Audi AI:Trail concept previews brand’s future SUV styling

The top section of the windows, distinguished by a distinctive line running around the car, is wider than the bottom part, a feature also seen on the AI:Me concept. Lichte commented: It creates huge interior space and, importantly for an offroad car, it means that from the driving position, you are able to see the tyres.”

Inside, there are two seats plus two rear cradle seats, designed so they can be taken out and hung “between two trees, perhaps” said Lichte. 

The only display inside is the driver’s phone, which is the only way to operate the car, and allows for a very low dashboard. That in turn, creates ample storage space at the front of the car.

“For the first time at Audi, we’ve a monobox volume which is something unique. It makes sense to create maximum space. As well as space in front, there is a dirt compartment in back to put dirty shoes.”

Other unusual features in the AI:Trail, which is capable of Level 4 autonomy, include headlights placed on a detachable drone on top of the car, to allow the drone to fly ahead and light up the way if desired. Tyre pressure can be changed on the move, able to adjust the width of tyres’ contact patch and create an extra 6cm of suspension height.

Lichte said many details on the AI:Trail point to future design but one is particularly advanced. “We will see the invisible belt line (where the windows change angle) in a production car in less than five years.” 

Talking about the four concepts, he added: “These four concept cars are the four main uses we can imagine: urban mobility, long distance, off-roading and having fun. They show how vehicles from Audi will change when there are no compromises. Today, we have to find so many compromises.”

The AI:Race is a 764bhp super car which hints at an electric Audi R8, the AI:ME has a similar footprint to the AI:Trail and is designed for ease of use in inner cities. Finally, the Aicon is fully autonomous and created for comfortable long-distance journeys.

Q&A with Marc Lichte, Audi design boss

Will we see any of the AI:Trail’s features on production cars in the near future? 

There are many details that point to future design but there is one which is really advanced. We will see the invisible belt line (where the windows change angle) in a production car in less than five years. 

What is your favourite detail? 

I like the headlights. There are daytime running lights where you expect the headlights to be and headlights are on the drones overhead. They are able to fly ahead, they can show you the way, they can [guide the way] on your phone, they can lighten the way - whatever you want, it’s up to you.