AUDI E7X launched in China – EV SUV with up to 680 PS, 751 km CLTC range, 897V charging, 4-seat flagship

Audi’s new Chinese-market AUDI brand (yes, it still feels weird to type out) has launched its second model called the E7X. Revealed as the E SUV concept in Guangzhou last year before its production debut at the recent Auto China show in Beijing, the electric crossover joins the odd E5 Sportback wagon/big hatch thingy.

Built in partnership with Shanghai’s SAIC, the E7X is priced from 289,800 yuan (RM169,900) to 379,800 yuan (RM222,700). For that, you get a choice of single-motor and quattro dual-motor all-wheel-drive variants, with the former using a rear motor producing 408 PS (300 kW) and 500 Nm of torque. This gets the car from zero to 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 205 km/h.

The quattro versions make 680 PS (500 kW) and 800 Nm and reach 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, while the top speed extends to 230 km/h. Most models come with a 100 kWh battery, delivering a CLTC-rated range of up to 705 km with RWD and 635 km with AWD; expect WLTP figures closer to 580 km and 521 km respectively.

A RWD long range model gets a bigger CATL battery, although the capacity only increases to 109 kWh, resulting in a marginal increase in range to 751 km (circa 610 km WLTP). Oddly, this version is slower to 100 km/h, taking four tenths of a second longer at 6.2 seconds. There’s also a four-seater flagship with AWD and the larger battery, which has a range of 660 km (circa 540 km WLTP).

The E7X is the first AUDI model to be built on an 897-volt electrical charger, enabling a peak of “4C” DC fast charging (so, around 400 kW then). The standard models are able to be topped up from 30 to 80% in 13.2 minutes; the long-range versions can get closer to the rated max, taking just 9.9 minutes.

Under the skin, the E7X rides on an all-aluminium chassis, adaptive dampers and air springs with 80 mm of ride height adjustment. You also get active hydraulic bushings, variable-ratio steering and rear-wheel steering at up to 14 degrees, shortening the turning radius to just 5.14 metres.

Design-wise, the E7X sticks close to the template set by the E5, with a black Light Frame at the front and rear, intricate “light curtains” (here made up of 1,500 LEDs) and rounded haunches over the wheel arches. The SUV version distances itself with vertical headlights with digital light projection technology that can project a welcome pattern ahead of the car. Also, the D-pillars feature more of a fin-like design.

Inside, the carryover from the E5 continues with a 59-inch widescreen display panel taking up the full width of the dashboard. This comprises of the instrument display, a one-piece infotainment touchscreen for both the centre and front passenger, and twin displays for the optional side-view cameras.

There’s also a head-up display and a 4.29-inch curved OLED panel in the centre for the AI-powered AUDI Assistant. Ingolstadt says version 2.0 of the latter has been upgraded with over 60 interactive features and, in a claimed industry first, can even detect a user’s emotions and tailor its response to suit.

As per the E5, there are powered doors, layered North American wood panels in the doors with built-in ambient lighting, twin 50-watt Qi wireless chargers and Fein Nappa leather upholstery. Both the front and rear seats can be had with heating, ventilation and massage functions, plus one-touch “zero gravity” recline and built-in ottomans at the rear.

Those at the back also benefit from a massive 21.4-inch mini LED ceiling-mounted monitor. The sound is piped in through an optional Bose Performance sound system, fitted with front and rear UltraNearField headrest speakers and the industry’s first application of 3DX surround sound. The flagship model gains even plusher rear captain’s chairs with up to 120 degrees of recline and a separate centre console with a dedicated control touchscreen and 16-point massage.

In terms of driver assistance tech, the E7X comes chock full of lidar and radar sensors, linked to Nvidia’s Orin-X chip. Audi has partnered with Momenta and will bring the latter’s latest R7 world model in an update, enabling highly-autonomous city and highway driving functionality that can traverse through toll booths and width restrictions, execute three-point turns and park in narrow spaces remotely.

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