The Audi Skysphere concept can morph from a roadster into a Grand Tourer

Audi is redefining luxury in the future with the new Skysphere concept.

The car was designed with goal of offering its occupants captivating and world-class experiences.

To do this, the Skysphere concept is able to deliver two different driving experiences: A grand touring experience and a sports experience. And it does so by offering a variable wheelbase, adjusted via electric motors and sophisticated body and frame components that slide into one another.

With the touch of button, the driver has the freedom to choose their own driving experience - either they pilot their 4,940mm-long e-roadster themselves in 'Sports' mode with a reduced wheelbase, wherein the rear-wheel steering ensures that the vehicle remains extremely agile despite its dimensions.

Or they can choose to be chauffeured around in a 5,190mm GT in the autonomous 'Grand Touring' driving mode while enjoying the sky and the scenery, maximum legroom, and the services offered by a seamlessly integrated digital ecosystem.

The front end of the Skysphere concept has no need for a radiator grill, but still clearly features the brand's typical Singleframe and the three-dimensional illuminated emblem with the four rings. The Singleframe 'grille' and adjacent surfaces on the sides are designed with white LED elements to act as a stage for visual effects such as playing moving welcome sequences when the vehicle is opened and closed.

The rear end is also dominated by a digitally controlled LED surface that extends across the entire width of the vehicle. Countless red LEDs are scattered like rubies across the vertical rear surface.

Upon changing the wheelbase and thus the operating mode from 'GT' to 'Sport', the light signature also changes, sending a clear indication of the changed character of the Audi Skysphere concept.

The cabin of the Audi Skysphere concept features swivelling control elements such as the steering wheel and pedals, allowing them to move into an invisible position and thereby completely removed from the interior, allowing passengers to enjoy the freedom to relax in the open air.

Free of controls, the interior appears as a light, spacious environment, inspired in many areas by the Art Deco universe.

And should the Audi skysphere concept be used in driver-operated mode, then the interior transforms back into an ergonomically perfect driving machine cockpit. The driver will find all the controls, including the steering wheel and pedals, in the position that best suits them.

A large touch monitor, at 1,415mm wide and 180mm high, on the dashboard and in the upper area of the centre console are used to operate the vehicle and infotainment systems. In Grand Touring mode, this can be used to display content from the Internet, video conferences, or streamed movies. Small touch panels in the doors are used to operate the air conditioning.

An electric motor positioned on the powered rear axle is responsible for delivering power to the wheels of the Audi Skysphere. A total of 624bhp of power and 750Nm of torque ensure an easy drive with the roadster, which only weighs around 1,800kg.

The Audi Skysphere concept will make its public debut on 13 August 2021, as part of the Monterey Car Week, on the legendary fairways of the Pebble Beach golf course.