Audi Activesphere Concept Hints at an Off-Road Electric Crossover
Reading into the release and exposing the teaser image of the Activesphere reveals a crossover with a set thin sidewall off-road tires on an Audi-like body.
Audi's Sphere concepts have all shown the brand's electric, self-driving futureafter its e-tron line. The last release, the Urbansphere, revealed a future Audi EV for megacities that would find its own parking space and provide a first-class luxury environment for the second row passengers. It was clearly aimed at markets like China and southeast Asia. Now, it looks like it's America's turn, and Audi knows exactly what vehicle to bring to us: an off-road capable crossover that still features electric power and self-driving capabilities. While you'll have to wait until early 2023 for the official reveal, we've pulled out what the Activesphere should look like from Audi's teaser image.
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Beyond its theoretical self-driving capabilities, the Activesphere also hints that it will be able to conform to the activities its owner is going to use it for, "both on and off pavement." This is a crossover that could take the path less traveled with its cladded wheel arches, puffed-out fenders, and interesting sill treatment. Could this hint at an aggressive step bar to make it easier for its passengers to climb into? We also see just how far off-road the Activesphere is intended to go with its high ground clearance (possibly necessitating that step bar) and aggressive (for an Audi, mind) set of off-road tires on large-sized wheels.
The roofline is definitely Audi, with a sleek, sports sedan inspired design similar to the S7 but it's also a drastic departure from their traditional squared back SUVs like the Q5 or even the Q8. The signature Audi Singleframe grille is just present under the rings on the nose and the image hints that the rings will also light up.
It's not quite a rock crawler or trophy truck, but it's also not quite a mall-crawler, either. We'll have to wait until 2023 to see just what's planned for the Activesphere.
Having experience in many forms of the automotive industry, Justin Banner has done more than just write about cars. For more than 15 years, he's had experience working as an automotive service technician—including a stint as a Virginia State Inspector—service advisor, parts sales, and aftermarket parts technical advisor (a fancy way of saying he helped you on the phone when you had trouble fitting your brakes over your aftermarket wheels and the like). Prior to his tenure as a full-time editor, Justin worked as a freelance writer and photographer for various publications and as an automotive content creator on YouTube. He’s also covered multiple forms of motorsports ranging from Formula Drift, drag racing, and time attack, to NASCAR, short course off-roading, and open desert racing. He's best known for breaking down complex technical concepts so a layperson can more easily understand why technologies, repairs, and parts should matter to them. At MotorTrend, Justin is part of the news team covering breaking news and topics while also working as a judge for MotorTrend Of the Year events and other major comparison tests.
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