아우디가 19일(현지시각), 미래 럭셔리 세그먼트에 대한 비전을 보여주는 새로운 컨셉트 차량 제품군의 세번째 모델인 아우디 어반스피어 콘셉트 (Audi unbansphere concept)에 대한 계획을 공개했다.
처음에 디자이너와 엔지니어들은 교통량이 많은 대도시의 교통 상황에 적합하도록 아우디 어반스피어를 설계했다. 이 콘셉트카는 역대 아우디 차량 중 가장 넓은 실내공간을 제공한다. 또한 오감을 만족시키는 기술 및 디지털 서비스들을 지능적으로 조합하여 새로운 차원의 경험을 선사한다.
아우디 AG CEO이자 중국 시장을 책임지고 있는 마커스 듀스만(Markus Duesmann)은 "중국 고객의 요구를 충족시키기 위해 베이징에 있는 아우디 디자인 스튜디오와 잉골슈타트가 긴밀하게 협력하여 아우디 어반스피어 콘셉트를 공동 개발했다“고 말했다. 이 콘셉트 카의 개발 과정에는 처음으로 중국의 잠재 고객들이 “공동 창작” 프로세스에 참여해 희망사항과 의견을 공유했다.
공동 창작의 결과는 아우디 어반스피어 콘셉트의 실내에서 확연히 드러난다. 넉넉한 실내 공간의 차량은 바퀴 달린 라운지와 모바일 오피스의 역할을 수행하며, 교통 정체 중에 제3의 생활 공간이 되어준다. 이를 위해 아우디 어반스피어에는 완벽한 사생활 보호와 광범위한 첨단 기능이 결합되었다. 자율 주행 기술 덕분에 스티어링 휠, 페달 또는 디스플레이가 사라진 실내는 포괄적인 디지털 에코시스템을 위한 개방된 모바일 인터랙티브 공간으로 변신했다.
아우디 스피어 – 3가지 퍼스트클래스 경험
아우디 스카이스피어, 아우디 그랜드스피어, 아우디 어반스피어는 아우디가 지향하는 미래의 프리미엄 모빌리티에 대한 비전을 보여주는 세 가지 콘셉트카다. 아우디는 출발지점에서 목적지까지 단순히 이동을 위해 자동차 안에서 시간을 보낸다는 기존 이동 수단의 개념을 뛰어넘는 차량 경험을 만들어 가고 있다.
그 첫번째로 2021년 8월, 아우디는 가변 휠베이스를 적용해 자율 주행 그랜드 투어러에서 자율 주행 스포츠카로 변신하는 전기 구동 로드스터 아우디 스카이스피어 콘셉트(Audi skysphere concept)를 선보였다. 몇 주 후, 아우디는 독일에서 열린 IAA 2021에서 스피어 시리즈의 두 번째 모델인 아우디 그랜드스피어 콘셉트(Audi grandsphere concept)를 공개했다. 이 4인승 대형 세단은 진보적인 럭셔리의 미래를 정의한다는 아우디 브랜드의 포부를 보여준다.
이 두 콘셉트카와 아우디 어반스피어의 공통점은 전체 콘셉트가 레벨 4 자율주행 기술을 기반으로 했다는 점이다. 이는 아우디가 폭스바겐 그룹의 소프트웨어 싱크탱크인 카리아드(CARIAD)와 함께 2020년대 후반 도입을 목표로 개발에 매진하고 있는 기술 중 하나이다.
빠른 충전, 긴 주행 범위
구동 시스템의 핵심은 800볼트 충전 기술이다. 급속 충전소에서 최단 시간에 최대 270kW까지 배터리를 충전할 수 있으며, 단 10분이면 배터리를 300km 이상 주행할 수 있는 수준까지 충전할 수 있다. 또한 120kWh 이상을 수용하는 배터리는 25분 이내에 5%에서 80%까지 충전될 수 있다. 이는 WLTP 기준 최대 750km 범위를 주행할 수 있음을 의미하며, 에너지 집약적인 도심 주행이나 단거리 여행에 사용하는 경우에도 충전을 위해 예기치 않게 충전소를 찾을 필요가 없다.
2019 도쿄 모터쇼 출품작 시리즈입니다. 2019 렉서스 LF-30 일렉트리파이드 컨셉(Lexus LF-30)인데 차세대 렉서스 전기차를 예고한다고 하네요.
디자인 수장이 앞으로 렉서스는 지루한 스타일보다는 과감한 쪽으로 계속 나간다고 밝혔습니다.
