The AUDI E5 Sportback today won the 2026 China Car of the Year award, voted on by a panel of industry media experts. The E5 Sportback is the first model from a newly established brand to receive this accolade just one year after the marque’s debut. Blending the engineering excellence of Audi with China’s digital innovation ecosystem, the E5 Sportback successfully addresses the expectations of new Chinese customer segments. The AUDI brand has taken up a distinctive position in China’s premium electric vehicle market, bringing the best of both worlds together. Since its debut, the first model garnered a series of prestigious industry awards, including 2025 Most Popular Premium Car, Intelligent Premium Sedan of the Year, Best Handling Sedan of the Year, and Best Design Sedan of the Year.

Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG, says: “This award validates our unique approach in China with two strong brands and deep integration of local innovation. Through the AUDI brand, we are attracting new customers and strengthening our position in the world's most competitive market. Consumer and expert feedback demonstrates that our ongoing transformation journey in China toward electrification and intelligent connected driving is on course.”

“It is a great honor to receive the China Car of the Year award for the AUDI E5 Sportback. As the first model from the new AUDI brand, it truly represents the brand’s spirit: the best of both worlds. The AUDI brand was conceived from a deep understanding of the Chinese market,” says Fermín Soneira, CEO of the Audi and SAIC cooperation project. “It addresses a new generation of Chinese consumers who want Audi’s driving dynamics, quality, and safety, as well as seamless integration into their intelligent digital ecosystem. The E5 Sportback is the exact embodiment of this holistic premium commitment.”

The four-door AUDI E5 Sportback is a fully electric fastback with dynamic proportions that delivers up to 579 kW and a maximum range of 770 km. Four available powertrains offer rear-wheel or quattro drive, accelerating from 0-100 km/h in as little as 3.4 seconds. Built on the new Advanced Digitized Platform (ADP), the E5 Sportback offers next-generation connected vehicle functionality and full car over-the-air updates.

Market recognition of the AUDI brand’s first model is rooted in four core pillars building its product experience: its pioneering interpretation of the exclusive design language; its driving performance that inherits the authentic Audi driving DNA while setting a new benchmark for electric driving pleasure with precise handling; the premium quality conveyed through carefully selected materials and a serene cabin; and the uncompromising commitment to safety, demonstrated by the standardization of advanced driver-assistance systems across the entire model range.

Delivering at high speed: the AUDI brand’s first year

The AUDI brand launched in Shanghai in November 2024, with the E5 Sportback debuting as the first production model at the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2025. Production in accordance with Audi’s global standards began at the dedicated AUDI Intelligent Production Site in Shanghai in August. The order books for the E5 Sportback opened on the same day. Customer deliveries commenced following the model’s official market launch in September. At the Guangzhou Auto Show in November 2025, the AUDI E SUV concept made its debut as AUDI’s second concept car, marking the brand’s ambition to pioneer the premium all-electric SUV segment. The AUDI E7X, a production model based on the E SUV concept, launches in 2026.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

The Audi Revolut F1 Team has unveiled its official name, logo, and announced that its global launch will take place in Berlin on January 20, 2026. This milestone marks a significant step for the Audi Revolut F1 Team toward joining the Formula One World Championship in 2026. The team name and logo unite Audi F1 and global fintech Revolut, following the confirmation of the title partnership in July 2025.

The partnership with Revolut is a strategic cornerstone of the team’s identity. As a global fintech, Revolut shares the ambition for innovation, performance, and connecting with a diverse, international audience. This collaboration goes beyond traditional sponsorship, creating a powerful alliance aimed at challenging conventions and shaping new forms of fan engagement through activations, race access and exclusive app-based benefits for Revolut users. The alliance also extends to key areas of the Audi Revolut F1 Team’s operations: integrating Revolut Business into its financial operations and Revolut Pay into its online store for a seamless checkout experience.

For the first time, the Audi Revolut F1 Team will present its full identity at the Berlin launch on January 20. Designed to be an immersive experience, the event will showcase the core pillars of the brand: clarity, technical intelligence, and emotion. To ensure the team’s entry resonates beyond the paddock, the exclusive launch will be followed by a public opening on January 21, allowing fans to be part of the inaugural moment.

