X

Audi's Aicon is an autonomous EV concept writ large

Huge dimensions, futuristic tech and a lounge-like cabin are the hallmarks of this Frankfurt Motor Show concept.

Chris Paukert
Following stints in TV news production and as a record company publicist, Chris spent most of his career in automotive publishing. Mentored by Automobile Magazine founder David E. Davis Jr., Paukert succeeded Davis as editor-in-chief of Winding Road, a pioneering e-mag, before serving as Autoblog's executive editor from 2008 to 2015. Chris is a Webby and Telly award-winning video producer and has served on the jury of the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards. He joined the CNET team in 2015, bringing a small cache of odd, underappreciated cars with him.
Chris Paukert
audi-aicon-frankfurt-14
1 of 27 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

It's hard to get a sense of scale from these images, but the Aicon stretches a foot-and-a-half longer than a Tesla Model S -- it's huge.

audi-aicon-frankfurt-4
2 of 27 Andrew Hoyle/Roadshow

The Aicon boasts 26-inch wheels.

audi-aicon-frankfurt-8
3 of 27 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

A U-shaped dashboard incorporates various displays and touch controls, along with eye-tracking hardware and voice-recognition tech.

audi-aicon-frankfurt-15
4 of 27 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

The fully autonomous Aicon does without conventional headlights and instead features animated 3D light boards that can telegraph the car's intent to others. 

For instance, the car's "eyes" can follow pedestrians to acknowledge their presence, or display moving horizontal light stripes that convey whether the car is under acceleration or braking.

Audi Aicon concept - Frankfurt Motor Show
5 of 27 Audi

Dual-axle steering keeps the Aicon's size from being as much of a liability in densely packed cities as it otherwise might be.

audi-aicon-frankfurt
6 of 27 Andrew Hoyle/Roadshow

The fully autonomous Aicon does without conventional headlights and instead features animated 3D light boards that can telegraph the car's intent to others. 

For instance, the car's "eyes" can follow pedestrians to acknowledge their presence, or display moving horizontal light stripes that convey whether the car is under acceleration or braking.

Audi Aicon concept - Frankfurt Motor Show
7 of 27 Audi

Audi says the Aicon incorporates a mini drone that functions as a "light companion."

Audi Aicon concept - Frankfurt Motor Show
8 of 27 Audi

A pair of lounge-like seats recline, swivel and can slide back and forth by nearly 20 inches on their mounts that "float" over thick-pile carpeting.

Audi Aicon concept - Frankfurt Motor Show
9 of 27 Audi

Despite four large doors and an expansive wheelbase, the Aicon is actually designed primarily for two occupants, with a pair of auxiliary seats for the occasional interloper. 

audi-aicon-frankfurt-9
10 of 27 Andrew Hoyle/Roadshow

Yep, the Aicon is a pure concept car, so it's got suicide doors to better show off its interior. The roof panel has electrochromic glass to enable variable opacity depending on the occupants' wishes.

Audi Aicon concept - Frankfurt Motor Show
11 of 27 Audi

Keep clicking or swiping through for more images of Audi's new Aicon concept.

Audi Aicon concept - Frankfurt Motor Show
12 of 27 Audi
audi-aicon-frankfurt-5
13 of 27 Andrew Hoyle/Roadshow
audi-aicon-frankfurt-7
14 of 27 Andrew Hoyle/Roadshow
audi-aicon-frankfurt-6
15 of 27 Andrew Hoyle/Roadshow
audi-aicon-frankfurt-18
16 of 27 Andrew Hoyle/Roadshow
audi-aicon-frankfurt-3
17 of 27 Andrew Hoyle/Roadshow
audi-aicon-frankfurt-21
18 of 27 Andrew Hoyle/Roadshow
audi-aicon-frankfurt-23
19 of 27 Andrew Hoyle/CNET
20 of 27
audi-aicon-frankfurt-13
21 of 27 Andrew Hoyle/CNET
audi-aicon-frankfurt-11
22 of 27 Andrew Hoyle/Roadshow
audi-aicon-frankfurt-10
23 of 27 Andrew Hoyle/Roadshow
audi-aicon-frankfurt-20
24 of 27 Andrew Hoyle/Roadshow
audi-aicon-frankfurt-2
25 of 27 Andrew Hoyle/Roadshow
audi-aicon-frankfurt-12
26 of 27 Andrew Hoyle/Roadshow
audi-aicon-frankfurt-17
27 of 27 Andrew Hoyle/Roadshow

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos