MUNICH MOTOR SHOW
Audi reinvents A8 for 2024
Grandsphere concept shows the new face of high-tech luxury that will replace A8
Audi has showcased elements of the all-electric and highly autonomous successor to its A8 luxury flagship with the futuristic Grandsphere concept at this year’s Munich motor show.
Following the recent unveiling of the similarly forward-looking Skysphere concept, the Grandsphere is described as a “private jet for the road”. As with the Skysphere and forthcoming Urbansphere concepts, it is designed primarily around its capacity for level-four autonomous driving.
The concept is said by Audi to be the closest of the Sphere trio to a production model, in this case the ‘Project Artemis’ flagship that will replace the A8 at the top of Audi’s saloon line-up when it goes on sale in 2025 after a 2024 debut.
In line with its self-driving billing, the Grandsphere has been designed “from the inside out” to provide a lounge-style environment when no human input is needed to drive it. The steering wheel and pedals retract into the bulkhead, for example. The rear doors open backwards and there is no B-pillar to maximise the sense of cabin space and airiness. Passengers are welcomed aboard with “individually staged displays and ambient light” and the climate control and seats are automatically adjusted to their occupant’s preferences as soon as they sit down.