When Audi teased the Audi AI Trail Quattro as an “electrically-driven off-roader of the future”, we had no idea just how futuristic it meant.
This year at the Frankfurt Motor Show, along with actual cars, Audi showed off innovation with a series of four concept cars. These concepts make up the ‘AI’ family of vehicles and they’re some of the most ambitious and space-aged motors we’ve ever seen.
The AI Trail Quattro though is an altogether different beast.
Audi’s AI off-roader is entirely electric and uses four electric motors to create four wheel drive. These motors can muster up 429 horsepower (hp), Audi states however “usually only a fraction of this power is mobilized.”
Totally self-driving, the ‘car’ has a range of 310 miles (498 kilometres) when used modestly and a range of 155 miles (249 kilometres) if you wanted to take it for some serious dune bashing out in the emirates.
The really crazy part though, the car doesn’t have any headlights, instead it has five drones that fly around the moving car, and can land on the roof when not in use. The five drones are “rotorless, triangular and electrically operated – with integrated matrix LED elements.”
The interior is also a sight to behold with its massive glass doors, large seating area and minimalist dashboard:
The drones light up areas surrounding the car, or cast a beam of light from the roof, they are able to form groups and can be controlled by an app on your phone. Remember, the car is autonomous, so playing with your app while the car is moving isn’t as much of a hazard. The car can also be driven like a conventional car when needed.
The vehicle’s an all grey SUV with giant tires (perfect for off-roading), seamless glass windows and windshield and a futuristic and compact body shape. If we’re being cynical, we’d say it looks a bit like a Renault Twizy, but far more modern and sleek.
Check out the video for the vehicle below:
