Audi Unveils ‘Private Jet For The Road’ Concept That’s Mainly For Lounging
Images via Audi
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Following Audi’s revolutionary ‘Skysphere’ concept, a gorgeous new ‘Grandsphere’ hits the stage. It may not be able to take flight, but that doesn’t stop the German car manufacturer from calling it “a private jet for the road.”
Premiered at the Celebration of Progress on Thursday, the 17.6-foot-long sedan “combines the luxury of private travel in the greatest of comfort with a comprehensive onboard experience offering” including a “holistic digital ecosystem.”
And just like reclining in a private jet, you can sit back and relax as the car takes you to your destination, no steering required.
Images via Audi
Boasting Level 4 automated driving, the vehicle’s interior can be converted into something akin to a small lounge, evidenced in the back seat which is designed to look like a sofa. It appears that the company is aiming to produce a car that will drive you places, rather than a car you drive to places.
Images via Audi
The steering wheel and pedals fade into the background, and the display—a fully integrated, projected offering—takes center stage. Drivers or passengers can indulge in entertainment with VR glasses stored in the armrests, or squeeze in a video conference while on the go.
Of course, this cutting-edge showcase of technology is all-electric. With a 120kWh battery, charging tech of 800 volts can supply 186 miles of driving in only 10 minutes. Tack another 15 minutes onto that, and the ‘Grandsphere’ goes from a 5% charge to 80%.
Images via Audi
Images via Audi
Just like its predecessor, the ‘Skysphere’, this car isn’t in production nor is it for sale, the company clarifies. Instead, it’s part of a trio—‘Skysphere’, ‘Grandsphere’, and later, ‘Urbansphere’—that serves as a visualization of the brand’s future when it comes to innovative design.
It’s more aspiration at this stage than anything, but elements shown in these concepts might be incorporated in the new models produced soon. But it’s not to say that the cars will never see light of day; we could be seeing vehicles like these populate our roads decades down the line.
Images via Audi
The Audi grandshpere concept offers a Level 4 automated driving experience. It alters the traditional driver-oriented cockpit interior and gives passengers a new level of freedom. https://t.co/EX2MT6OnK4#ConceptCar #FutureIsAnAttitude #eMobility
— Audi (@AudiOfficial) September 2, 2021
[via Engadget, images via Audi]
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