China-developed Audi E gets ready to launch in summer 2025
The Audi E electric car, jointly developed by the German automaker and SAIC for the Chinese market, was spotted during road tests. It will enter the market in the summer of 2025 and won’t have badges with signature Audi rings. This EV features the latest Chinese tech, with 4WD for 764 hp and a 100 kWh battery for 700 km.
– Advertisement –
Previously, Audi had experienced low acceptance of EVs in the Chinese market. This industry trend became especially noticeable in 2022 when one Audi store placed a large billboard on the store with the inscription: “Audi also has battery electric vehicles”. However, the acceptance rate of the German automaker’s electric cars seems to be on the same level.
So, Audi made a bold decision and launched a new brand without classic four rings together with SAIC. However, it retained the distinguishing Audi name, which is written as AUDI. This brand’s vehicles are developed for China. Moreover, they will be built exclusively in China and for China. The first model of the new brand was released in November as the Audi E concept car. Bow, its pre-production variant was spotted in China during road tests.
– Advertisement –
Audi E spotted during road tests
The Audi E electric car was spotted in China during road tests, wearing heavy camouflage. However, it is easy to distinguish this vehicle by its front-end design and overall body shape. Its exterior styling stays in line with the concept variant of this car presented last month. The front end of the Audi E adopts an air intake in the front bumper and thin headlights. The front bumper has air intakes on both sides.
The Audi E has slanted A-pillars and a LiDAR sensor on the roof. The spotted vehicle adopts cameras instead of conventional side-view mirrors. From the side, this car has eight-spoke rims, hidden door handles, and a sleek roofline. This car is a wagon or a shooting brake. From the side, it has a sporty roof spoiler, a rear bumper with a noticeable diffuser, and a thin taillight unit. Another feature of the car is a sunroof.
It is worth mentioning the Audi E was spotted next to the test cars of the SAIC-backed IM Motors. It hints that IM Motors’ team is involved in the development process of the first Audi EV without rings for China. We will also highlight it took the Audi E less than two months to jump from a concept car to a pre-production test car. We can see how the German automaker is determined to bring this vehicle to market. The Audi E will start sales in the summer of 2025 exclusively in China.
– Advertisement –
More about Audi E
The Audi E is a mid-size car with dimensions of 4870/1990/1460 mm and a wheelbase of 2950 mm. Inside, it has a large pillar-to-pillar display. Its other features include a three-spoke double-D-shaped steering wheel, cool ambient lighting, and lots of wooden trim inside. This car also has a suede-covered ceiling.
Back to the specs, the Audi E adopts a dual-motor 4WD for 570 kW (764 hp), powered by a 100 kWh ternary NMC battery pack. This model features an 800V high-voltage platform and offers up to 700 km of CLTC range. Its zero-to-hundred acceleration time is 3.6 seconds. Additionally, it features progressive front-wheel steering, all-wheel steering, and air suspension.
