Earlier in May, Audi announced a different joint venture with SAIC Motor besides manufacturing vehicles under SAIC-Volkswagen. The announced goal was a new electric vehicle platform exclusive to the Chinese market called the Advanced Digitized Platform, which has come to fruition in a new sub-brand.

AUDI (written in all capital letters) will be a new electric brand from China where future models won’t wear the iconic Auto Union rings. Its first concept car is the AUDI E Concept, sporting a wagon-shaped design that the Ingolstadt marque is known for.

The 100kWh battery-powered, dual-motor Sportback eats the e-Tron GT with a CLTC range of 700km on a full charge, and 370km on a 10-minute fast charging. Performance-wise, it beats even the RS equivalent with a whopping 764hp and 800Nm for a conventional luxury model.

The E Concept’s interior is minimalist, blending natural, eco-friendly materials while fulfilling “Chinese customers’ wishes.” Features include smartphone storage compartments on the center console, a 4K seamless curved display, and digital mirror camera feeds on each side.

The operating system is controlled through AUDI Control, the touch controls on the wooden center console, and AUDI Assistant (an AI sidekick receiving voice commands in the middle of the dashboard).

The SAIC-Audi partnership will kick off in mid-2025 with three new models on the horizon.

“By launching this new brand for electric and intelligent models in China, Audi is breaking new ground to tap into new and more tech-savvy customer segments,” explained Audi CEO Gernot Döllner.