PHS Automotive Malaysia (PHSAM)/Audi Malaysia, which took over the Audi distributorship in July this year, has added the Audi RS Q8 to its range of offerings. A fairly recent model in Audi’s SUV range, the Q8 made its global debut in 2018, with the performance-enhanced RS version coming the following year.
The Q8’s coupe SUV design was Audi’s response to the appearance of the new generation of coupe crossovers from BMW (X6) and Mercedes-Benz (GLE-Class) which had been enjoying good sales. It thus introduced new design language for the brand, created by Marc Lichte. The design also has some elements from the original Audi Quattro rallycar of the 1980s.
KTM, the Austrian company (with India’s Bajaj Auto as a shareholder), is well known for its motorcycles but it also has a line of 4-wheelers that have been in production since 2008. Known as the X-BOW, the sportscar was developed in collaboration with Dallara, Kiska Design and Audi.
The X-BOW was developed with motorsports in mind (it is FIA-homologated) and has seen good demand that the company raised the annual production plan from 500 units to 1,000 units. Since entering the market 14 years ago, the model has been improved with upgrades to the TFSI engine provided by Audi.
In March 2022, the Audi RS Q e-tron won its first desert rally in Abu Dhabi, an important achievement for an electrically-powered vehicle. Audi was the first carmaker that committed to develop a viable alternative drive concept for the gruelling event, making it a pioneer in motorsport.
The original RS Q e-tron development had been rushed as it had to be done during the difficult period of the coronavirus pandemic in 2021 and limited testing opportunities. However, with the experience and learnings from that tough first event, Audi Sport’s engineers have developed a new and significantly improved prototype which will be entered in the 2022 Morocco Rally and the 2023 Dakar Rally.
“We’ve managed a good debut at the Dakar with the Audi RS Q e-tron and even our first stage victories in a motorsport discipline that is new to us,” said Rolf Michl, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH and responsible for motorsport at Audi. “The entire team is working excellently together and pulling in the same direction. As is usual at such an early stage, the drivers, co-drivers and technicians quickly agreed on the next development targets. We have summarized the result in a new evolution package – the RS Q e-tron E2.”
Main components of the first RS Q e-tron
Second phase of development program Reminiscent of the legendary Audi Sport quattro in its final development stage for Group B rallying in the 1980s, the body is completely new and features significantly enhanced aerodynamics. It also has a lower weight and centre of gravity.
“The Audi RS Q e-tron E2 does not adopt a single body part from its predecessor,” said Axel Loffler, Chief Designer of the RS Q e-tron. In order to comply with the prescribed interior dimensions, the cockpit, which was previously narrowly recessed towards the roof, is now significantly wider. The front and rear hoods have also been redesigned.
“We are now doing away with the underflow of the rear hood to the left and right of the B-pillars. In conjunction with modified lay-ups – optimized fabric layers of the composite materials – this solution reduces weight,” said Loffler.
The T1U prototypes will have to weigh 2,100 instead of 2,000 kgs in the future. Given that the first generation of the RS Q e-tron was overweight, it was still necessary to save several dozen kilograms. This is accompanied by the lowering of the vehicle’s centre of gravity.
New aerodynamic concept The aerodynamic concept in the area of the body below the hoods is completely new. This section is somewhat like the shape of a boat’s hull: its widest point is at the height of the cockpit, while the body tapers significantly towards the front and rear.
The designers dispensed with the part of the fenders that was behind the front wheels and formed the transition to the door. Internally, this structure was called the ‘elephant foot’ and as a result, it saved more weight and optimized the airflow.
“The aerodynamic aspect should not be underestimated in desert rallying either,” said Axel Loffler, Chief Designer of the RS Q e-tron. “Admittedly, the new cockpit dimensions mean that the body has a larger and therefore less favourable cross-section. Nevertheless, it was possible to reduce the overall aerodynamic drag by around 15%. But this does not change the top speed, which remains limited to 170 km/h in the regulations.”
Nevertheless, the improved airflow offers one major advantage. “It further reduces the energy requirements of the electrically powered car,” explained Loffler. “We implemented the aerodynamic calculations entirely using computational fluid dynamics. These computer simulations replace the time-consuming work in the wind tunnel and still deliver highly precise results.”
