Concept Audi Grand Sphere Concept Official Images

[Deleted member 1071]

"about 80% of the design is a straight-forward carryover (into the production model)." according to Marc Lichte. Most prominent exterior changes on the production model will allegedly be more conventional doors including a "B" post and a facia more similar to that of the Sky Sphere concept.

 

[KiwiRob]

I also perceive a degree of "Porscheness" regarding the Grand Spheres' exterior design. Not a bad thing, mind you.

Certainly, a legitimate question would be: "How much of the Grand Spheres' design will actually be reflected in future Audi luxury/sport production vehicles ?".
Perhaps we'll witness something similar to what evolved from the 2014 Prologue concept(s). That is: certain elements being clearly recognizable in later production offerings (A6/A7/A8) without being actual replications of the concept as a whole. I don't forsee the Grand Sphere as following the same template as was the case with the eTron GT concept (which was replicated some 95-96%+ in production guise).

This having been said, I like the Grand Sphere concept. It exudes a subtle athletic elegance with hints of Porsche, Pininfarina and Hyundai Le Fil Rouge Concept (which I loved). Much, much more appealing than the questionable Sky Sphere concept.

It might just be me but the bum has a look of BMW Z8 mixed with dare I say it E-type Jaguar. Whatever it is it's a drop dead gorgeous. If they can make 90% of this real in the production version it should be a runaway hit.

 

[KiwiRob]

Everything boring and soulless that the "SKY" seemed to me, this is the opposite, this is a spectacular concept.

"As Mercedes stole our ancestral greenhouse line design for their EV's, let's reinvent ourselves and get back to the roots"

The Sport Quattro is one of my all time favourite cars. There's a replica that lives near my mother in laws house, its a proper one, not just a chopped quattro it also has the front end and upright window from the 80, just like the real ones.

 

[Ruktam]

I really like the glass-covered grille. It looks very nice, a very upscale decorative technique.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Like the BMW VFL concept, this is probably one of my favorite concepts. Like the VFL, which also has a similar interior theme, this is looks low, long, wide and sleek (yes, yes, "that's what she said"). While I am not the biggest fan of luxo-barges, this is what I imagined the future of luxury would look like. If they could get 80% of this to production, I think it'd be a real winner and really show the EQS and i7 a thing or two.

 

[dalab]

The Sport Quattro is one of my all time favourite cars.

Undeniable family resemblance, very well extrapolated, and very successful strategy of "new" design language, good for Audi

 

[Deleted member 1071]

If they could get 80% of this to production, I think it'd be a real winner and really show the EQS and i7 a thing or two.

Obviously, that remaining "20%" could make a world of difference. Hell, a remaining "5%" could perceivably alter a cars' visual significantly.

But I very much hope that Audi retains that excellent "lower 2/3s'" with those wonderful flanks and the voluptuous yet unpretentious sculpturing and articulate dialogue with the wheel arches. I imagine that the boattail will be truncated somewhat, bringing the production cars' length down some 75-100mm. We'll almost certainly get 4 more conventional doors including a B-pillar. There will also very likely be a 22" rim option-but a 23" ? I hope that they keep the architecture and rake of the roof as well as the slender front and rear lamp units.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Obviously, that remaining "20%" could make a world of difference. Hell, a remaining "5%" could perceivably alter a cars' visual significantly.

But I very much hope that Audi retains that excellent "lower 2/3s'" with those wonderful flanks and the voluptuous yet unpretentious sculpturing and articulate dialogue with the wheel arches. I imagine that the boattail will be truncated somewhat, bringing the production cars' length down some 75-100mm. We'll almost certainly get 4 more conventional doors including a B-pillar. There will also very likely be a 22" rim option-but a 23" ? I hope that they keep the architecture and rake of the roof as well as the slender front and rear lamp units.

The DLO will likely see some significant changes. And I agree, we will likely see a reduction of length post-rear wheel; I think that's the rear windshield is somewhat truncated like that in order to accomodate a hatch-like rear opening. I am not so sure what the cargo utilization is on the PPE platform, but I'd venture that the majority of the cargo space will be in the frunk. Or maybe at least comparable to the rear hatch's cargo capacity. If they can translate this successfully for production, I may have to change my opinion of Lichte's direction of Audi's design.

 

[klugscheisser87]

I don’t know if some1 noticed that, but actually with the Grand Sphere Audi is preparing us how they will actually get rid of the grille in the future, even they deny it.

The strong hood ending line is already replacing the visual gap of the center front view of the car. It is even more recognizable from the side.

While the Sky Sphere still has the traditional front, as it was a preview of the general monolith, the Grand Sphere shows more details of the new direction.

 

[dalab]

I don’t know if some1 noticed that, but actually with the Grand Sphere Audi is preparing us how they will actually get rid of the grille in the future, even they deny it.

