With its quartet of Sphere concepts, Audi is giving a solid preview of the new design language that will be implemented in future vehicles. The new look has been conceived exclusively for electric cars as Four Rings intend to launch their final new model with a combustion engine in 2025. Taking advantage of the dedicated EV platform, expect shorter overhangs, a longer wheelbase and a swoopy shape to make the most of aerodynamic efficiency for improvement. range.
While these facts are generally available across the industry as it gradually shifts to EVs, Audi is planning a radical shift in how it develops cars. The first order of business is creating the user interface and interior before moving on to the exterior design. In an interview with Upper Equipment magazine, German luxury brand Marc Lichte talks about a 180-degree change to prioritize the cabin.
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“In the past, the process was always the same: initially there was an internal combustion engine and a platform. Then along with sales and marketing, we decide on two seats, four seats, or six or seven seats. , then we started designing the exterior design and finally the interior. The future is just the opposite.”
By changing priorities, says Lichte PTS that Audi’s Head of UI/UX Design Sid Odedra, together with the team he leads, are now at the center of the design process: “It starts in Sid’s department and ends there as we start thinking about use cases.” Going forward, development will be based on the needs of the people in the cabin before finalizing the exterior design.
The first of Audi’s new wave of EVs is slated to arrive as early as next year with the all-new A8. It would ditch the combustion engine and adopt the avant-garde Grandsphere style. Lichte promised the full-size luxury sedan would be “very similar” to the concept, so the future for the design from Ingolstadt looks bright.
Another EV due for release in 2024 is the E-Tron A6, which will spawn the E-Tron RS6 derivative with a wider body, bigger wheels, wider track and more power. Audi is also working on a Q6 E-Tron for release next year. The SUV is paired with the next-generation electric Porsche Macan.
