At the IAA Mobility 2021 in Munich, Audi showed the latest in its “sphere” trio of concept vehicles called the Grandsphere. The follow-up to the Skysphere roadster from Monterey Car Week 2021 is an electric sedan for “first-class” private luxury travel in the greatest of comfort.

These two concept cars—as well as the Urbansphere coming in 2022—are linked by their overall concept derived from their ability to drive autonomously at SAE Level 4. Audi is working with CARIAD, the Volkswagen Group’s global software organization, aimed at introducing new ideas in technology in the second half of the decade.

Significantly, Audi says that the drive system and handling are no longer at the top of the design specifications in this new generation of cars. Instead, the starting point is the interior, the occupants’ living and experience “sphere” while traveling. Their needs and desires shape the space, architecture, and functions.

The Grandsphere is a large 2+2, with two individual front seats and integrated belts and a two-person bench in the back. The car can be driven with a traditional driver-oriented cockpit and passenger seats or in automated mode, which turns the interior into a spacious sphere with a hidden steering wheel, pedals, and displays. The front seats become first-class lounges with maximum space, more open views, and access to the functions of a holistic digital ecosystem Audi is creating. Everyone on board gets a range of options for individually varied experiences—communication or relaxation, work, or withdrawal into a private sphere—as desired.

Audi says this transforms the Grandsphere concept from strictly an automobile into an “experience device.” The brand is creating its own and curating other integrated digital services to enable access to a variety of service options related to the current trip such as designing a scenic route and booking restaurant or hotel options. The car is designed to pick up its passengers, with information about their destination, and independently handles parking and charging.

Customized infotainment options are available, such as the integration of continued onboard streams from music and video providers. In addition, Audi will provide personalized and exclusive options for concerts, cultural, and sporting events.

Before they enter through suicide doors with no B-pillar, the car identifies its passengers with a pathway that opens the doors and welcomes them with individually staged displays and ambient light. The driver and passenger positions are automatically detected and an array of personal comfort features—such as settings for climate control and seat—are adjusted. The infotainment system can access the passengers’ most recently used services and resume them inside the car.

In their upright position, the front seats are for human driving outside Level 4 zones. With the backs tilted 40 degrees, passengers can relax and use the infotainment system. The backs at 60 degrees are for resting. Air is filtered, temperature-controlled, and scented as desired, and speakers can be configured to be inaudible to each passenger for private aural zones.

The car’s “reduced-design” interior has no visible instruments or black screens on entry. Instead, the surfaces are of wood, wool, synthetic textile fabrics, and metal, many of the materials coming from more sustainable sources or recycled raw materials.

When displays are required, they are projected onto the wooden surfaces under the windshield. Depending on the driving status, whether manual with a steering wheel or Level 4, the displays are either distributed across the entire width of the interior or segmented for the driver and front passenger. The MMI (man-machine interface) controls can be touchless, with gesture control.

At 5.35 m (17.6 ft) long, 2 m (6.6 ft) wide, and 1.39 m (4.6 ft) tall, the Grandsphere is a typical luxury four-door GT in size, but its 3.19 m (10.5 ft) wheelbase is greater than the current Audi A8 L’s. Design highlights are a short front overhang, flat hood, and windshield that projects far forward. Unlike many electric cars, Audi says the car emphasizes traditional beauty ideals suggesting a long engine compartment—all characteristics of a GT. The short rear behind the large C-pillar is a nod to traditional streamlining.

In front, the Audi Singleframe grille features a transparent covering with a diamond pattern indirectly lit for a 3-D visual effect. The headlight units look like eyes, with the size of the light areas adjusted according to their function and traffic situation. The same graphic is also used in the rear lights.

The concept is based on the VW Group’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE) with a 120-kW·h flat battery pack between its axles. The front and rear axle electric motors are electronically coordinated to deliver all-wheel drive on-demand with a total output of 530 kW and 960 N·m (708 lb·ft). Acceleration from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) takes just over 4 s, with maximum speed limited for an increased range.

As with Audi’s current e-tron GT, the electric drive system uses 800-V technology for up to 270 kW fast-charging. At peak charging, just 10 min can net more than 300 km (186 mi) of range. In less than 25 min, the battery can be charged from 5% to 80%. The range can be more than 750 km (466 mi), depending on the selected drive system and power output.

The chassis has a front five-link axle optimized for EVs and a rear multi-link axle, with steerable rear wheels for maneuverability. The air suspension, a single chamber system with adaptive dampers, is engineered for comfort without noticeable vehicle body movements under normal conditions. The active suspension has electromechanical actuators at each wheel to reduce pitch and dive when accelerating or braking. A front camera recognizes road unevenness and adjusts the ride predictively. The navigation system’s topographical data are also used to integrate curve radii, gradients, and inclines into the system’s projection.