Simplified operation in the cockpit The drivers can look forward to their new workplaces. The displays are still in the driver’s field of view and located in the centre console in the usual style, and the central switch panel with its 24 fields has also been retained. However, the engineers have restructured the displays and controls.
They can also work much more easily when there is a puncture, which is not uncommon in off-road events. Simple, flat and easily removable body components replace the previous bulky covers for the spare wheels in the flanks. The new 10-spoke rims are much easier to handle, making the change of wheels safe and quick.
New operating strategies further improve the efficiency of the electric drivetrain. The drivetrain of the RS Q e-tron E2 comprises an energy converter consisting of an internal combustion engine and a generator, as well as a high-voltage battery pack. Two electric motors are used to power the front and rear axles.
Better energy management Energy management plays a crucial role here. The electronic control system of the complex electric drivetrain proved its worth in the first rally events and issues only occurred in extreme cases. At the Dakar Rally, for example, it was noted that there were short-term surpluses of power in situations where the wheels made less contact with the ground while jumping or on uneven terrain.
The so-called auxiliary consumers also benefit from optimized control. The servo pump, the air-conditioning cooling pump and the fans have a measurable impact on the energy balance. In the course of the debut season this year, the Audi and Q Motorsport rally team gained valuable experience that enables better assessment.
The air-conditioning system, for example, works so aggressively that it could cause the coolant to freeze when constantly running at its maximum output. In the future, the system will run in an intermittent mode. This saves energy, yet the interior temperatures only fluctuate slightly, even over longer periods.
“We have combined all the important lessons in a very short time. The result of our ideas is the E2 evolution,” says Uwe Breuling, Head of Vehicle Operations Audi Sport. “Our development team’s determined and cost-efficient work has prepared us perfectly for our second Dakar Rally.”
Audi has confirmed that it will race in the Formula 1 World Championship from the 2026 season, with Audi Sport being responsible for the activity. As a consequence, the high-performance division is discontinuing its LMDh project for endurance racing but will continue with the RS-Q e-tron project for the Dakar Rally. It will announce the team partner by the end of this year.
Audi recognizes Formula 1’s high popularity in its key markets as well as with young target groups. It has particular interest in the sport because it is seen as ‘a spectacular platform for the most demanding electrified racing cars in the world ‘and the brand will be able to show its ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ in this highly competitive environment.
Formula 1 is watched globally and one of the sporting events with the highest reach in the world. In 2021, more than 1.5 billion TV viewers watched the races. On social media, Formula 1 is now experiencing the highest growth rates among the world’s most popular sports.
“Motorsport is an integral part of Audi’s DNA,” said Markus Duesmann, Chairman of the Board of Management of Audi AG. “Formula 1 is both a global stage for our brand and a highly challenging development laboratory. The combination of high performance and competition is always a driver of innovation and technology transfer in our industry. With the new rules, now is the right time for us to get involved. After all, Formula 1 and Audi both pursue clear sustainability goals.”
The key to getting involved is the world’s most popular racing series is the clear plan to become more sustainable and cost-efficient. The new technical rules, which will apply from 2026, focus on greater electrification and advanced sustainable fuel, areas which Audi has been active in developing.
In addition to the existing cap on costs for teams, a cost cap for power unit manufacturers will be introduced in 2023. Formula 1 has also set itself the ambitious goal of being a carbon-neutral racing series by 2030.
“In view of these major technological leaps that the series is making towards sustainability in 2026, we can speak of a new Formula 1. Formula 1 is transforming, and Audi wants to actively support this journey. A close link between our Formula 1 project and AUDI AG’s Technical Development department will enable synergies,” said Oliver Hoffmann, Member of the Board for Technical Development.
For 7 years (until 2021), Audi Sport was involved in the Formula E series with the ABT Schaeffler team. The team was the most successful in the all-electric single-seater series with 14 victories out of 84 races.
From 2026, the electric power output for the power units, consisting of an electric motor, battery, control electronics, and a combustion engine, will increase sharply compared to today’s Formula 1 drive systems. The electric motor will then be nearly as powerful as the combustion engine, which has an output of about 544 bhp. The highly efficient 1.6-litre turbocharged engines run on advanced sustainable fuel – also a prerequisite for Audi’s entry into the series.
