New AUDI electric SUV spied in China sports facial recognition

To stay relevant in the world's most competitive EV market, automakers are pulling out all the stops. The latest example comes from a new brand in China, a joint effort between Germany's Audi and the local powerhouse SAIC. A new electric SUV from their "AUDI" venture was recently spotted testing on public roads, and it packs a quirky feature: a facial recognition camera to unlock its doors.

This is the second electric car from the AUDI brand, a name that might cause a bit of head scratching. This is not the familiar German Audi with the four-ring logo. Instead, it's a new, distinct brand established in November 2024 specifically for the Chinese market.

Its vehicles are developed mainly by a Chinese team, specifically for local tastes. The brand's first model, the AUDI E5 Sportback, hit the market on September 16, 2024, with a starting price of RMB 235,900 (about $33,130) and impressive stats with power reaching up to 579 kW (776 horsepower).

The new electric SUV, planned for a 2026 reveal in China, continues the brand's high-tech approach. Spy photos reveal a large vehicle, estimated to be around five meters long, putting it in the full-size SUV category. Its design features a sleek, sloping roofline, blackened pillars for a "floating roof" look, and door handles that retract flush into the bodywork for better aerodynamics.

The prototype in the photos rides on large, eight-spoke chrome wheels. Other visible details include blind-spot monitoring cameras in the front fenders, a charging port on the left rear side, and a modern light bar that stretches across the entire rear of the vehicle.

The most talked-about feature is tucked into the B-pillar, the post between the front and rear doors. A small camera is integrated here for facial recognition, or "Face-ID." This technology allows the car to identify its owner as they approach, automatically unlocking the doors without needing a key fob or a phone.

Underpinning this new electric SUV is a modern foundation known as the Advanced Digitized Platform (ADP), which supports an 800-volt high-voltage system. For the average person, this simply means the potential for much faster charging times. Many electric cars use a 400-volt system, but an 800-volt setup can significantly reduce the time spent plugged into a compatible fast charger.

AUDI has not released official powertrain specifications for the new SUV, but it is expected to offer similar performance to its sedan sibling, the E5 Sportback. That vehicle offers a range of power options, from a 220 kW (295 horsepower) single-motor version to a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powerhouse making 579 kW (776 horsepower). The AUDI brand plans to release three electric cars by 2027 as it works to establish itself in China.

Via