Audi introduces Activesphere pickup-coupe concept vehicle

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If you’re looking for an all-electric vehicle which can convert from a fastback to a pickup truck whilst packing an array of autonomous driving tools, you’ll want to pay attention to the newest futuristic concept vehicle from Audi. Engineers and designers in Ingolstadt are calling it the Activesphere, a direct reference to the concept car’s ability to transform from a luxury fastback (four-door) coupe to a pickup with an open bed. It’s electric, of course, and we’ll get to those details shortly.

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The concept was designed in – where else – Malibu, with one eye squarely on customers of the future who won’t want to give up their active lifestyle even after the last Audi internal combustion engine rolls off the assembly line. Glass surfaces make up a significant part of the Activesphere body, reinforcing this author’s belief that luxury is defined by light and space. In fact, glass extends to the grille area, designed as a transparent glazing to provide passengers an unobstructed view right through the frunk.

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Yes, a clear shot to the Activesphere’s nose is possible thanks to a so-called ‘autonomous mode’ which appeared in some of Audi’s other ‘Sphere concepts over the last couple of years. When the car is in this mode, its dashboard and steering wheel – and the pedals – all vanish into the ether, opening a vast amount of space for the front seat passengers extending all the way to the vehicle’s front end. When the day comes that we’re all riding around like the Jetsons, the crew at Audi will be ready with some tricks up their collective sleeves.

If the driver does wish to take command, the dashboard and steering wheel can swivel out from their home below the windshield. Interestingly, MMI controls for windows or seats placed about the doors are described as touchless yet “accessible to the eye and the hand”. Building on this, Audi has developed a VR-style cabin interior which creates a mixed-reality environment.

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In short, Audi is aiming for an immersive experience in the Activesphere. Using the concept of optical layers, the system will recognize if a person is focusing their eyes on a particular item, such as the ventilation controls. The headset display will then project information at different depths, virtually decoupling a dial or knob and allowing the user to adjust cabin temperature with gestures. These virtual controls will ‘move’ towards the user so they can interact comfortably with it, regardless of sitting position.

It also means controls can digitally pop up right in front of the elements to which they are related; AC control can hover near a vent and volume control can hover by a speaker, as examples. For the person wearing the headset, it’ll seem like they’re actually turning a dial but everyone else will just see someone reaching out into space and moving their hands. Gesture control is in its infancy but does exist, so this concept is not as out-of-this-world as it may first appear.

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Audi was eager to clarify they are not getting into the business of manufacturing headsets. Rather, they anticipate passengers of the future to bring their own (or perhaps have these cybernetic upgrades implanted…), not unlike how folks bring their own Apple or Android smart devices today in order to call up a map or music.

Unlike many concept cars, Audi comes loaded for bear with useful information about dimensions and propulsion. The Activesphere is just shy of 5 metres long, a hair over 2 metres wide, and stands 1.6 metres tall. As a yardstick, its length and width are within shouting distance of the sporty RS Q8, though this concept’s roof is about 100 mm lower to terra firma. Over on the electric end of the Audi showroom, peep a Q5 E-tron for similar dimensions. Those are 22-inch off-road tires, sized 285/55 and ready for all types of terrain.

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Do not adjust yer glasses – those vertical slats on this concept’s rocker panels do indeed change detail depending on drive mode. This is thanks to the Activeshpere’s ability to tip toe off-road, increasing its ground clearance by up to 40 millimetres from its basic measure of 208 millimetres (8.2 inches). This would put it in league with a present-day Q7 when that car’s adaptive suspension is maxed (or a Subaru Outback Wilderness for us peasants).

Comprising the powertrain are electric motors on the front and rear axles good for 435 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque. This setup permits Audi to boast of Quattro all-wheel drive, a feature expected in a rig with off-road pretensions. Its battery pack is said to have roughly 100 kWh of capacity and can be rejuiced quickly thanks to 800V charging technology which can drink from fast DC chargers heaving out up to 270 kW and replenish 300 kilometres of range in about 10 minutes.

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How much of the Activesphere concept will reach production? When asked about the fastback/truck bed, Audi reps replied “never say never” with typically German stoicism. We think most elements of this powertrain are on the table, particularly given the amount of detail into which the company was willing to delve. As for the autonomous driving tools and headset-based mixed-reality interior (we are still waiting for our E.D.I.T.H. headset that we ordered on the dark web two weeks ago, can’t wait to test it out on this rig), it’s great to know Audi’s designers are taking these moonshots – even if real-world applications are still several years away.