Audi has unveiled its new E Concept, which will kickstart the company’s new China-only sub-brand called ‘AUDI’.
The German automaker has partnered with Chinese manufacturer SAIC Motor to produce custom models in China.
The collaboration will enable Audi to improve its design, engineering and vehicle development, while SAIC will use its innovation, technology and research to meet specific demands in the Chinese automotive market.
The E Concept has a 100 kWh battery pack and two electric motors that, according to Audi, can drive up to 700 km on a single charge. In terms of power, the two engines deliver 764 hp and 800 Nm of torque, while acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 3.6 seconds.
The car is on the Advanced Digital Platform with 800V architecture, which enables fast charging speeds, allowing a range of 370 kilometers after 10 minutes of charging.
The exterior focuses on a minimalist design. It features flattened wheel arches and wraparound front headlights and taillights, while the elongated roofline increases interior space for passengers.
Inside, the cabin features a center console with space for two mobile phones, and a full-width curved digital display that runs the length of the dashboard. Meanwhile, the exterior mirrors are also camera displays that are also incorporated into the screens. The door cards feature an illuminated wood, microfiber and three-dimensional design to create a durable yet modern look.
Gernot Dollner, CEO of Audi, said: “The joint platform will form the basis for a new generation of state-of-the-art, intelligent, connected vehicles, exclusively for China. The upcoming models aim to promise and demand a new customer segment at the same time. The collaboration will further expand Audi’s battery-electric vehicle portfolio in China and accelerate the company’s transformation in the world’s largest market.”
The E is just a Concept for now, so prices and further specifications are expected to coincide with the unveiling of a production-ready model. Furthermore, this new AUDI brand will only be for the Chinese market, with no plans to bring it to European buyers.
