Photo: Audi
Audi's flagship A8 is set to get a replacement with a new shape, a fresh philosophy, and an all-electric drivetrain. The all-new model would hit the road in 2025, industry sources said, and the inspiration behind its design is clear, as the German brand is presenting three concept cars at the IAA Mobility show in Munich.
The new Grand Sphere concept is set to be the inspiration for the next-generation Audi A8, which might be called A8 e-tron. Its name is not that important now, but all you need to know about it is that it will be the flagship sedan in Audi's range, and since Audi uses the e-tron designation for its electric models, it would make sense to name it that way.
According to March Lichte, the Head of Design at Audi, the Grand Sphere concept has been designed from the inside out, which is something new if you think about the usual way that cars are created. So, instead of choosing the best possible shape for the exterior and then starting work on the interior, designers worked the other way around to create a car with more attention for its occupants.
The result of the design is a mashup of shooting brake, four-door coupe, sedan, and grand tourer. Audi will have time to sort out the details concerning the car's personality, as the concept will be shown in two months at the IAA Mobility show, which is the replacement of the Frankfurt Auto Show, and will be held this fall in Munich, Germany.
Regarding the powertrain, Audi has announced that it will no longer develop internal combustion engines for models launched after 2025. Since the successor of the A8 is set to arrive in 2025 and considering the shape of the Grand Sphere concept, it is natural to expect no combustion engine options in this model.
While the Grand Sphere concept comes with a foldable steering wheel, the production model will still let the driver control the vehicle. Audi is working on an SAE Level 4 autonomy system, but it will still include a steering wheel, as level four autonomy still allows the driver the option of controlling the car themselves.
Level five autonomy systems, not yet developed for the real world, are the only ones that will never need to have steering wheels and pedals for the driver, but those technologies are still a long way from production. And yes, in case you were wondering, Tesla's Autopilot system is just at SAE Level 3 autonomy.
According to March Lichte, the Head of Design at Audi, the Grand Sphere concept has been designed from the inside out, which is something new if you think about the usual way that cars are created. So, instead of choosing the best possible shape for the exterior and then starting work on the interior, designers worked the other way around to create a car with more attention for its occupants.
The result of the design is a mashup of shooting brake, four-door coupe, sedan, and grand tourer. Audi will have time to sort out the details concerning the car's personality, as the concept will be shown in two months at the IAA Mobility show, which is the replacement of the Frankfurt Auto Show, and will be held this fall in Munich, Germany.
Regarding the powertrain, Audi has announced that it will no longer develop internal combustion engines for models launched after 2025. Since the successor of the A8 is set to arrive in 2025 and considering the shape of the Grand Sphere concept, it is natural to expect no combustion engine options in this model.
While the Grand Sphere concept comes with a foldable steering wheel, the production model will still let the driver control the vehicle. Audi is working on an SAE Level 4 autonomy system, but it will still include a steering wheel, as level four autonomy still allows the driver the option of controlling the car themselves.
Level five autonomy systems, not yet developed for the real world, are the only ones that will never need to have steering wheels and pedals for the driver, but those technologies are still a long way from production. And yes, in case you were wondering, Tesla's Autopilot system is just at SAE Level 3 autonomy.
Google News