In 2004, Audi made a concept car from scratch for the sci-fi movie - I, Robot starring Will Smith. This movie was set in 2035 and was a take on the future as we perceived back then. So, Audi also carved out a futuristic-looking car - the Audi RSQ. Now, it will instantly remind you of the much-acclaimed Audi R8, but back then it was pitched in to depict the futuristic curve of Audi's design philosophy and mobility.
This car was special as it was Audi's first-ever car developed specifically for a movie. It had a few distinctive features including the usage of spheres instead of wheels that allows the car to move about multi-directionally. The most impressive part was how Audi retained its design philosophy even for a movie that was based 31 years ahead.
They made sure that viewers would instantly understand the car as an 'Audi' with its single panel front grille and its four rings. Unique cars have always played a crucial role in inspiring the storyline and also to show viewers of the automaker's finesse.
Audi RSQ was a concept car that was built specifically for the 2004 Sci-Fi movie - I, Robot and was an early peak of the Audi R8 to come.
A Brief On The Sci-Fi Thriller - I, Robot
This movie was released in 2004 when connected cars and robots were a far-fetched idea. We have come a long way after that and connected cars have started to become a common thing now. The robot thingy can wait a bit more though. The movie is set in 2035 where humans live in harmony with robots. But things go south with robots turning against humans, and one man (Will Smith) goes on against the system to find the reason and set things right.
This movie was an impressive piece of art that incorporated stunning visual effects to bring the life of 2035 closer to reality. The movie was directed by Alex Proyas and is taken from the short story collection 'I, Robot' written by Science fiction writer Issac Asimov. So it is befitting for Audi to create an all-new car just to be showcased in the movie.
A Mid-Engine Concept Car That Would, Later On, Pave Way For The Audi R8
The car Audi created for the movie 'I, Robot' was called the RSQ and was their first-ever car created specifically for a motion picture. The car had a 5.0L Twin-Turbo V10 coupled to a 6-Speed Gearbox but was technically useless for the movie. It was solely made for design and movie production purposes (CGI did the rest!).
It was built as a mid-engined sports coupe which didn't ring any bells in 2004 but made a whole lot more sense in 2006 when Audi brought out one of their best-selling sports coupe - The Audi R8. The Audi RSQ Concept in many ways was responsible for how the Audi R8 looked and felt.
Audi RSQ Had A Minimal Interior With Tech To Talk To The Car
Minimalism was the theme here. Audi wanted to showcase a clutter-free outlook for 2035 with the car being self-sufficient in doing major driving duties (what we now know of as autonomous technology). The interior looked something out of a sci-fi movie (duh!) but Audi didn't go over the top with projections and shape-shifting gizmos.
It had super-comfy seatings which would move about automatically to provide a comfortable seating position. The steering wheel made it look like the inside of an aircraft with a yoke steering wheel. It would retract into the dashboard when not in use (looked quite cool). The windshield would extend onto the roof as a single curved piece and had a dreamy view from the cabin. All of the controls and info were displayed digitally via the instrument cluster by Audi's Multi-Media Interface (MMI) unit.
The RSQ Had A Futuristic Exterior Design Language That Was Distinctly Audi
An impressive feat with the Audi RSQ despite showcasing a car from 2035 was that people would instantly tell it to be an Audi. The car showcased some distinctive design cues that are confined to Audi and helped cater for an idea for moviegoers about Audi's idea on the future of mobility.
It was designed to look smooth, streamlined, and as a floating boat (literally). The body was made of laminated glass fiber which was painted in lunar silver. This created the 'flop effect' which made the car shift its sheen color from blue to gold. The only cut-outs were at the front and rear bumpers to make the car look aggressive.
Suggestions From Director Alex Proyas Helped Audi Add Some Cool Features
Audi had also taken a few tips from Alex Proyas to be inculcated into the car's design to appeal for the year 2035. they replaced wheels with spheres which allowed the car to move about literally in any direction. This is aptly utilized in various action scenes in the movie, especially the one in which Will and his RSQ are attacked by a swarm of bad robots on the highway.
The other cool feature was its butterfly doors. Those are not uncommon, but making the doors of the RSQ rear-hinged gave it a whole different drama. All of these design cues enhanced the car's appeal for something apt for the future.
Where Is The Audi RSQ From I, Robot Now?
Audi has been an active participant in movies as an automobile partner. We will always remember Tony Stark's cool car collection but never forget his Audi R8. But after the movies are done, the concept cars are literally useless, other than being showcased in a museum. The car is currently tucked away safely in Germany and has made a few public visits.
Sources: Wikipedia.org, Audi-mediacenter.com, Cartype.com, Money.howstuffworks.com, Supercars.net