A centerpiece of the Berlin launch is the official unveiling of the car’s full 2026 race livery, following the reveal of the Audi R26 Concept in November. With less than 50 days to go before the first race, the team will show how the visual identity will shape its debut season and translate Audi’s design principles into a striking presence on the Formula 1 starting grid.

As part of the formation of the Audi Revolut F1 Team, Sauber Motorsport AG will be renamed Audi Motorsport AG. The team’s Technology Centre in Bicester, UK will also be renamed Audi Motorsport Technology Centre UK. The company honors its past by keeping the name of Sauber Holding AG and Sauber Technologies AG.

Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG: “Unveiling the Audi Revolut F1 Team name and logo marks another major milestone on our journey into the pinnacle of motorsport. Both give our ambition a clear identity, reflecting a strong vision and innovative spirit. We now look ahead to Berlin in January, where we will officially present this exciting new chapter for the Audi brand to the world.”

Mattia Binotto, Head of Audi F1 Project: “This announcement gives a name and a face to the incredible work being done by the team. The team is taking shape, driven by a culture of precision and relentless ambition. The Berlin launch will be the first moment we stand together as a collective and invite our global fan base to join us ahead of our debut in 2026.”

Jonathan Wheatley, Team Principal of the Audi Revolut F1 Team: “Today, our project takes on its official identity. The Audi Revolut F1 Team name is a symbol of the combined strength of our teams in Germany, UK and Switzerland, together with our partners. It provides a banner under which we all unite as we build towards 2026. This is a crucial milestone that energizes the entire project and makes our long-term ambition tangible for everyone involved.”

Nikolay Storonsky, CEO and Co-Founder of Revolut: “Revolut and Audi are uniting in Formula 1 with a global ambition to challenge the status quo and a shared obsession with engineering excellence. The Audi Revolut F1 Team name and logo are the first symbols of this powerful alliance that will accelerate Revolut’s global growth.”

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

For the 49th time, the Audi Works Council has called on the workforce to make its traditional Christmas donation. Once again, the response has been overwhelming: 99.7 percent of Audi employees and Audi BKK employees at the Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm sites took part in the campaign and donated a total of €677,076 to charitable and social institutions in their regions. As it does every year, the company topped up the amount – this year by €172,924 – bringing the Audi Christmas donation for 2025 to an impressive €850,000. With these donations, Audi is supporting more than 100 organizations and associations.

At the Ingolstadt site alone, €620,000 was raised, of which €486,696 came from the workforce and €133,304 was contributed by the company. This total is being disbursed through 79 monetary donations and 13 vehicle donations, with a total of 92 applications approved.

The ceremonial handover took place on December 16 at the Audi vehicle delivery center in Ingolstadt. Representatives from 13 of the beneficiary organizations were invited to join the works council and company management in honoring the commitment. All invited organizations will receive vehicles from the donation campaign in the coming year.

Thomas Wendl, Head of the Works Council Service, emphasized: “What makes our Christmas fundraising effort so special is the solidarity of the workforce. Every colleague makes a small contribution to ensuring we can achieve great things together.”

Jörg Schlagbauer, Chairman of the Audi Works Council in Ingolstadt, underscored the significance of the campaign: “Social commitment is the foundation of our society. Without the many people who volunteer and work full-time to help others, many things would not function. With our donation, we not only want to provide financial support, but also to send a clear message of appreciation. I am proud that almost all Audi employees once again participated – it shows how strong our solidarity is. We take responsibility for our region and stand by those who do great things for others every day.”

Xavier Ros, Member of the Board of Management for Human Resources at AUDI AG, said: “I am proud and grateful to present the Christmas donation on behalf of our employees. The enormous participation among the workforce shows what the Audi team is all about: we stand together, we take responsibility, and we want to make a difference in our home regions. With this donation, we can help where help is needed – at a time that is not only festive but also challenging for many people.”

