Audi Glan Sphere Concept EV rethinks the sedan from the inside out

Audi on Thursday unveiled the "Grandsphere" concept model, which offers a glimpse of what an electric luxury sedan could look like a decade from now. It is the second of three "spherical" concepts, each of which is designed to be a "sphere" of sorts, with the first being the "Grandsphere.

The Grandsphere follows the Transformer-like grand touring car, the Sky Sphere, which debuted last month and offered a vision of an automated sports car with a variable wheelbase. This time, however, it is softer and more interior-focused, emphasizing the "private sphere" of the brand's future vehicle cabin and how the vehicle can be attractive and different while maximizing space.

In the Glan Sphere, Audi sees a future in which Level 4 automated driving, in which the vehicle takes over driving completely under certain conditions, will transform the cabin into a first-class cabin-like experience, with the steering wheel, pedals, and displays retracting into the background.

Thus, Audi has changed its priorities with Gransphere. Drive systems and handling are no longer top priorities. Instead, by applying the flexibility of a dedicated electric vehicle platform, Audi has pushed the cabin out of the hemisphere, providing lots of passenger space and openness, combined with a "holistic digital ecosystem."

That's not to say that Audi didn't also focus on sexy exteriors.

The Glan Sphere actually has an overtly cab-forward design, like many other cars built on electric-only platforms. However, as Vaya suggested to Motor Authority, its proportions evoke the look of a long hooded car without wasting its space.

The car measures approximately 211" long x 79" wide x 55" tall, with a wheelbase of 126", even longer than the current A8L.

Externally, the Gransphere has a flush, tight, sculpted, deceptively drawn-in appearance; the massive 23-inch wheels recall the Audi Arbus concept and Bauhaus design of the 1990s, and the flat, hexagonal grille is The evolution of the brand's identity from the front shows an evolution, but there is no striking contrast there. The headlights are unique, with specially crafted light units intersecting at the left and right "pupils" to create the appearance of focused eyes.

The doors open midline, the rear doors are rear-hinged, and a welcome system identifies the occupants and sets the seats and air conditioning. The infotainment system resumes the occupants' most recent use.

Audi notes that the overall cabin lines are "emphatically horizontal" and the design aims to feel open, especially when the steering wheel and pedals are retracted. Audi omitted leather from the interior, opting instead for recycled materials. The interior is cooler, with two glasses and a bottle of wine, emphasizing that it is more of a lounge than a driver's seat.

The interface features a Cinemascope screen, allowing the cabin to be darkened as needed. While driving, a rotary ring can be used to click on function menus. Audi states that gestures, voice control, handwritten input, and touch operation can be used, depending on preference. When Level 4 Driving is set, a reclined driver can use the infotainment system using only hand movements.

Despite being a spacious sedan, the Gransphere gives priority to the front seats. Audi describes this as 2+2, with the front seats designed for "first-class comfort and space," while the rear seats offer options such as a two-seat bench with integrated armrests.

The Glan Sphere is based on Audi's Premium Platform Electric (PPE), with a flat 120 kwh battery pack under the floor. Dual electric motors provide a total output of 711 hp and a maximum torque of 708 lb-ft. According to Audi, the 800-volt electric architecture allows for a 270-kw charge, restoring a range of approximately 186 miles in just 10 minutes. Audi suggests a range of over 466 miles, but this is based on European WLTP standards and is only a concept car. Acceleration to 62 mph takes just over 4 seconds.

Like the A6 E-Tron concept, which also uses the PPE platform, Audi has stated that it will have a 5-link front axle optimized for EVs and a multi-link aluminum rear axle out back, plus steerable rear wheels . Single-chamber air suspension will be combined with individually adjustable adaptive dampers as part of the active suspension.

The Glan Sphere will offer autonomous driving modes for loading and unloading passengers, parking and charging independently.

If Audi is hinting at anything consistent with the Sky Sphere and now the Glan Sphere (the Urban Sphere is yet to appear), it is that the future is variable and flexible, leaving many possibilities for the buyer.