지금도 충분히 공격적인데 앞으로는 더 진보 혹은 과감한 터치가 렉서스 디자인을 휩쓸 것 같습니다.
TOKYO, JAPAN (October 23, 2019) – In its continued efforts to deliver innovative and amazing experiences, Lexus unveiled its “Lexus Electrified" vision for an upcoming generation of electrified vehicles. Headlining this moment was the debut of the Lexus LF-30 Electrified Concept, which made its world premiere at the 46th Tokyo Motor Show 2019.
Since the brand’s creation in 1989, Lexus has endeavored to deliver to its customers innovative and amazing product and brand experiences that stimulate the five senses. Since the launch of the RX 400h in 2005, Lexus has led the world as a pioneer in electrification technologies such as the two-stage reduction gear and the multi-stage hybrid system which leverage technology to offer excellent performance and the direct driving sensation characteristic of Lexus Hybrid vehicles.
The “Lexus Electrified” vision unveiled today targets a fundamental leap in vehicle performance, handling, control and driver enjoyment -- even as mobility within our society continues to change with autonomous driving and vehicle electrification.
Evoking the original fun of driving, Lexus is developing new advanced posture control and other electrification technologies to further evolve driving pleasure, and to fundamentally transform the essence of luxury vehicles of the future. Towards this end, Lexus is drawing on the lessons learned developing the core technologies found in Lexus’ popular range of gasoline-electric hybrids, including battery management, power control modules, and electric motors. In particular, the technology of Lexus Electrified enables integrated control of powertrain, steering, suspension, and brakes, realizing the ultimate potential of the motor control technology cultivated in HV. With this technology, we can control the driving force to provide ideal vehicle posture according to each driving situation. Lexus endeavors to continue providing enjoyable and safer driving vehicles.
To advance this goal, Lexus plans to unveil its first BEV in November 2019 – broadening our response to the needs of various regions around the world, including the development of HEVs, PHEVs, BEVs, and FCEVs. Moving forward after that, Lexus plans to expand its electrified vehicle lineup - we will launch our first Lexus PHEV and a new dedicated BEV platform early in the coming decade. By 2025, Lexus will have available electrified versions of all Lexus vehicle models, and we are aiming for the sales of electrified vehicle models to outpace those of conventional internal combustion engine vehicle models.
Lexus LF-30 Electrified highlights
‘LF-30 Electrified’ new concept embodies the vision of Lexus’ electrification
The LF-30 Electrified concept vehicle embodies the “Lexus Electrified” vision. For its exterior styling the advanced image expected of a BEV has been channeled into artistic qualities that result in a futuristic form, and an interior that assertively weaves in autonomous driving and other new technologies aims to manifest Lexus’ distinctive worldview. Performance is rooted in Lexus Electrified components, adding Lexus’ latest technology to our leadership in development of HEV systems. Precise electric motor control enables instantaneous adjustments to posture not possible with conventional vehicles. Furthermore, the LF-30 Electrified employs numerous advanced technologies with a look ahead to the year 2030- such as a new-concept cockpit based on a human-centered design philosophy and a steer-by-wire system.
Futuristic exterior foreshadows the Lexus Electrified vehicles towards 2030
In taking up the challenge of expressing a new design that could only be achieved with a BEV powered by in-wheel electric motors, Lexus visually articulated the LF-30 Electrified’s unique energy flow. The vehicle form is meant to visually express the energy created by the wheels set at the corners of the vehicle body streaming toward the vehicle cabin and past the driver to directly flow onto the road surface.
Taking advantage of a hoodless vehicle shape made possible by being a BEV, Lexus’ signature “spindle” form has been further evolved to span the entire vehicle architecture. The window glass, which continually stretches from the front to rear, the muscular fenders, and the wing-shaped headlights form the contours of the Lexus iconic spindle. The shape of the body is fashioned with an elegantly flowing front which transitions into a linear and sharp rear. In addition to the wing-shaped headlights, the sharpness of the rear lights and side air intakes combine to achieve both excellent aerodynamics and cooling performance, resulting in styling fused with function.
The opacity of the side windows can be freely adjusted, providing occupants with expansive views of the surrounding scenery and a high level of privacy at night and in other situations. The color of the front face of the vehicle and luminescence patterns help identify from the outside whether the vehicle is being operated in its normal mode or in its autonomous driving mode, reflecting Lexus’ pursuit of both a high level of styling and functionality. The exterior color ‘voltaic sky’ employs a leading-edge metal-infused coating to achieve a unique quality tinted by a touch of blue-green.