Background information: more than 20 million euros for a good cause
For more than 45 years, the Audi Works Council has called on the workforce to make a Christmas donation each year. The campaign was launched by the then Works Council Chairman, Fritz Böhm. Since then, Audi employees have collected more than 20 million euros, and continue to support charitable institutions around the Ingolstadt home site to this day.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

Audi will enter Formula 1 in 2026, competing at the pinnacle of motorsport. To mark the occasion, Audi Tradition is looking back at the origins of Grand Prix racing in a special exhibition titled “Legends of Grand Prix.” From December 16, 2025, until the start of the new Formula 1 season on March 8, 2026, the Audi museum mobile will display fascinating racing cars from more than 100 years of history, including the winning car from the very first Grand Prix race, Michael Schumacher’s first Formula 1 car, and the legendary Silver Arrows: the Auto Union Grand Prix racing cars Type A, Type C, and Type D.

With its entry into the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, Audi is breaking new ground. At the same time, the brand with the four rings can look back on a successful motorsport history, with unforgettable highlights including historic victories in the World Rally Championship, successes in the DTM and on the circuit in the USA, and 13 victories in the world’s toughest endurance race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. As early as the 1920s, the predecessor brand NSU was at the top of the podium in Grand Prix races, and the legendary Silver Arrows of Auto Union dominated the top league of racing in the 1930s.

The exhibition first goes back to the early Grand Prix era, then takes us through the era of the Auto Union Silver Arrows and the 75-year history of Formula 1 from the early post-war racing cars to the present day. Stefan Trauf, Head of Audi Tradition, says: “With our special exhibition, ‘Legends of Grand Prix’, we want to shorten the winter break in Formula 1 for all fans and present many spectacular exhibits from the history of motorsport’s premier class until the first race of the new season.”

It is not only Formula 1 fans who will get their money’s worth at the exhibition, but also anyone who enjoys historical racing. Curator Stefan Felber is particularly proud of the Renault AK 90 CV: “It is the first vehicle in our exhibition. With it, we go back to the early Grand Prix era.” On June 26, 1906, French-Hungarian racing driver Ferenc Szisz made motorsport history at the wheel of such a 90 PS Renault: the then 33-year-old engineer won the French Grand Prix, considered the first Grand Prix race ever held.

Exhibition organizer Stefan Felber adds: “Unfortunately, the original vehicle no longer exists. However, we were able to borrow a detailed replica from the Vintage Classic Car Collection in Holland.” The new special exhibition also features a Talbot-Lago T26 C from the early days of F1 with a 240 PS inline six-cylinder naturally aspirated engine. Five Talbot-Lago T26 Cs competed in the very first Formula 1 race, the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on May 13, 1950.

The NSU 6/60 PS is an exhibition highlight from the AUDI AG historic vehicle collection. The first six-cylinder model from Neckarsulm has an output of 60 PS, weighs 830 kilograms, and has a top speed of 175 km/h. Almost 100 years ago, on July 11, 1926, NSU celebrated a highly acclaimed quadruple victory in the 1.5-liter class at the first German Grand Prix at the AVUS with its all-white racing car. Another highlight of the exhibition is the Bugatti Type 35 C – one of the most successful racing cars of all time. Its eight-cylinder engine delivers 95 PS thanks to a twin carburetor; with the Roots supercharger used since 1926, the power output increases to up to 130 PS. Other vehicles in the exhibition include a 1928 Wanderer W8; the Auto Union Grand Prix racing cars Type A, Type C and Type D from the 1930s; a Cisitalia 360 from 1947; a Toleman-Hart TG184 from 1984, which Ayrton Senna also drove; and a Jordan 191 from 1991, in which Michael Schumacher drove his first F1 race. The two most recent models, the Sauber C31 from 2012 and the F1 show car with Audi Launch Livery from 2022, complete the exhibition and take visitors into the preparatory phase of the 2026 Formula 1 season, in which Audi will be competing for points with its own factory team for the first time.

The Audi museum mobile at the Audi Forum Ingolstadt is open Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. It is closed from December 22, 2025 until January 6, 2026. Meanwhile you can discover the special exhibition “Legends of Grands Prix” anytime via the Audi Tradition app which is available at the App Store and the Google Play Store.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com