Audi Sport to develop power unit
The hybrid power unit will be built at Audi Sport’s Competence Centre Motorsport in Neuburg an der Donau, not far from Audi’s headquarters in Ingolstadt, Germany. “For the development and manufacture of the Formula 1 powertrain, we will build on the valuable expertise of our motorsport employees, continue to invest in our motorsports center, and also recruit highly specialized professionals,” said Audi Sport Managing Director Julius Seebacht.
The facility already has test benches for F1 engine testing as well as for electric motor and battery testing. Additional necessary preparations are currently being made in terms of personnel, buildings, and technical infrastructure, with everything essential to be in place by the end of the year. A separate company was recently established for the power unit project as a wholly owned subsidiary of Audi Sport.
The Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron to be driven by Ken Block has been completed and will make its North American debut at the Rolex Motorsport Reunion later this month. This is the first time the drift artist is working with Audi after having long associations with Ford and Subaru.
Unlike all previous cars that Block has used, the S1 e-tron quattro – to be used in the next installment of his famous Gymkhana series, ‘Electrikhana’ – does not run on petrol because it has no combustion engine. Instead, it has dual motors powered by electricity, and Block will show that even with electrification, extreme performance is still possible.
Design of the S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron was inspired by the legendary quattro S1 (below) that set a new record in the Pikes Peak Hillclimb in the 1980s.
Inspiration for the design of the one-off car came from the legendary quattro S1 rallycar that sped up Pikes Peak in record time. The entire development, including the technology, of the S1 Hoonitron was conducted by Audi Sport.
Audi Design was brought in for the styling work only in December 2021. Typically for a project of this magnitude, designers and engineers would spend a year or more just developing the concept. However, in the case of the S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron, an accelerated timeline of just 4 weeks was targeted at the Audi Sport facility in Germany.
After about a month of labour-intensive work, the S1 Hoonitron was finalized. Block flew over to provide his input and also learn how to drive an all-electric car sideways and in circles. “I’m familiar with a wide variety of cars using internal combustion engines and transmissions, but there were a lot of new things for me to learn. Spinning into a donut at 150 km/h directly from standstill – just using my right foot – was an all-new experience for me! Our work was focused on getting the car and I used to each other. My thanks go to the whole Audi Sport squad for their outstanding teamwork,” he said.
“The S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron combines a lot of what Audi was already famous for in the 1980s,” added Block. “For instance, the car’s spectacular aerodynamics have now been translated into a totally modern form. I think it’s cool that the Audi designers have been inspired by their own past and uniquely transferred the car’s technologies and appearance into the present.”
The S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron brings electrification directly to the performance car enthusiast’s doorstep. Besides powerful electric motors, there’s all-wheel drive, a carbonfibre chassis, and incorporation of the full suite of safety standards as dictated by the FIA.
From 1984 to 1987, Walter Rohrl, as a member of the Audi Sport team, drove the original Sport quattro S1 during the Group B era of rallying. Audi had gained an unfair advantage in the early 1980s when it used the quattro all-wheel drive system in its rallycars. The ‘unfair advantage’ propelled the success of the brand in off-road, pavement, and track competitions alike, with significant performance benefits.
Today, the Audi quattro system has evolved with the latest technologies and credentials adapted from the world of motorsports. The modern interpretation, the S1 Hoonitron, serves as a nod to this significant period, while remaining sharply focused on the commitment toward electrification.
The sale of electric vehicles (EVs) in high volumes began 12 years ago, when Nissan introduced its LEAF. Since then, the number of EVs in use has grown rapidly and the question of what to do with the batteries at the end of their life powering vehicles is becoming a serious matter. The batteries can still be used for other purposes and some manufacturers are exploring practical ways of reusing them.
One possible second-life use case is being tested in India by a German–Indian start-up called Nunam. The aim of the project is to explore how modules made with automotive high-voltage batteries can be reused by installing them in electric rickshaws.
“The old batteries are still extremely powerful,” says Nunam co-founder Prodip Chatterjee. “When used appropriately, second-life batteries can have a huge impact, helping people in challenging life situations earn an income and gain economic independence – everything in a sustainable way.”