While the Sky Sphere still has the traditional front, as it was a preview of the general monolith, the Grand Sphere shows more details of the new direction.

I agree, I get the impression that the front of the Grand is the line that sedans and coupes will follow, and the rougher front of the Sky is more oriented to how SUVs will look.

 

[SKY]

"about 80% of the design is a straight-forward carryover (into the production model)." according to Marc Lichte. Most prominent exterior changes on the production model will allegedly be more conventional doors including a "B" post and a facia more similar to that of the Sky Sphere concept.

So they are already telling us the production car will be ruined. Front end is the best one Audi has designed in years. In contrast, the Sky Sphere one was completely anonymus...

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

So they are already telling us the production car will be ruined. Front end is the best one Audi has designed in years. In contrast, the Sky Sphere one was completely anonymus...

While I don't find the SkySphere (there's potential), I think the GrandSphere is that much more harmonious or cohesive in its design from front to rear, inside and out.

 

[SCOTT27]

I am seeing some hints of BMW past. The Z8 and that floating roof which was considered for the original RFK.

What I am seeing here is effectively three cars The A8 hypothetical A9 and although they won’t admit it. The A7.

is The EQS aiming to take away The CLS as it took away the S Coupe?
Will a singular concept erase the BMW 6er GT and 8 Gran Coupe?

Makes you think when everybody was for growth in the 2000’s that streamlining and culling these models will be what’s moving forwards.

 

[dalab]

Will a singular concept erase the BMW 6er GT and 8 Gran Coupe?

Makes you think when everybody was for growth in the 2000’s that streamlining and culling these models will be what’s moving forwards.

The 2.000's was a great era, and much was bet on trial and error, it is part of the evolution to discover which niches or unexplored models will work and which will not, and from what has been seen, it exceeds previous market research to some launches, since there is no greater truth than to make it happen and see that it does not work, or that the "momentum" does not or that this change at the last minute.

As with the horrible 5GT but they defended a concept, to the point that they came back for more with the 6GT, which is still similar to the EQS in conception, and that if it had been electric it would be a great success.

It is rationalization based on discovery, and cemented in the enthusiasm generated by the great successes and proliferation of new segments such as the super successful premium SUVs in small and large size, in short all of them, the sedoupes, and the Suv-oupes.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

What I am seeing here is effectively three cars The A8 hypothetical A9 and although they won’t admit it. The A7.

I also suspect that Audi will reduce its' number of model lines in the future. The production version of the Grand Sphere (aka A8 or A9 eTron), the A6 eTron + Avant and A4 eTron + Avant being the foundation of the brands' low ride height sedoupe/estate offerings. Perhaps we will also see a PPE (SSP) underpinned eTron GT successor as well. The current J1 based car appears to be quite successful in terms of sales. Otherwise, the remainder of Audis' lineup will be elevated ride height SUVs' and SACs', with the current A3 models being replaced by compact SUV/SAC offerings, hence consolidating the current A/Q3 models that will render the sedan and Sportback superfluous.

 

[klier]

Like the BMW VFL concept, this is probably one of my favorite concepts. Like the VFL, which also has a similar interior theme, this is looks low, long, wide and sleek (yes, yes, "that's what she said"). While I am not the biggest fan of luxo-barges, this is what I imagined the future of luxury would look like. If they could get 80% of this to production, I think it'd be a real winner and really show the EQS and i7 a thing or two.

1% makes the difference between spectacular and full on retarded, so let's see what 20% difference will do.

This concept looks spectacular indeed, but it's just that; complete vaporware.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

Chris presents some interesting points:

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I agree with him regarding autonomous driving ( I'd really want a steering wheel in my hands while operating an automobile). And I'd feel plenty silly in the (what should be a) "drivers'" seat without one. And his recognizing an analogy with Jaguar in terms of exterior design is something that's also crossed my mind. This could, in spirit, be the electric XJ that Jaguar never built.

 

[SCOTT27]

Chris presents some interesting points:

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I agree with him regarding autonomous driving ( I'd really want a steering wheel in my hands while operating an automobile). And I'd feel plenty silly in the (what should be a) "drivers'" seat without one. And his recognizing an analogy with Jaguar in terms of exterior design is something that's also crossed my mind. This could, in spirit, be the electric XJ that Jaguar never built.

It could have been yes. You have to ask what’s happening with JLR? The range is dating as each replacement is being delayed or cancelled? There are rumours at BMW who of course will supply V8 engines are saying the Range Rover is being delayed for another year meaning the current L405 will have been available for a decade.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

It looks good. Better than the EQS already.

M

Concept vs. Production is never a good comparison!

 

[Deleted member 1071]

Concept vs. Production is never a good comparison!

Here's to hoping that Audi adheres to the architectural proportions of the concept (something that M-B did not do regarding the EQS).

Allegedly, the "A (and B) pillar, roof frame under glass" element will be carried-over onto the production car. That wíll be very interesting should it be true.