New Audi Activesphere Concept Combines Both A Luxury Crossover And Pick-up Truck

Audi revealed the last in a series of concepts previewing the company’s vision of future mobility. Called the Activesphere, Audi calls it “A luxury coupe that turns into a pickup.”

Like its predecessors, the Activesphere is packed with loads of new tech and ideas that are likely years away from being a reality, but highlights what’s possible for future high-tech vehicles. Its design combines the styling of Audi’s Sportback and Allroad models into a versatile SUV-like EV.

The concept rides on Audi’s air suspension with adaptive dampers, which can increase the car’s ground clearance of 208 MM by 40 MM. Coinciding this is an exterior design feature where vertical studs and metal strips deploy, thus help visualize the added height.

The concept rides on massive but equally functional 22-inch wheels which, in off-road mode, sees flaps in the wheels open for optimum ventilation. These flaps are closed off during on-road driving to maximize aerodynamics. Glass makes up a considerable portion of the vehicle like the roof, lower doors, and grille, the latter giving passengers an unobstructed view of the outside through the front trunk (frunk).

The rear glass window is also functional as it’s capable of moving flush with the roof to create a cargo bed and lug e-bikes. Also, part of the rear fascia can lower itself to create the tailgate and further improve accessibility. A motorised bulkhead is deployed when using the cargo bed to separate the interior from the elements.

On board, the spacious and minimalistic four-seat cabin has several layouts depending on drive mode. In autonomous mode, the dashboard, steering wheel, and pedals disappear, leaving just the large sound bar and full-width air vent. The seats appear to float in the cabin though they are attached to the centre console. They also sport heating and cooling functions though traditional screens and controls are absent.

A key cabin feature is the adoption of augmented reality display tech. There’s even headsets available for drivers and passengers and it allows Audi to superimpose virtual content such as vehicle control panels, information displays, and more, on top of the real world and the cabin. This, in turn, frees up interior space further as Audi also placed various functions alongside corresponding hardware inside the glasses.

Besides that, users view the virtual content and activate it by focusing their sights on specific information, interacting with it through gestures. The system brings various functions to the user to use comfortably regardless of seating position. This system also delivers tailored content to each passenger, like important vehicle information for the driver whilst passengers can select music and toggle other digital features.

The Audi Activesphere concept is built upon the Premium Platform Electric architecture it co-developed with Porsche, and allows it to pack batteries with up to 100 kW of energy. That juices a dual-motor powertrain setup that grants 242 HP (325 kW) and720 NM, which are transmitted to the road via an all-wheel drive (AWD) system.

What do you folks think of this high-tech concept? Are you digging Audi’s vision of how future mobility might look like? Hit the comments below with your thoughts…