Audi Urbansphere previews new super-luxury wagon
German brand’s Lexus LM-baiting electric MPV concept is purpose-built for Chinese mega-citiesAudi has unveiled what it envisages as the future of family mobility within the world’s mega-cities in the form of the Audi Urbansphere – a new concept previewing a high-riding luxury people-mover from the German marque.
Designed primarily with the Chinese market in mind, the 2022 Audi Urbansphere is predictably endowed with an advanced electric powertrain and high-tech autonomous driving capability, but cuts an imposing figure with its sheer size and opulence.
Measuring 5510mm long, 2010mm wide and 1780mm tall, the Urbansphere is comfortably the biggest Audi vehicle to date, but despite its huge size it only has seating for four.
This makes it more of a raised wagon than an all-out MPV like the Kia Carnival – at least in concept form – but its upmarket position floats it as a left-field alternative to other Asia-specific models like the Lexus LM.
The third ‘sphere’ concept after the Audi Grandsphere and Skysphere shown last year, the Urbansphere is underpinned by Audi’s latest Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture and rides on a mammoth 3400mm wheelbase.
An active rear-axle steering system serves to shorten the effective wheelbase when it comes to handling and manoeuvrability, but even so it’s still no Audi A1 city car.
According to its designers, these huge proportions are the result of an inside-out design process which started with the cabin and worked its way out.
With so much room on offer, it comes as no surprise to find the two rear captain’s seats can recline by up to 60 degrees while extending the leg rests, and swivel on the spot.
The two seats are separated by a mobile centre console featuring a water dispenser, a plethora of connectivity solutions and more.
There’s also a privacy screen stashed within each rear head restraint, while stowed against the roof is an OLED screen which can pivot down and form an in-car cinema system or mobile office space.
Audi says in its press material that “the spacious automobile acts as a lounge on wheels and a mobile office, serving as a third living space during the time spent in traffic”.
“To this end, the Audi Urbansphere combines the luxury of complete privacy with a comprehensive range of high-tech features on board, even during the daily rush hour.”
Making life in traffic easier for all occupants is Level 4 autonomous driving capability, which can assume full responsibility for driving and also creates extra space by stowing the traditional controls in the dashboard.
Most vehicle functions in the rear can be accessed and controlled by eye tracking and gestures, while in the front they’re taken care of via touch-sensitive projections.
As you might expect, sustainability is at the forefront of the Audi Urbansphere’s interior construction, where features include chemical-free wood trim, recycled polyamide seat padding and bamboo viscose fabric arm rests.
Drawing current from a 120kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the Urbansphere is propelled by a pair of electric motors (one on each axle) which combine to produce a total of 295kW/690Nm.
A driving range of up to 750km is claimed, based on the WLTP cycle.
Audi claims 300km of range can be added in just 10 minutes when using a 270kW DC fast-charger, while the vehicle can be charged from 5-80 per cent in as little as 25 minutes.
“In order to meet the demands of our Chinese customers, Audi’s design studios in Beijing and Ingolstadt worked together closely to jointly develop the Audi Urbansphere concept car,” Audi AG management board chairman Markus Duesmann said.
“To make e-mobility even more attractive, we think about it holistically and from the customer’s needs.”
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