3 prototypes The non-profit start-up based in Berlin and Bangalore is funded by the Audi Environmental Foundation. Nunam developed the three prototype rickshaws in collaboration with the training team at Audi’s Neckarsulm site which, in turn, benefits from the intensive intercultural exchange. This is the first joint project between both AUDI AG and the Audi Environmental Foundation in addition to Nunam.
The 3 electric rickshaws are powered by used batteries taken from test vehicles in the Audi e-tron test fleet. They will appear on Indian roads in early 2023 when the pilot project gets underway with a non-profit organization. Women in particular will be able to use the all-electric rickshaws to transport their goods to market for sale, all without the need for intermediaries.
Looking for new uses The start-up’s primary goal is to develop ways to use old batteries as second-life power storage systems, thus both extending their lives and using resources more efficiently. “Car batteries are designed to last the life of the car. But even after their initial use in a vehicle, they still have a lot of their power,” Chatterjee explained. “For vehicles with lower range and power requirements, as well as lower overall weight, they are extremely promising.”
“ In our second-life project, we reuse batteries from electric cars in electric vehicles; you might call it electric mobility ‘lite’. In this way, we’re trying to find out how much power the batteries can still provide in this demanding use case,” he said.
Reusing e-waste E-rickshaws have an ideal eco-efficiency. With a high-energy-density battery pack and comparatively low vehicle weight, the electric motor doesn’t have to be particularly powerful – especially since rickshaw drivers in India travel neither fast nor far. While electrically-powered rickshaws are not an uncommon sight on the roads of the sub-continent today, they often run on lead-acid batteries, which have a relatively short service life and are often not disposed of properly.
At the same time, rickshaw drivers charge their vehicles primarily with public grid electricity, which has a high proportion of coal-fired power in India. Nunam has a solution for this as well: The e-rickshaws charge using power from solar charging stations. The solar panels are located on the roofs of the local partner’s premises. During the day, sunlight charges an e-tron battery, which acts a buffer storage unit. And in the evening, the power is passed on to the rickshaws.
This approach makes local driving largely carbon-free. The benefit is that the electric rickshaws can be used throughout the day – and still be charged with green power during the evening and night. In India, where the sun shines all year round, placing solar panels on the roof is an obvious solution.
Open-source platform encourages imitators Nunam will continuously monitor the e-rickshaws’ performance and range. The social entrepreneurs make all the e-rickshaw data they collect available to potential imitators on the open-source platform. In fact, imitation is expressly encouraged.
“Initiatives like the one pioneered by Nunam are needed to find new use cases for e-waste. Not only in India, but worldwide. So Nunam shares its knowledge to motivate more initiatives to develop products with second-life components that can drive the eco-social revolution forward,” said Audi Environmental Foundation Director Rudiger Recknagel.
And even after the battery has spent its first life in an Audi e-tron and its second in an e-rickshaw, it has not necessarily reached the end of the road. In a third step, the battery could still be used for stationary applications such as LED lighting. “We want to get everything possible out of each battery before recycling,” said Chatterjee.
As reported earlier, the Audi business in Malaysia has come under PHS Automotive Malaysia (PHSAM), a subsidiary of Porsche Holding Salzburg (PHS) which is also involved in Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia. PHS is one of the largest and most successful automotive distributors in Europe with a 75-year history.
For the Audi business in Malaysia, its dealer partner Goh Brothers Motor Sdn Bhd has reopened the Audi Centre Setia Alam. Strategically located in the heart of the Setia Alam in Selangor, Audi Centre Setia Alam will serve the community within the township and surrounding areas, including Shah Alam and Klang.
Based on the Audi Terminal architectural concept, the 4-storey outlet is a 4S facility, meaning it offers sales, vehicle maintenance, sales of spare parts, and also body and paint services. Customer facilities include a comfortable lounge with complimentary wifi service and a refreshed sales delivery area (for a personalised experience).
The 60,000 sq. ft. Audi Centre Setia Alam has a warm and inviting ambience. The finishes, furniture, and lighting add a modern touch to provide a timeless interior design. The showroom can accommodate 12 vehicles for viewing from all angles.
