Audi's Next Lineup Will Have A Friendlier, More Approachable Design

Audi has given us a glimpse into the future of car design with its Sphere concepts, showcasing what the next generation of vehicles will look like. The first in line is the next-generation A8 flagship, due in 2024, which will follow the design of the Grandsphere.

Recently, the head of design at Audi, Marc Lichte, told Top Gear magazine that the company is working towards creating softer, more friendly designs that are "less aggressive."

He pointed to the recently revealed Activesphere Concept as an example of the new design direction, saying, "I think this car is not aggressive, it's the opposite. It's very soft, very friendly, very... there are no sharp edges in the exterior design."

Lichte stated that Audi will adopt a different approach to design by starting with the interior before working on the exterior. Interestingly, one of the reasons for Audi moving away from aggressive designs is the conflict between Russia and 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."

The head of design at Audi says that the transition to dedicated electric platforms gives his team more freedom since they don't have to consider the components of a traditional gasoline engine. The company will launch its last new internal combustion engine-powered car in 2025, and every new model from 2026 onward will be purely electric. 

Source: Top Gear