Audi’s ultra-niche luxury coupe pickup EV

It looks like a road-going version of something that would tackle the Dakar Rally.

This is Audi’s new Activesphere, a fully electric concept off-roader there to appeal to your sense of luxury go-anywhere adventuring, all in zero-emission silence.

Audi tells us it’s a luxury coupe that turns into a pickup: two segments seemingly irresistible to cashed-up Aussies, so this could be the ultimate crossover plaything.

It’s not enough to just be a “highly elegant luxury-class sports car,” it has to handle the family’s hardtail e-bikes and climb mountains too.

A fingernail short of five-metres long, the Activesphere’s jacked up on knobbly-tyred 22-inch alloys under its sleek, four-door coupe styling. It’s unquestionably a striking looking effort.

Audi’s growing EV concepts

Audi’s been highly active in the EV concept space in recent years. This Activesphere follows the Skysphere roadster of 2021, and last year’s Grandsphere sedan and Urbansphere space concept.

Echoing the versatility of the Tesla Cybertruck (remember it?), the four-seater Activesphere’s sportback rear can, at the touch of a button, turn into an open cargo bed (Audi’s calling it an ‘active back’) for carrying two bikes or sports gear. A ski rack, for example, is integrated in the centre of the roof structure. Imagine rocking up to Hotham in one of these bad boys…

Tech is obviously at the forefront. There’s active aerodynamics, autonomous driving and augmented reality mobility. Witness (below) the ‘mixed reality’ of displaying digital content in the driver’s (and passengers’) fields of vision in real time. If that’s your thing.

In Audi’s words: “High-tech headsets provide a view of the real environment and the route, while simultaneously displaying 3D content and interactive elements– individually configurable for drivers and passengers. This means all driver-relevant information, such as driving status and navigation, can be displayed.”

The fundamentals

Audi’s used its Premium Platform Electric (PPE), co-developed with Porsche, to underpin the Activesphere.

Its wheelbase is a substantial 2.97 metres, promising excellent passenger legroom.

For serious quattro off-roading, a default ground clearance of 208mm can be increased by a further 40mm. It’ll drop by the same amount for lower centre of gravity on-road work. Approach angle is 18.9 degrees, and departure angle 28.1 degrees.

The 22-inch wheels have rather funky movable segments. For off-road use they open for better ventilation, then close for on-road driving for improved aerodynamics and range. Digital mirrors also do their bit to minimise drag.

The concept features a mighty 100kWh battery, offering a promised range over 600km. Ultra rapid charging thanks to 800-volt technology – charging up to 270 kW like the Audi e-tron GT – means it’ll go from 5 to 80 percent in less than 25 minutes.

Fantasise all you like about this concept becoming a reality, but it appears unlikely. It’s a niche within a niche vehicle, but that doesn’t stop us really wanting to see a production version.