Audi reinvents the MPV with massive Urbansphere show car

Audi seems to have reinvented the ‘people carrier’ with a huge electric concept car which is designed “primarily for use in traffic of Chinese megacities”. 

The concept car, called the Urbansphere, offers the largest interior space of any Audi to date and acts as a lounge on wheels and mobile office. Audi says it: “Serves as a third living space during the hours spent in traffic”. 

It’s huge on the outside too - at 5,510mm long, 2,010mm wide, and 1,780mm tall it is bigger in every direction than a Q7. Automated driving technology means the driver won’t have to be the one trying to negotiate city streets too often though, as the car will drive itself. 

The vehicle also takes care of everyday tasks such as making dinner reservations or shopping online from the car. In addition, the Urbansphere concept picks up its passengers at home and independently takes care of finding a parking space and charging the battery

The concept is bigger in every direction than a current Q7

Four individual seats in two rows offer passengers comfort which can be compared to the first class cabin of a plane. The seats in the rear can be tilted up to 60 degrees while leg rests extend at the same time. The seats can turn to face each other if you are feeling sociable, or if you want to ignore the other passengers, a privacy screen mounted behind the headrest can be deployed to make it clear you’re not in a chatty mood. 

In addition, each seat has its own sound zone with speakers in the headrest area. Individual monitors are also built into the backs of the front seats.

Despite its size, there are only four seats. But they are designed like the cabin of a posh jet

Amazingly, the car also has a ‘self-illuminating umbrella’. This acts as “a protective companion and multifunctional light source”. The inner skin is made of reflective material, so the entire surface acts as a glare-free lighting unit for taking selfies. It also illuminates on the outside when crossing a street or in dangerous with a flashing cone which operates automatically by means of artificial intelligence and sensors. 

Despite being designed to spend its life in traffic, the Urbanasphere has two electric motors capable of delivering a total output of 395bhp, and a 120 kWh battery which is said to be good for an official range of 466 miles. It can be charged at 270 kW at suitable DC-charging stations, so just 10 minutes are enough to take on enough charge to power the car more than 186 miles (300km). 

 There is no official word on production, but the look and some of the tech are likely to feature in future Audi models.

The driver can use the steering wheel, or let the car drive itself