AutoElectric VehiclesForget the Tesla Cybertruck, you want this electric Audi pickup truck insteadA luxury coupé that turns into a pickup? Yes, please!When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
AutoElectric VehiclesForget the Tesla Cybertruck, you want this electric Audi pickup truck insteadA luxury coupé that turns into a pickup? Yes, please!When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
A luxury coupé that turns into a pickup? Yes, please!
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Audi)
(Image credit: Audi)
The fourth and final car in theAudi Sphere serieshas just been unveiled – the Activesphere. Previouslyteased at the end of December, the Activesphere is a unique crossover concept that transforms from a luxury coupé into an equally luxurious pickup truck.
The Activesphere is all about getting closer to nature than ever before, so Audi has added windows to the door base and front of the car. Plus, the Ativesphere has been designed to easily transport skis, on the retractable roof rack, and bikes via the boot that transforms into a flatbed.
It certainly looks the part, with its monolithic design. It’s almost the antithesis of the Tesla Cybertruck, with almost no hard edges in sign and smooth transitions between convex and concave surfaces throughout the body.
Don’t let that sleek exterior fool you into thinking this can’t handle the rough stuff however, as the Activesphere features tyres with movable segments that improve ventilation when off-road (and close on-road for optimum aerodynamics), an electronically controlled Quattro all-wheel drive system, and variable ground clearance.
(Image credit: Audi)
(Image credit: Audi)
On the inside, the Activesphere boasts more futuristic Audi tech - the Audi Dimension. Doing away with traditional screens, this mixed reality is viewed through headsets in the car, overlaying the real world with digital feeds.
This means all driver-relevant information, such as driving status, range, and navigation, can be displayed, whilst someone not wearing the headset can enjoy the decluttered, minimalist interior.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Audi claims this allows car controls to be designed more logically, so, for example, the AC control hoovers in front of the air vent, and the entertainment and sound interactive panel hoovers over the speaker.
Also, in off-road mode, for example, high-resolution 3D topography graphics can be projected onto the landscape ahead and information on navigation and the destination can be displayed. Traffic safety information, such as alerts for traffic jams or slippery roads, can also be used here.
It’s certainly an interesting idea, but ultimately one that seems a very long way off as VR and AR haven’t really gripped consumers' imaginations yet. Maybe whenApple launches its Reality Pro headsetit’ll really start to take off.
(Image credit: Audi)
(Image credit: Audi)
Okay, so what would it actually be like to drive the Activesphere? Audi boasts it will have a drive system and suspension which make it equally adept both on and off road.
The steering wheel and pedals allow the driver to actively control the car, while also offering autonomous driving for a more relaxed time on the road.
Due to its dimensions and performance level, the Audi Activesphere concept lends itself to the use of Audi’s most innovative electric drive system: the Premium Platform Electric, or PPE for short.
The key element of future PPE vehicles is a battery module between the axles; in the Activesphere concept, it holds around 100kWh of energy. Electric motors on the front and rear axles of the all-wheel drive Concept deliver a total output of 325kW and a system torque of 720Nm of torque. This helps it accelerate from 0 to 62mph in 4.9 seconds.
(Image credit: Audi)
(Image credit: Audi)
The heart of the drive technology in the Activesphere Concept Audi’s 800-volt charging technology. Like the Audi e-tron GT quattro before it, this ensures that the battery can be charged with up to 270 kW in a very short time at fast-charging stations.
Just 10 minutes is enough time to charge the battery to a level sufficient to power the car for more than 186 miles. And in less than 25 minutes, the 100kWh battery charges from 5 to 80-percent.
This is all certainly an exciting glimpse of electric vehicles to come.
Samsung Galaxy S25: every leak, rumour and spec we’ve heard before the launch eventThis is everything we’ve heard about the new handsets
This is everything we’ve heard about the new handsets
This case turns your iPhone or Android phone into an e-reader, but there’s a catchActually, there are a couple…
Actually, there are a couple…
