Concept cars come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The Skysphere Concept, which Audi has now digitally unveiled, is unique in more ways than one. It is a massive autonomous open two-seater GT car, that can drive itself.

However, the biggest highlight of this long electric roadster with a soft-top is its ability to change its dimensions on the fly by 9.8 inches. Yes, you heard that right, at the push of a button, the 16-feet long GT extends its length and gets even longer to 17-feet.

Overview

The auto industry today is in a period of transition. The future of mobility is more than just alternative powertrains; It is also about the better utilization of space in a vehicle. Not only is the car transitioning from combustion to electric, but it is also transitioning from a mode of transportation to becoming an interactive vehicle, allowing for unique experiences onboard.

Audi is putting this "Ideal Future" to the test with the Audi Skysphere, the first in a series of concept vehicles that will be unveiled to the public this week at the Concours d'Elegance event in Pebble Beach in Monterey, California. The project began at the Audi Design Loft and was completed digitally from the onset. The designs were then sent to Germany for the concept to be realized.

The Skysphere Concept represents the very first vehicle of the three proposed concepts to come out of the Artemis Project. It is based on the Scalable Systems Platform and will serve as the foundation for the Volkswagen Group's new range of electric vehicles.}

Exterior - Dimensions That Change On The Fly

Ever had the dilemma of owning a practical car for the weekdays and a small roadster for the weekends? What if you could combine the best of both? Well, Audi has done exactly that with the new Skysphere concept.

In this mode, the driver can relax as the Audi Skysphere offers Level 4 Autonomous driving. This is only possible because of the use of electric motors and a clever mechanism that allows the body and frame components of the car to slide.

Design-wise, this concept is nothing short of breathtaking. It has the classic proportions of a roadster. In fact, the design of the Skysphere harkens back to the 1938 Horch 853A with its long hood, set-back cabin, and low overhangs. Despite the fact that the Horch served as inspiration, the format of the Skysphere Concept bears no resemblance to it.

Lighting is a trademark Audi feature and this time around, the front end incorporates LED light clusters that are reminiscent of the Audi A6 e-Tron Concept that debuted at the Shanghai Motor Show. The back end tapers to a point, and behind the trunk lid. Audi's large wheel arches are characteristic and have a hint of Quattro in there. Audi also includes a hardtop for individuals who prefer a coupe to an open roadster.

Interior - That Is Nothing Short Of A Lounge

Audi's future of interior design has been explored on this concept with an aim to maximize the use of Level 4 autonomous driving technology. You can access the vehicle via large suicide doors that are hinged at the rear, to step into the lounge-like cabin. The beautiful interior is inspired by the Art Deco period. Using sustainable materials, it combines microfiber fabric and blue-green seats with leatherette and eucalyptus wood in the cabin inlays.

The most noticeable change, however, occurs when you switch between the two available drive modes, which are Sport Mode and GT Mode. In GT Mode, the large touch screens 55-inch widescreen display driving information or Internet material such as streaming movies, making video calls. Touch panels on the doors regulate the air conditioning.

When you switch to Sport mode on the Skysphere, the steering wheel and pedals extend out from under the dashboard toward you. As a result, the unit in front of the driver literally slides forward.

Performance

The Audi Skyphere is, of course, outfitted with the latest technology that one would expect from such a display of a brand’s engineering prowess. It takes advantage of the roadster's relatively low weight for an electric car at 3,968 pounds. According to Audi, the Skysphere can get from 0 to 62 mph in four seconds.

The battery modules have a capacity of 80 kWh. They are positioned beneath the cabin and between the seats in the central tunnel, lowering the vehicle's center of gravity and improving its performance. With the batteries situated behind the passenger compartment for better weight distribution, 60-percent of the car's weight lies on the rear axle.

Audi has also used steer-by-wire technology on this concept, which means that there is no longer a physical connection between the steering control and the wheels. The vehicle also sports an adjustable air suspension system and rear-wheel steering which comes in handy, to improve the agility of this rather long GT car.

Conclusion

The Skysphere Concept, as well as the yet-to-be-unveiled Grandsphere and Urbansphere, demonstrate Audi's vision for the future for luxury vehicles. These three cars, which are part of the Artemis project, represent the German brand’s vehicles that will be electrified, networked, and self-driving.

The Skysphere will be officially unveiled to the public on August 13 during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, at the Monterey Car Week, not too far from Audi's Design Studio in Malibu, where it was created.

Audi Skysphere Concept