Audi’s new electric car with facial recognition spotted in China
By ForGeeks
To stay afloat in the most competitive electric car market, automakers are using every possible technology. The latest example — the new AUDI brand, created jointly by Germany’s Audi and China’s SAIC, specifically for China. Their new electric SUV, spotted on tests, will get an unusual feature: a facial recognition camera that opens the doors.
Audi’s new electric SUV, spotted on tests, will get an unusual feature: a facial recognition camera that opens the doors.
It’s important to clarify that this is not a classic Audi with a four-ring emblem. The new AUDI brand was founded in November 2024 and works exclusively for the Chinese market. Its first model, the AUDI E5 Sportback sedan, was released in September 2024, priced from 235,900 yuan (about 28,280 euros) and offering up to 579 kW (776 hp) of power.
The next new product — an electric SUV expected to premiere in 2026. Test photos show it is a large vehicle about five meters long with a sloping roof, «soaring» pillar design and door handles retracting into the body to improve aerodynamics. The car features large chrome wheels, blind spot cameras, a charging port at the rear left and a modern full-width LED strip across the stern.
The main feature is hidden in the center body pillar: the integrated camera performs Face ID. It recognizes the owner when approaching and automatically unlocks the doors, without the need for a key or smartphone.
The SUV is based on the Advanced Digitized Platform (ADP) with an 800-volt system that allows for much faster charging compared to the more familiar 400-volt systems.
The specifications of the new model have not yet been revealed, but they are expected to be close to the E5 Sportback — from a 220kW (295bhp) single-motor version to a 579kW (776bhp) all-wheel-drive twin-motor version. The AUDI brand plans to launch three electric cars by 2027 to strengthen its market position in China.
