere concept

Unlike the other members of the Sphere series of concepts, the activesphere looks designed for rugged terrain.

Last week in Pebble Beach, Audi showcased three of its series of Sphere concept vehicles. It was the first time the grandsphere, skysphere, and urbansphere were all shown in public at the same time — and the photos are stunning. In what’s been an ambitious run, each of these next-generation machines has been released in the last 12 months. But Ingolstadt just demonstrated it’s still pushing forward (even if its new flagship is still years behind schedule).

Because just as the festivities in Monterey were wrapping up, Audi released a teaser images for the activesphere concept. This latest in the Sphere series appears to be a sleek four-door coupe design, though unlike the other three entries in the line, the elevated ride height and the beefy rubber set it apart. Indeed, according to the official press release, this concept will “will offer maximum variability for an active lifestyle – both on and off-road.”

Audi Sphereautomated driving. That means the interior will be a space that can be transformed from a cockpit into something more akin to a mobile living room than a traditional cabin.

For driving enthusiasts, that might very well sound like the beginning of the end. But while I love to drive, I can’t say I hate the idea of a machine that would, say, navigate through stop-and-go congestion while I read a novel, or even take a nap. That seems like the best of both worlds, and while I think that tech is still a ways off, I’m confident I’ll see it in my lifetime. Also? I have to admit I’m intrigued by a vehicle that could use its cutting-edge tech to navigate tricky trails on the way to a remote campsite or scenic view. So color me curious…

Photos: Audi

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The Audi A6 Avant e-tron concept is Drop-Dead Gorgeous

Audi A6 Avant E-Tron Concept

The A6 Avant E-Tron concept is a stunning vision of a modern wagon — as only Audi’s designers could do it.

Yesterday, we posted some teaser pics of the long-rumored A6 Avant e-tron concept, and today, we got the full images. Safe to say, it’s a doozy. This is an absolutely stunning vision of a modern wagon, and — in my opinion — immediately makes the current RS6 Avant look dated. While the official press release calls the concept “production-oriented,” there’s no mention of whether an Avant e-tron will make it to the United States. Unfortunately, industry insiders seem united in their belief that an appearance on our shores is unlikely.

With that news out of the way, let’s dig into the specifics of this fabulous Four Ring wagon. First, the Avant e-tron concept is built on Audi’s PPE platform, which uses the space between the axles to hold the battery. This setup is beneficial because it keeps the center of gravity low, allows for scalability in regard to battery size, and also provides for different vehicle styles to be built on the same underlying architecture. The versatility of the PPE platform is a key part of Audi’s plan to rapidly increase production of fully-electric vehicles.

Power for the A6 Avant e-tron concept comes from a pair of electric motors, which means there will be 469 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque on tap. Even more exciting than the available thrust, however, is the speed with which the lovely longroof can charge. Thanks to the PPE platform’s 800-volt charging technology, the battery can suck up enough juice to travel 186 miles in just ten minutes, which Audi says is comparable to a standard fuel stop for a gas-powered car. Plus, going from a five percent charge to an 80 percent charge will take a scant 25 minutes.

According to Audi, the range is also impressive, as the A6 Avant e-tron concept is capable of traveling up to 435 miles on a single charge. And while I’m well aware of range anxiety — having experienced it will several of my recent press cars — that seems like plenty for anyone who isn’t running the Gumball 3000 or trying to break the Cannonball record. On the other hand, performance sounds just acceptable, as Ingolstadt says entry-level models will be able to hit 60 miles per hour in “under seven seconds.”

The caveat to that statement, however, is that high-performance versions will be significantly faster than that — and deliver times somewhere in the three-second range. Now, while I started this post will some bad news about how the Avant e-tron isn’t expected to make it to our shores, the hint of a weapons-grade version offers some hope to enthusiasts. Because just as we got the RS  Avant, the hot rod version might actually make the trip across the Pond. Of course, when we’ll have a definitive answer about availability is anyone’s guess, but for now, enjoy the gorgeous pics of Audi’s latest killer concept!

Photos: Audi

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