Is this sorcery?
Audi’s future will be electric, high-tech and (mostly) autonomous. The automaker set this direction with the August release of the Skysphere concept. This was the first of three concept cars (the Grandsphere was the second) that showed the company’s future. Supercarblondie wanted to know what the future held for the Ingolstadt-based automaker.
Popular YouTube vlogger shared a video recently on YouTube showing the Skysphere concept. She claims she is the first person outside Audi that has driven it. driving may not be the best term here, as the Australian presenter was not actually in control of the vehicle most of the time.
The Skysphere concept’s ability to alter its wheelbase is perhaps its most striking feature. The entire front clip of Skysphere is moved rearward by actuators. This reduces the wheelbase by almost 10 inches (25.4 cm) when it switches between GT and Sport modes. In GT mode, the pedals and steering wheel disappear completely to make the cabin more spacious for passengers. These functions can be seen in the video.
The Skysphere concept’s rear-mounted electric motor produces 624 horsepower (465kilowatts). The prototype vehicle should be able to accelerate from a standstill at 60 mph (0-96 km/h) in under 4 seconds. Unfortunately, Supercar Blondie wasn’t allowed to unleash its full potential, but at least we can see it in Sport mode.
Audi should unveil the Urbansphere after the Grandsphere and Skysphere. The trio will serve as a preview of its technology and styling. Some of the technologies shown in the concepts should actually be made into production models by the middle decade.