At this point, there are a few big names in the luxury SUV game. Some of those players are the ever-popular Mercedes-Benz G Class, Land Rovers of all types, and Porsche. While a highly-regarded marque that produces quality vehicles, Audi generally hasn’t made huge waves in the luxury SUV world to compete with some of the aforementioned brands; their textbook German austerity and build quality has translated to a solid lineup of SUVs, but nothing really designed to compete with the “old money” feel and off-road prowess of a G Class, or the sheer performance of the Cayenne… until now. Or rather, until “a few years from now.”
Audi has teased its new “Activesphere” concept, which is essentially a slick crossover that can actually be converted into a truck, and, perhaps more importantly, a recently-announced upcoming luxury 4×4 which is likely to share a lot of similarities with the Activesphere. Instead of a car-like crossover like the Activesphere, this will be a real-deal luxury SUV designed to compete with the top contenders in the niche, with the addition of something fairly unique in Audi’s current lineup – 4×4 capability.
This sleek and stylish SUV looks to have all the features of the Mercedes G Class and Land Rover Defender, but with the addition of advanced electric technology to really bring the Audi name into the 21st century. Let’s dive in and take a look at what we know so far about the new Activesphere, and by extension, what may be coming down the pipeline from Audi’s SUV group in the future.
State of the Audi
Currently, Audi sports quite a few well-recieved SUVs in their lineup. From the more entry-level Q3 and Q5 to the performance-focused SQ8, there’s something for everyone. The Q3 is perfect for urban adventures, while the larger Q5 has a great balance of power and fuel efficiency. For those looking for something a bit sportier, the SQ8 offers luxury and performance, with an intelligent all-wheel-drive system that delivers an unparalleled driving experience.
They have begun to dabble their toes into the electric (and partially-electric) vehicle market, as well. Current offerings include the all-electric Q4 e-tron and the partially electric SQ7. Audi also currently offers a range of hybrids and plug-in hybrids, based on models including the Q5, A6, and A7. Moving forward, Audi has announced plans to expand its range of all-electric vehicles in the coming years, as part of its commitment to reducing carbon emissions and increasing sustainability. This leads us to the Activesphere concept, and, further down the road, an all-new electric 4×4.
Activesphere Aesthetics
On the outside, the Activesphere is a slick, great-looking electric vehicle. Riding high and with slick styling punctuated by some ski holders on the roof, it’s almost reminiscent of the profile of the new Porsche Dakar. The Activesphere looks to carry a suspension lift, as well as all-terrain tires to ensure the Audi can live up to its name. Of course, the streamlined styling is good for more than just looks; aerodynamics are critical to maintaining decent mileage on electric vehicles. The interior is typical of the newest crop of electric vehicles, featuring a minimal dash and quality Alcantara-looking upholstery. It’s also claimed to make use of Augmented Reality technology to improve the driving experience, but details on this specific feature are scant at this point.
An Electric Future
The Activesphere concept also features a new battery-electric powertrain, an intelligent regenerative braking system, and a host of other innovative features to elevate Audi’s electric lineup to the cream of the crop. Many, if not most, of the design and engineering cues featured here will make it to the SUV, including an all-new ladder frame. While you’d normally never pay it any mind, the frame is a crucial component of electric vehicles, as it must support the tremendous weight of the batteries required, and also maintain enough capability to ensure owners are able to use their electric SUVs more or less like a regular truck.
A Lot to Look Forward To
An all-electric, 4×4 Audi SUV is certainly something to look forward to. Unfortunately, it looks slated to hit the streets four years from press time, in 2023. In the meantime, we will keep you updated with the latest news from Audi and the development of this vehicle. This electric 4×4 will likely hit the market around the same time as the fully-electric G Class, perhaps even sooner, and will likely be a strong seller for Audi, although it’s impossible to predict just where the EV market will end up five years from now. Will we see continuing electrification
With its unique combination of performance, luxury, and sustainability that we know of so far, the new Audi EV SUV looks like it will be a formidable player in the luxury SUV market – and the Activesphere looks great, too!
