by Brad Anderson
- Audi and SAIC are preparing to launch their second joint-venture model.
- The upcoming SUV will feature an advanced 800-volt electrical platform.
- Both rear- and all-wheel drive versions are expected to be available.
Hot on the heels of the new AUDI E5 Sportback in China, Audi’s standalone ‘AUDI’ EV brand has turned its attention to its next project. Taking the form of a more traditional SUV, the new model has been caught on camera testing in China for the very first time, shrouded in camouflage but sporting some design elements similar to the E5.
The electric SUV, developed in collaboration with SAIC, is expected to go on sale next year and will likely share much of its engineering with the AUDI E5.
Reports from Chinese outlets indicate that it will sit on the same Advanced Digitized Platform, complete with an 800-volt electrical system capable of rapid charging and efficient energy management.
Read: Audi’s Chinese Brand Scored 10,000 Pre-Orders In Just 30 Minutes
Visually, the overall shape looks similar to its E5, albeit slightly larger and sitting higher. The front features placeholder headlights for now, but the silhouette of the light units and connecting light bar looks nearly identical to the Sportback’s.
Elsewhere, a roof-mounted LiDAR sensor can be spotted, while retractable door handles and cameras integrated into the front quarter panels are reminiscent of Tesla’s approach.
Cameras have also replaced traditional mirrors, while at the rear, we can see a split wing neatly incorporated into the bodywork, complemented by a wraparound light bar with LEDs.
Under the skin, powertrain options are expected to mirror those of the E5. The entry-level version may use a 76 kWh battery and a single 295 hp motor driving the rear wheels.
The E5 lineup also includes a rear-wheel drive variant producing 402 hp with a 100 kWh pack, as well as an all-wheel drive configuration offering 518 hp and an 83 kWh battery. The flagship setup features dual motors and a 100 kWh pack, delivering a combined 776 hp.
The China-only AUDI brand has also confirmed plans to introduce a third model by 2027, though details remain under wraps. Whether it will continue the SUV trend or branch into a new segment remains to be seen.
