This is how Russia-Ukraine war forcing Audi to make new cars less aggressive

  • Audi's next-generation cars will come with a softer design that will be less aggressive than the current models.
Audi Activesphere concept is the fourth model in sphere concept vehicles.
Following on from the Audi skysphere roadster in 2021, and both the Audi grandsphere sedan, and the Audi urbansphere space concept in April 2022, a four-door crossover coupé is here.
It measures 4.98 metre long, has an impressive ground clearance and uses 22-inch wheels.
The rear design is of a Sportback and it can turn into a cargo bed at a press of a button. 
The concept is also equipped with Advanced Driver Aids System.
The interior gets a futuristic design. Audi says the design is people-focused.
The dashboard itself doubles-up as a soundbar as well as a full length airvent.
There is a console in the roof where the four AR headsets for the mixed reality system are kept within easy reach for all passengers.
The Activesphere will be based on an 800-volt charging system.
Because of the 800-volt charging system, the car gets an additional range of more than 300 km in just 10 minutes of charging.
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Audi design chief Marc Lichte claims the Activesphere Concept EV previews what the carmaker's future design philosophy would be like.
Audi Activesphere concept is the fourth model in sphere concept vehicles.
1/10
Audi Activesphere concept is the fourth model in sphere concept vehicles.
Following on from the Audi skysphere roadster in 2021, and both the Audi grandsphere sedan, and the Audi urbansphere space concept in April 2022, a four-door crossover coupé is here.
2/10
Following on from the Audi skysphere roadster in 2021, and both the Audi grandsphere sedan, and the Audi urbansphere space concept in April 2022, a four-door crossover coupé is here.
It measures 4.98 metre long, has an impressive ground clearance and uses 22-inch wheels.
3/10
It measures 4.98 metre long, has an impressive ground clearance and uses 22-inch wheels.
The rear design is of a Sportback and it can turn into a cargo bed at a press of a button. 
4/10
The rear design is of a Sportback and it can turn into a cargo bed at a press of a button. 
The concept is also equipped with Advanced Driver Aids System.
5/10
The concept is also equipped with Advanced Driver Aids System.
The interior gets a futuristic design. Audi says the design is people-focused.
6/10
The interior gets a futuristic design. Audi says the design is people-focused.
The dashboard itself doubles-up as a soundbar as well as a full length airvent.
7/10
The dashboard itself doubles-up as a soundbar as well as a full length airvent.
There is a console in the roof where the four AR headsets for the mixed reality system are kept within easy reach for all passengers.
8/10
There is a console in the roof where the four AR headsets for the mixed reality system are kept within easy reach for all passengers.
The Activesphere will be based on an 800-volt charging system.
9/10
The Activesphere will be based on an 800-volt charging system.
Because of the 800-volt charging system, the car gets an additional range of more than 300 km in just 10 minutes of charging.
10/10
Because of the 800-volt charging system, the car gets an additional range of more than 300 km in just 10 minutes of charging.

Audi's next-generation cars will come with a softer design that will be less aggressive than the current models, claims the German luxury car brand's design boss Marc Lichte. He told Top Gear that Audi is working on softer and more friendly car designs that will be less aggressive. He also hinted that the recently unveiled Activesphere concept indicates what the future Audi cars would look like. Lichte also said that the company's upcoming next-generation flagship sedan Audi A8, which is slated to debut in 2024, will be spearheading the new design philosophy incorporated models.

While elaborating on the reason behind Audi's design philosophy transition, Lichte explained that one of the driving forces behind this thinking is the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “One reason is there is a war not far away [Ukraine] from here, which has an impact on everybody. I don’t like this aggressive styling, honestly speaking. There are so many more opportunities. That’s why designers, in general, are not focusing on this aggressive design. That’s my interpretation," said the Audi design head.

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Also Read : Mercedes-Benz India reopens bookings for Maybach GLS and AMG G63

Speaking about the Audi Activesphere concept, Lichte said that this concept is not aggressive but the opposite. "I think this car, I would say, is not aggressive, it's the opposite. It's very soft, very friendly, very… there's no edge on the exterior design," he said. The Audi design boss also said that the car brand is aiming to invert the design process by creating the interior first rather than the exterior, which is completely opposite approach to the current car design process.

It is a well-known fact that electric vehicle platforms allow car designers to experiment more than conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) powered vehicle platforms. Audi's design chief said that switching to bespoke electric vehicle architectures gives his team more freedom by not having to consider a large space-crunching combustion engine and the other oily bits.

Interestingly, Audi is slated to launch its final new ICE-powered car in 2025, with every new model due from 2026 to come as purely electric-powered. By 2033, the production of petrol and diesel-powered Audi vehicles will come to an end globally, with a possible exception in China. That too, will depend on local demand, said Audi.

First Published Date: 13 Feb 2023, 14:12 PM IST
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