Innovative, interior that leverages autonomous driving technologies, a newly designed cockpit, and more
To manifest in a higher dimension Lexus’ fundamental human-centered philosophy, the cockpit was designed based on the new Lexus concept of “Tazuna”. Inspired by how a single rein can be used to achieve mutual understanding between horse and rider, the steering controller-mounted switches and head-up display have been coordinated to a high degree, creating a space that enables the driver to focus on driving while controlling various functions, such as the navigation and audio system and driving-mode selection, without having to shift one’s vision or operate manual switches. As an indication of the future image of a Tazuna cockpit, the LF-30 Electrified employs next-generation interfaces, such as gesture control and enhanced presentation of vehicle information through AR (augmented reality). The resulting interior is one that provides comfort and convenience for both driver and passengers.
With the layout of the front passenger seat echoing that of a first-class seat on an airliner, the interior is one in which a sense of openness and a sense of envelopment coexist. All switches and other controls being comfortably within reach and a gesture-control large-screen display for the passenger seat add to the achievement of interior comfort and convenience.
The rear seats use artificial muscle technology to mold to their occupant, and can support various modes such as reclining, relaxation, and alert functions. A Mark Levinson® audio system creates a next-generation listening environment, in which minute speaker control establishes ideal acoustic spaces for music listening pleasure for the driver and each passenger, and speakers built into the headrests not only provide an optimal audio environment but also have a noise-cancelling feature that contributes to enhanced quietness.
A glass roof above the rear seats features voice control and a gesture controlled “SkyGate” display window that uses AR to display various types of information, such as a realistic star-filled sky, user-favorite videos, and even navigation.
In addition to its unique design, the interior also indicates the direction of next-generation luxury by using sustainable materials to reduce environmental burden. Yakisugi (charred cedar), a traditional Japanese material, is used in the floor and steering controller while recycled metal was processed into fibers for use in creating the pleated door trim. This approach expresses Lexus’ distinctiveness and innovative spirit.
With in-wheel electric motors, steering by wire, and Lexus Advanced Posture Control, the LF-30 can offer a dynamic experience unlike any currently available
To achieve a fundamental leap in vehicle performance, handling, control and driver enjoyment, the LF-30 employs numerous state-of-the-art technologies even beyond advanced posture control. In-wheel electric motors for each of the vehicle’s four wheels and low positioning of the battery enable better handling of inertia and high-level driving performance. Autonomous driving technologies and drone support vehicle technologies look ahead to the year 2030 and the widely expanded value that vehicles can offer.
Lexus Advanced Posture Control technology regulates the drive-power output from high-torque electric motors to adjust vehicle posture in tune with human sensibilities. Completely independent control of front and rear drive wheels allows appropriate provision of front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive, depending on the driving situation. Compact and lightweight drive-power units expand freedom in vehicle packaging and are used to enable the driver to enjoy ideal driving, regardless of the road surface or driving conditions.
Positioning Lexus Advanced Posture Control technology as a core element of the ‘Lexus Electrified’ vision, Lexus intends to widely apply this technology throughout its lineup of electrified vehicles.
The steer-by-wire system eliminates a mechanical connection to allow more flexible turning control depending on driving conditions, and a more precise steering feel aligned with the driver’s intention. It also contributes to a greater sense of openness by allowing the steering controller can be shifted forward and out of the way during autonomous driving.
As a next-generation BEV, LF-30 uses wireless charging technology to simplify daily charging, and AI-based energy management to enable optimal distribution of electric power to both the vehicle and the home, and charging control coordinated with the user’s daily schedule.
Onboard AI distinguishes the voices of vehicle occupants, and uses personalized information stored on the driver’s control key to serve as a partner. It facilitates the adjustment of elements of the interior environment, such as air temperature and audio, and the setting of navigation routes and destinations, while also making proposals for activities after arrival. It also understands driver’s preferences and helps them control the suspension and powertrain settings in real-time according to the driving scene.
The LF-30 Electrified also carries the ‘Lexus Airporter’ drone-technology support vehicle. Using autonomous control, the Lexus Airporter is capable of such tasks as independently transporting baggage from a household doorstep to the vehicle’s luggage area.
Based on the latest autonomous driving technology concept of ‘Lexus Teammate’, the LF-30 Electrified features advanced driving support functions in the form of a Chauffeur mode and a Guardian mode. Occupants can enjoy both comfort and peace of mind during autonomous driving with advanced posture control technology being employed. Furthermore, a self-parking function and a front-door pickup function in which the LF-30 Electrified autonomously moves from driveway to doorstep provide an especially high level of convenience.