The Service Centre, situated on two upper floors, has 17 bays capable of servicing up to 34 vehicles cars a day. All personnel are experienced and trained to look after Audi vehicles. Audi owners can also request for the pick-up and delivery service if they require it.
“Customer satisfaction is at the forefront of everything we do, and this makes delivering an unforgettable ownership experience a priority for us. For this, it is important to work together with our dealer partners to ensure constant improvements in retail and aftersales for Audi owners. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Goh Brothers Motor on this expansion, and I wish them the very best,” said the Managing Director of PHSAM, Erik Winter.
To celebrate the occasion of reopening, Audi Centre Setia Alam invites owners who have not visited the service centre in the past 6 months to bring their vehicles in for a complimentary 20-point safety diagnostic and health check. This service is valued at RM300 and will be complimentary until August 31, 2022.
PHS Automotive Malaysia (PHSAM) has taken over as the official distributor of the Audi brand in Malaysia. Like Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM), PHSAM is owned by Porsche Holding Salzburg, a leading automotive retailer in Europe which also has operations in China, Japan, South America and Southeast Asia.
PHSAM will be involved in wholesale, marketing and aftersales activities for the Audi brand in the country. Currently, there are Audi Centres located in Juru (Penang) and Glenmarie (Selangor, and an authorised Service Centre in Ipoh. The Audi Centre in Setia Alam, Selangor will resume operations on August 1, 2022.
Leading the PHSAM team are two Managing Directors – Erik Winter and Kurt Leitner – who also hold similar positions at VPCM. Together, they have played key roles in steering the success of the Volkswagen brand in Malaysia, including the expansion of its locally-assembled product line-up.
“The premium automotive landscape is extremely competitive, and we have plenty to do and multiple challenges to overcome, but we are fully committed to the growth of the Audi brand. Audi is one of the world’s leading premium brands and has a loyal local following that spans generations, so there is untapped potential in the Malaysian market,” said Mr. Winter.
“Our focus will be on strengthening the SUV, S line and quattro range, with electrification playing a major role in the Company’s future planned roadmap. With the strength of our team’s experience and backed by PHS’ global expertise, we are confident of sustainable growth for the Audi brand,’’ he added.
Management processes are already in place, with other priorities being expanding aftersales services and strengthening the existing dealer network to achieve profitable growth. “Customer satisfaction is top of the list for us, and we recognise the importance of a strong working relationship with our dealer partners to grow and reach our targets and enhance the ownership experience for our customers,” said Mr. Leitner.
The present product line-up for the Malaysian market. All Audi cars purchased authorised showrooms from July 1, 2022 will be offered with 3 years of free scheduled maintenance, 5 years unlimited mileage warranty and 5 years of complimentary roadside assistance.
The auto industry is rapidly ‘electrifying’ its products as part of its efforts to address climate change. While it has been producing and selling more and more electric vehicles (EVs), the network of recharging stations has not grown as quickly in some countries. In Malaysia, for example, the number of recharging stations can still be said to be limited and far apart.
Premium Charging Hub concept
In order to support their customers’ needs, some carmakers have worked with other companies to build up the networks. One approach that has proven to be successful is in Germany where Audi introduced a pilot charging hub last December. The concept, said to be a first in the world, is aimed at providing EV owners a recharging facility if they don’t have any charging opportunities at home. That’s a situation that is evident in urban areas with multi-storey housing and no place for installation of wallboxes.
“We want to use it to test flexible and premium-oriented quick-charging infrastructure in urban space,” says Ralph Hollmig, Audi’s charging hub project manager. “We’re going where our customers don’t necessarily wake up in the morning with a fully charged electric car and, at the same time, thinking about increasing charging demand in the future.”
Self-sustaining power supply
Cubes are the foundation of the Audi charging hub. The flexible container cubes can be assembled and disassembled again in existing areas in a few days. The cubes provide two fast-charging stations for each unit and can be combined in various constellations. Used and processed lithium-ion batteries packs function as energy storage systems. These are known as ‘second-life’ batteries taken from dismantled development vehicles previously used by the carmaker.
The approach reduces costs and resources, and makes complex infrastructure with high-voltage power lines and expensive transformers unnecessary. This means that there are also less procedures that would need to be obtained from authorities for laying cables to draw electricity from the power grid.
