What's the news?
Never one to shy away from the motor show spotlights, Audi has debuted its highly futuristic Aicon concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Showcasing the company's vision of how autonomous cars could look and function in 'the next decades', it can barely be referred to as a car. This is mainly due to the car lacking both a steering wheel and pedals. Think of it more as a luxurious shuttle in which to be transported electrically (of course), from A to B.
Exterior
The first thing you'll notice about the Audi Aicon concept is its size. This thing is huge, measuring in at almost a foot longer than an extended wheelbase version of the new Audi A8. It's tall, too, at 1,506mm and its width of 2,100mm means that it would have a serious presence on the road. From a design standpoint, its shape is dictated by the priority given to maximising passenger space. The front still features Audi's signature singleframe 'grille' that is surrounded by intricate lighting. Similar treatment is applied to the rear where more than 600 3D pixels form the rear light clusters. Moreover, these lights can be reconfigured to adapt to different driving conditions or even the passenger's personal design preference.
Large doors open from either end, carriage-style and without a B pillar, to present a vast interior that is easily accessible. Its side profile does remind us of the equally jaw-dropping Mercedes F 015 Autonomous Concept we rode in back in 2015.
Interior
You'll struggle to find a more futuristic interior at the Frankfurt Motor Show than that of the Audi Aicon. Being a 2+2, its cabin consists of two large front seats that can slide all the way back. The two enormous side doors shut to complete a stunning wrap-around dashboard layout that is most notable for its total lack of steering wheel or any other devices that could be used to control it. Its reclined front seats are designed to transport its occupants in total comfort. They can swivel by up to 15 degrees and rather than sliding on rails, they move on a high pile carpet platform ensuring the occupant is kept entirely comfortable. There are two more rear seats. However, these are merely additional seats and are no larger than you would expect to find in a present day Audi A5 Coupe.
Glass roof panels can turn opaque to block out the sun should passenger so wish. The cabin features integrated OLED lighting that can be adjusted to suit the mood. By being a fully autonomous car, those seated inside can do whatever they wish, either relax and enjoy the scenery whizz by or even grab a quick nap. Alternatively, a full suite of connectivity options allows them to work or just browse social media.
Mechanicals
The Audi Aicon is powered by a fully electric drivetrain that uses four electric motors to produce a total power output of 353hp and 550Nm of torque. By having a motor in each wheel, the car has a variable quattro all-wheel drive system, but this vehicle is not about sheer outright performance. Efficiency is the name of the game here, and this approach helps contribute towards its projected driving range of up to 800 kilometres on a single charge. It does this through the use of lightweight construction and an 800-volt system that also enables the battery to be recharged to 80 per cent in just 30 minutes. As we would expect from such a futuristic vehicle, charging can be done wirelessly through induction, but it is also capable of recharging on its own without any human assistance.
Ensuring optimal ride comfort is aided by the use of pneumatic springs and dampers while electric actuators at each wheel counteract body rolls when cornering, accelerating or braking. Other features include the relocation of the brakes discs inboard, closer to the electric motors. Doing this centralises mass and removes the need for the wheels to have ventilation for brake cooling, thus improving airflow around the car and reducing wind noise. Despite its enormous size, the Aicon should be pretty nippy and zipping between traffic will be made easier thanks to its all-wheel steering. Both axles are capable of turning in opposite directions to give a much tighter turning circle even though it has a very long wheelbase.
Anything else?
While the Audi Aicon is very much a futuristic concept, it does at least show that Audi isn't planning on dumbing down its innovation when it comes to driverless cars. Just when we'll be whizzing around in cars like this remains to be seen. All we do know is that it should be quite relaxing when it happens.