Volkswagen Unveils New Models for Chinese Market at Auto Shanghai

At the Auto Shanghai 2025 event, Volkswagen showcased its strategy to reclaim its position in the competitive Chinese automotive market. With a focus on local preferences, the company introduced new models designed specifically for Chinese consumers.

Audi presented the E5, an electric wagon based on the Advanced Digitized Platform (ADP), developed in collaboration with local partner SAIC. This model, measuring 4.88 meters in length, will debut exclusively in China in the summer of 2025, with no plans for European exports due to potential competition with the A6 Avant e-tron.

The E5 promises an impressive range of up to 770 kilometers, although this figure is based on Chinese testing standards rather than the WLTP. Audi also highlighted the quick charging capability of the vehicle, which can regain up to 370 kilometers of range in just 10 minutes.

The E5 will be available in four different powertrain configurations, with the most powerful variant generating 579 kW, significantly surpassing the current offerings of the A6 e-tron in Germany. The vehicle's acceleration capabilities are noteworthy, boasting a 0 to 100 km/h time of merely 3.4 seconds, despite China's speed regulations limiting driving on public roads to 120 km/h.

Understanding that Chinese consumers value different features, Audi is integrating advanced technology into the E5, including a large 27-inch 4K display and a unique app store that utilizes facial recognition for access. The new operating system is designed to enhance digital interaction, incorporating a voice-activated assistant powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8295 processor.

Meanwhile, Volkswagen's core brand introduced three new concept vehicles at the show. The ID.Era is a spacious seven-seat SUV equipped with a hybrid powertrain, allowing for extended range by using its combustion engine to recharge the battery. The ID.Evo, another SUV, features a fully electric engine supported by an 800-volt architecture, catering to growing consumer expectations.

The third concept, a sedan with an electric drive, aims to attract price-sensitive customers. Volkswagen did not disclose specifics about this model but indicated it may utilize a 400-volt system.

All three vehicles feature a zonal electronic architecture, enabling advanced automated driving capabilities under certain conditions, although human oversight will still be required to ensure safety and compliance.