This system brings sustainable quick-charging infrastructure where the electricity grid is not enough. Up to six EVs can charge at one time at high speed. With a green power contract in place, the Audi charging hub only uses energy from sustainable resources, while solar panels on the roof provide up to 30 kW of additional green energy.
Positive feedback to pilot hub
The first such charging hub was installed in Nuremberg and feedback after 6 months has been overwhelmingly positive, according to Audi. It is evident that EV owners like the idea enough that repeat visitors accounted for some 60% of charging sessions.
Additionally, there is a lounge integrated in the facility with a terrace above the charging cubes. The comfortable lounge has catering as well. Vehicle owners can work and relax while waiting for their vehicles to be recharged. The status of the recharging can be followed on a large screen in the lounge. Frequent use was also made of additional services such as the exchange station for micromobility batteries and a grocery delivery service.
More charging hubs to be set up
Based on the insights gained in Nuremberg and the positive customer feedback, Audi is opening another version of the modular Audi charging hub system in Zurich in the second half of this year. This will have 4 roofed charging points at 2 power cubes The tighter space requirements tailored to suit urban locations are the perfect fit for Zurich’s banking and insurance district.
Additional advantages include short prep times for planning and implementation as well as a lack of any need for civil engineering work. An essential component of the adaptable, compact concept is the reworked swivel arm that ensures barrier-free charging of all the cars across the entire width of the individual charging points with up to 320 kW of power.
Two 55-inch screens draw customers’ attention to the broad services available at the hub. Besides food and fitness offerings as well as shopping, there are also e-bike sharing facilities nearby. More compact than the site in Nuremberg, the Audi charging hub in Zurich is also based on the same modular design that enables the construction of a variously sized charging hub with or without a lounge. “The system’s modular design lets us react flexibly to on-site conditions,” explained Hollmig.
After Zurich, Audi is planning additional charging hub sites in Berlin and Salzburg later in the year. These three sites are expected to help meet the increased charging demands in urban spaces starting in 2023. Additional sites are planned to open in other cities Germany in 2023 and mid-2024.
The third of Audi’s ‘sphere’ concept cars showing its idea of premium electric vehicles in future in three different segments has been unveiled today: the Audi urbansphere. Where the 2021 skysphere was a roadster GT concept and the grandsphere that followed was a luxury sedan, the urbansphere takes the form of an MPV.
urbansphere
skysphere
grandsphere
‘Co-created’ with Chinese customers
Designed by teams in China and Germany, the urbansphere has been conceived with Chinese customers involvement as well. For the first time, potential customers in China could also take part in the development process, contributing their own perspectives as part of a process known as ‘co-creation’. “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,” said Markus Duesmann, Chairman of the Audi Board of Management and responsible for the Chinese market.
It is the largest model in the sphere family and even of all Audi concept cars to date, measuring 5510 mm in length, 2010 mm in width and 1780 mm tall. The silhouette of the body features traditional Audi shapes and elements, combined to create a new composition featuring the signature Singleframe. The implied wedge shape of the vehicle body is emphasized by the large, flat windscreen.
At the front, the Audi Singleframe is shaped like a large octagon. Even though the grille has lost its original function as an air intake because this is an electric vehicle, it still remains prominent as an unmistakable signature of the brand. The digital light surface lies behind a slightly tinted, transparent visor that covers a large area of the front.
The 3-dimensional light structure itself is arranged in dynamically condensed pixel areas. The upper and lower edges of the Singleframe are still made of aluminium and the vertical connections are formed by LEDs as part of the light surface. The lighting units to the right and left of the Singleframe look narrow, like focused eyes.
These digital lighting units, known as ‘Audi Eyes’, echo the brand’s four rings as they enlarge and isolate the intersection of two rings to form a pupil – a new, unmistakable digital light signature. The illuminated surfaces – and therefore the expression of the ‘eyes’ – can be adapted to the traffic situation, environment, or even the mood of the passengers. As a daytime running light, the gaze can be focused or open, and the ‘iris’ can be narrow or wide. A digitally created ‘eyebrow’ also functions as a dynamic turn signal when required.
MPV of the future?
