Audi condensed all that "the future is coming" stuff into one scary concept. It's called the Aicon, has no steering wheel and looks like it works for Skynet.
Unlike the RSQ from 2004's I, Robot, the Aicon doesn't want people in control. So it does away with the steering wheel, the gear shifter and the pedals. It also doesn't have airbags and other safety barriers, thus freeing up a lot of space inside the cabin.
But it's also very large, from one bumper to another, the concept measures 18 feet, plus or minus an inch. To be more precise with the measurements, it's 5,444 mm (214.3 inches) in length, 2,100 mm (82.6 inches) in width and 1,506 mm (59.3 inches) regarding height.
At 3,470mm (136.6 inches), the wheelbase is 240 mm (9.4 inches) more extensive than that of the A8 flagship. You could park a Fiat 500 inside there. That's probably why the ridiculously large 26-inch wheels look normal.
Among the things Audi has re-invented are the headlights. These don't really need to light the road, so they've been replaced with 600 very fat pixels that give out information to other cars and pedestrians.
The front end design features the new inverted hexagonal Singleframe grille, which will be seen on the e-tron SUV, and a raked back windshield. For the first time in a concept, Audi was also able to put a hard edge on the side window surfaces.
You've heard of Bixby and Siri? Now meet Audi's Pia, which is described as an "empathetic electronic vehicle assistant." Hopefully, you can order the voice of Kaley Cuoco, because we don't want any strong Brunhilda-like German voices telling us what to do.
Power comes from a battery found under the floor that feeds about 350 horsepower's worth of electric motors. That doesn't sound like much, but since you're not in control, it doesn't matter. The Aicon should be able to cover distances between 700 and 800 kilometers (435.0 - 497.1 mi) on a single charge and charge back up to 80% in 30 minutes.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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