Audi recently signed a strategic partnership with Chinese carmaker SAIC Motor to expand its presence in China, specifically for its battery electric vehicle offerings. The partnership will see the companies form a new EV brand in China, and… it’s called AUDI – yes, you read that right.
In case you’re confused (which, well, it’s understandable), the cars under the new AUDI brand will not sport the fabled Four Rings. Instead, they will feature a logo of four capital letters: AUDI. The companies say that the new brand is supposed to cater to the preferences of younger, tech-savvy Chinese consumers, and we’re not sure how the typeface logo is supposed to do that. But in any case, alongside the unveiling of the new brand, AUDI also showcased their first concept car, the AUDI E concept.
Positioned as a fully-electric Sportback with a wagon-like silhouette, the E concept is built on a new platform called the Advanced Digitized Platform, which will serve as the base for future AUDI models exclusive to the Chinese domestic market.
With a length of 4,870 mm, a width of 1,990 mm, and a height of 1,460 mm, plus a wheelbase of 2,950 mm, the AUDI E concept is smaller than the Audi SQ8 e-tron Sportback but has a longer wheelbase in comparison.
According to the company, the design of the AUDI E concept combines minimalist design with maximum functionality. Distinctive design elements include a full-width light bar on both the front and rear fascias, flared wheel arches, concealed door handles, and new AUDI badges to differentiate it from your usual Audis.
The interior of the E concept features a large, curved 4K touchscreen with integrated digital side mirrors that span the dashboard. It has separate sections for the driver’s display and infotainment system.
This massive screen is powered by the AUDI OS operating system, which supports apps and individualised functions based on facial recognition. The system also supports AI functionality with the AUDI Assistant AI avatar and a touch-sensitive control bar called AUDI Control.
The E concept is powered by a pair of electric motors on the front and rear axles, producing 680 hp (500 kW) and 800 Nm. Equipped with the Quattro AWD system, the AUDI E concept can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds.
The E concept has a range of 700 km, according to the CLTC test cycle, from a 100 kWh battery pack. Thanks to the 800-volt architecture and super-fast charging capabilities, the AUDI E concept can regain 370 km of range with just 10 minutes of charging.
For safety equipment, the AUDI E concept is equipped with China-specific driver assistance functions, which the company says offers relaxing and safe driving experiences on highways, in dense megacity traffic, and even when using automated parking.
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