Though it may be considered an MPV by today’s definition, Audi feels that the urbansphere defies classification into conventional vehicle categories. The monolithic design shares commonalities with the other two concept cars, as do the sculpted, soft shape of the wheelarches. Despite the stately proportions, elegance, dynamism, and an organic design language should come to mind.
‘Third living space’
The 3.4-metre long wheelbase allows a spacious interior designed as a lounge on wheels, serving as a third living space during the time spent on the roads of densely populated cities like Beijing. It can also have a role as a mobile office in which occupants can have meetings or work while moving around. Four individual seats in two rows offer first-class comfort and the seating can also cater to passengers’ changing social needs in a variety of ways.
The interior of the urbansphere is not subject to the dimensional constraints nor limited by the physics of driving. The interior designers had what is the largest interior space in an Audi vehicle to date to prioritize occupant comfort. To this end, it can be a mobile interactive space that provides a gateway to a wider digital ecosystem.
“To make e-mobility even more attractive, we think about it holistically and from the customer’s needs,” said Duesmann. “More than ever before, it is not just the product that is decisive, but the entire ecosystem. That is why Audi is creating a comprehensive ecosystem with services for the entire car. The Audi urbansphere concept offers everyone onboard a wide range of options to use that freedom to provide a highly-personalized in-car experience: communication or relaxation, work or withdrawal into a private sphere as desired. As such, it transforms from being strictly an automobile into an ‘experience device’.“
Customized infotainment offerings are available, such as the seamless integration of onboard music and video streaming services. There is a large-format and transparent OLED screen that pivots vertically from the roof area into the zone between the rows of seats. Using this ‘cinema screen’, which occupies the entire width of the interior, the two passengers in the back row can take part in a video conference together or watch a movie.
Wellness zone, suggested by Chinese customers
The urbansphere also qualifies as a wellness zone, thanks to digital options that emerged in no small part through input from the co-creation process with Chinese customers. Stress detection is a prime example – this adaptive program uses facial scans and voice analysis to determine how passengers are feeling and offers personalized suggestions for relaxation, for example with a meditation app that can be used via the personal screen and the private sound zone in the headrests.
Many of the materials in the interior, such as the hornbeam veneers, come from sustainable sources. This choice of material makes it possible to use wood that has grown close to the site, and the entire trunk can be utilized. No chemicals are used during the manufacturing process.
Audi Light Umbrella
As a special tribute to China, the designers provide a luminous accessory that passengers can take with them when they leave the urbansphere – the Audi Light Umbrella. This self-illuminating umbrella inspired by traditional Chinese umbrellas acts as a protective companion and multifunctional light source. The inner skin is made of reflective material, so the entire surface acts as a glare-free lighting unit.
Because the urbansphere has level 4 autonomous technology which frees its occupants of the need to be directly involved in its operation, it can pick up passengers at their home or office and independently takes care of finding a parking space and charging the battery.
Premium Platform Electric
The urbansphere is a concept and design study so much of what it shows are proposals for the future. However, the Premium Platform Electric or PPE is something that is already in use by Audi and Porsche. It has been specifically designed for battery-electric drive systems and the is a battery module between the axles. Audi has succeeded in achieving a flat layout for the battery module by using almost the entire base of the vehicle between the axles.
The battery module can store around 120 kWh of energy to power 2 electric motors capable of delivering a total system output of 295 kW/690 Nm. There is one electric motor on each of the front and rear axles which, by means of electronic coordination, implements the permanently available all-wheel drive as required. The motor on the front axle can be deactivated as required in order to reduce friction and thus energy consumption when coasting.
The powertrain has 800V charging technology which will make it possible for recharging with up to 270 kW at fast-charging stations in the shortest possible time. This will enable charging times to approach those of a conventional stop to refuel a car powered by a combustion engine. Just 10 minutes would be enough to charge the battery to a level sufficient to cover more than 300 kms. Audi expects that a fully charge battery module would be able to provide a range of up to 750 kms, even when used for more energy-intensive city and short-distance trips.
“These concept vehicles embody our brand strategy. They show how we imagine the near future of premium mobility,” said Henrik Wenders, Senior Vice-President of the Audi brand. For him, the future is a design space to offer people new experiences in ‘spheres’ during their journey.
