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While Audi’s product portfolio remains somewhat lacking when it comes to ICE-powered MPVs to rival the likes of the Mercedes-Benz V-Class, Volkswagen Caravelle and Hyundai’s Staria, its latest fully-electric concept proves otherwise.
Dubbed the Audi Urbansphere concept, it comes after the Grandsphere that broke cover last year and has the Mercedes-Benz EQV in its crosshairs while offering the largest interior space of any Audi to date.
Speaking of the size of the interior, the Audi Urbansphere concept is 5,51 m long, 2,01 m wide and 1,78 m high making it a tad smaller than the aforementioned EQV. The Urbansphere comes with no B-pillar and that allows for counter-hinged doors at the front and the rear.
The seats swivel outward and a red carpet of light projects onto the ground next to the vehicle for a bit of luxury. At 1,78 m and with expansive glass surfaces, the headroom is generous with Audi saying the dimensions provide an exceptionally spacious experience of the interior.
There are four individual seats in two rows with the rear seats offering a wide range of adjustment options. In Relax and Entertain modes, the backrest can be tilted up to 60 degrees while leg rests extend at the same time. For those seeking privacy, they can do so by concealing their head area from the person sitting next to them using a privacy screen mounted behind the headrest.
On the other hand, each seat has its own sound zone with speakers in the headrest area while individual monitors are integrated into the back of the front seats.
What stands out for us is the large-format and transparent OLED screen that pivots vertically from the room area into the zone between the seat rows. The screen can be split should passengers want to watch different things.
The interior further offers a wide range of interesting equipment in the segment such as hornbeam veneers made from sustainable sources. The sear padding is made of recycled polyamide called Econyl while Bamboo viscose fabric has also been used in the armrests and in the rear of the car.
With a front end that looks similar to the one worn by the Grandsphere concept, the Urbansphere boasts a Singleframe grille that is shaped like a large octagon with the entire surface of it becoming what Audi calls ‘Audi Light Canvas’.
The low and high beams are implemented through light segments in the outer sections of the Singleframe while the matrix LED surfaces can be found at the back.
The Audi Urbansphere features a 120 kWh battery pack and can travel up to 750 km on a single charge. It has dual electric motors, one placed on each axle that churns out 295 kW of power and 690 Nm of torque.
With the 800-volt charging technology, the battery pack can be recharged with up to 270 kW at fast-charging facilities in the shortest possible time. Audi claims the Urbansphere is capable of achieving over 300 km of driving range in just ten minutes of charging with a 5-80% charging time taking less than 25 minutes.
Like the Grandsphere, it features Level 4 autonomous ability.
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