Audi’s new EV is a luxury SUV with augmented reality that doubles as a pickup

Audi’s new concept vehicle is an all-electric luxury SUV that uses augmented reality glasses and can double as a small pickup truck, signaling potential future technologies for the Volkswagen luxury brand.

The rear glass of the “Activesphere” vehicle can slide forward, opening the flatbed trunk of the SUV and creating an open-air space for hauling objects. Audi’s calling the modular open cargo bed an “active back,” but consumers shouldn’t necessarily expect to see a production vehicle with the unique feature anytime soon.

“It’s a completely new range and a new possibility it affords to us,” Philipp Gündert, Audi brand strategy, said during a media briefing. “We at Audi are well known for trying out new things with cars … there’s also an Audi tradition to say, ‘Never say never.’ Although there’s no concrete plans, yet.”

Automakers routinely use concept vehicles to gauge customer interest or show the future direction of…