On September 24, it is reported that Audi has sent over 50 technical experts from its headquarters in Germany to Shanghai to speed up the development of a new electric vehicle.This new car, code-named “purple427,” is the first model under the Audi-SAIC partnership and is positioned as a mid-size electric sedan (B-segment). Led by a Chinese development team, the project has a short development cycle of less than 18 months, which is more than twice as fast as the Audi e-tron series. The new model is set to debut in November this year, with an official launch scheduled for next year.

According to supply chain sources, the Audi-SAIC project will rely entirely on SAIC’s supply chain, and the first batch of vehicles will be launched exclusively in the Chinese market.

In an interview earlier this month, Song Feiming, CEO of the Audi-SAIC joint project, emphasized that the new model will retain Audi’s signature design and characteristics, rather than being a rebranded version of another vehicle. Both companies are adopting an open approach and will fully utilize China’s advanced smart-driving supply chain to develop the car. The vehicle will feature batteries supplied by CATL and the Momenta smart-driving system, offering L2++ autonomous driving capabilities, competing with emerging brands in the market. Song also mentioned that the car will be offered at a very competitive price and will be unveiled in November.

He further noted that this collaboration between Audi and SAIC is not just an experiment, but aims to establish a new cooperation model that could have a lasting impact on Audi and the luxury car market in China.

Following the concept car’s debut in November, the first mass-produced model is expected to hit the market in the second half of 2025. Audi and SAIC are also planning to release two more electric models in the future: a large electric SUV and a full-size electric sedan.