Audi has launched its first China-exclusive electric vehicle, the E5 Sportback, under the AUDI EV brand. The model, with 776 horsepower, features a forward-thinking electric hatchback design on a digital platform.
The E5 Sportback, slightly larger than the A5 Sportback, measures 4.9 meters (16 feet) in length, 1,960mm (77.1 inches) in width, and 1,476mm (58.1 inches) in height. Its design reflects a coupe-like SUV aesthetic. Built on the Advanced Digitized Platform (ADP), co-developed with SAIC, it is exclusive to the Chinese market.
The E5 Sportback departs from Audi’s European designs, featuring a minimalist aesthetic with slim headlights and an angular grille. The rear maintains a clean look, and all models display the AUDI text logo instead of the iconic four rings.
While specific battery details remain under wraps, the E5 Sportback is said to have a 100 kWh battery, offering an estimated range of 769km (478 miles) based on CLTC standards. The ADP platform supports 800V fast charging, recovering 370km (230 miles) of range in 10 minutes.
Customers can choose rear-wheel drive or quattro all-wheel drive, with power options from 295 hp to 776 hp. The top trim accelerates from 0 to 96 km/h (60 mph) in 3.4 seconds.
The E5 Sportback features a LiDAR-based driver assistance system with 29 sensors, designed for urban environments, especially in Chinese cities. While Audi hasn’t specified the autonomy level, the system can handle autonomous driving in cities.
Inside, a 27-inch 4K display dominates the dashboard, powered by AUDI OS and a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset with 30 billion calculations per second. The minimalist interior has almost no physical buttons, catering to Chinese consumer preferences.
Fermín Soneira, CEO of the Audi-SAIC joint venture, stated the E5 Sportback combines Audi’s DNA with China’s digital ecosystem, targeting tech-savvy Chinese customers. It will debut at Auto Shanghai from Wednesday to May 2, with more models launching in 2026 and 2027.
