The Audi grandsphere concept is more than just a car – and it is not alone. It is part of a family of concept cars with which Audi wants to redefine the future of mobility.
Innovators possess the ability to ask the right questions, not just about the present but also about what could be. The best ideas may seem obvious in retrospect, leaving us wondering why we didn’t think of them sooner. Human creativity is crucial to shaping our future, as our current visions and determination to bring them to life will dictate the way we live tomorrow. The Audi grandsphere concept exemplifies this idea, as it dramatically reimagines the luxury car experience. Despite significant technological advancements, the concept car highlights the continued importance of human-cantered design.
According to Audi’s senior vice president, Henrik Wenders, the combination of electrification and automated driving technology could bring about a revolutionary transformation. This would allow for a complete redesign of the car’s interior, creating a personalized experience or “sphere.” The Audi Grandsphere concept exemplifies this idea with its spacious cabin, which can be transformed into a lounge, office, cinema, or spa, depending on the passenger’s preferences. Wenders refers to it as an “experience device” rather than just a car. With the integration of self-driving technology, travel can become stress-free, providing passengers with the gift of time and a new standard of travel.
The Audi Grandsphere is the second concept car in a series that offers a glimpse into the future of high-end automotive vehicles. Its design is reminiscent of a private jet, featuring a spacious interior that can be customized to suit the passenger’s needs. This upgraded sedan model boasts level 4 autonomous driving capabilities, providing passengers with the ultimate spacious ride. Additionally, the car can make the steering wheel and pedals disappear, further enhancing the luxurious experience.
GRANDSPHERE DESIGN
When speaking on the vision behind Grandsphere, Audi Designer Jason Battersby said, “we as a team wanted to show how autonomous technology will change the way you experience a vehicles interior space. That technology inspired us and allowed us the creative freedom to envision first-class style travel in the front seats as opposed to the traditional rear seat layout. With our focus on creating the interior volume first we designed the vehicle from the inside out, which demonstrates a very progressive shift in both interior and exterior design. It’s exciting to know this technology can have a massive impact on the way we use our vehicles and is definitely a designers dream to showcase it in such an elegant form.”
Speaking on which elements were important for the Audi team to incorporate into the design, Jason Battersby added, “a car’s exterior is the first thing you see, so it has to create an impact and excite you, and draw you in to that beautiful interior. It was important from the beginning to have very low and sleek proportions, classic GT traits but with a modern touch.”
“The cabin is quite large due to the importance of the interior space, so we paid a lot of attention to balance all of the key design lines and volumes to make the cabin feel harmonious with the body. The front of the Grandsphere carries a revised Audi single-frame, communicating the Audi brand but with a very modern treatment. Overall we as a team aimed to reduce the amount of lines on the body, adapting a less is more approach, and we were lucky enough to incorporate all of the elements that just felt right during the process.” He added.
As we move towards the future, it is increasingly crucial to be aware of our impact on the environment. The Audi Grandsphere concept takes this into account by being fully electric. The concept represents value creation in every aspect, showcasing how technology can bring holistic benefits to everyone as it continues to evolve.
