The Four Rings Are Gone, but the Shouty Capitals Are Here to Stay
The automotive world has a habit of rewriting its own rules just when you think everything makes sense. Brands evolve, markets shift, and sometimes even the most sacred symbols disappear. Case in point: AUDI — yes, spelled in full capital letters — a new China-only electric brand that looks like Audi, feels like Audi, but very deliberately is not called Audi.
And here’s the twist: this bold, badge-free experiment has just won China Car of the Year.
No four interlinked rings. No heritage badge on the nose. Just a loud name, cutting-edge tech, and a clear message: in China, subtlety is overrated.
AUDI: A China-Only Reinvention of a German Icon
This isn’t a rogue side project from Ingolstadt. AUDI is the result of a deep joint venture between Audi and SAIC Motor, created specifically for the Chinese EV market.
The logic is simple:
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China wants local relevance
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Global luxury brands need local speed
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Legacy alone no longer sells EVs in 2026
So Audi went all in — new brand, new design language, new positioning, and even a new name that quite literally shouts for attention.
AUDI E5 Sportback: Award-Winning Without the Rings
The car that secured the title is the AUDI E5 Sportback, and it’s hard to argue with its appeal.
Key Dimensions & Design
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Length: ~4,880 mm (192 in)
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Width: ~1,955 mm (77 in)
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Height: ~1,470 mm (58 in)
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Low-slung Sportback profile with aggressive stance
It looks unmistakably Audi-adjacent — clean surfaces, taut proportions, and that familiar premium restraint — just without the logo that made Audi famous.
Performance That Borders on Absurd
The range-topping Quattro version delivers numbers that feel almost satirical at this price point.
AUDI E5 Sportback (Quattro) Specs
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Power | 776 hp (dual-motor AWD) |
| 0–60 mph | ~3.2 seconds |
| Battery | 100 kWh |
| Claimed range | ~402 miles (CLTC) |
| Top price | ~$45,800 USD |
Even after adjusting for optimistic Chinese test cycles, this is still a brutally quick, long-range EV.
And the real shock?
Pricing
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Starting price: ~$33,800 USD
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Flagship Quattro: ~$45,800 USD
For comparison, that barely buys a base EV in Europe or the US — in China, it buys Car of the Year.
Why This Win Matters
China Car of the Year has historically favored global prestige brands. Past winners include luxury models from Mercedes-Benz and BMW, but this win feels different.
This isn’t a German import.
This is a German brand that went native.
AUDI didn’t just adapt a product — it adapted its entire identity.
Other 2026 China Car of the Year Winners
The awards also highlighted how fragmented and competitive the modern market has become:
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Nio ET9 — Luxury Car of the Year
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iCAR V23 — Budget Car of the Year
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Ferrari 296 Speciale — Performance Car of the Year
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Audi A5L — Design Award
Yes, even “normal” Audi still picked up silverware — just not the headline trophy.
What Comes Next: AUDI E7X SUV
Riding on the success of the E5, AUDI has already previewed its next act: the E7X, an electric SUV.
Because, of course, the global rule still applies:
When in doubt, build an SUV.
If the E7X follows the same formula — aggressive pricing, massive power, and China-first design — AUDI could quickly become one of the most disruptive premium EV brands in the country.
The Irony No One Can Ignore
A German-designed, Chinese-built, logo-free Audi with:
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A name written in ALL CAPS
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Nearly 800 horsepower
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A price that undercuts most global rivals
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And an award that proves the strategy works
There’s just one problem.
You can’t buy it unless you live in China.
And that may be the cruelest punchline of all.
The AUDI E5 Sportback has won China Car of the Year, proving Audi’s radical China-only strategy works. Built with SAIC and sold under a new all-caps AUDI brand, the electric Sportback delivers up to 776 hp, long range, and prices far below Western rivals—without the iconic four rings.
