AUDI, the new brand created through a partnership between Volkswagen’s Audi and Chinese automaker SAIC, will open pre-sales of its first model, the E5 Sportback, on August 18, with an official launch scheduled for later this summer, according to a report from local media outlet Dongchedi.
The all-electric midsize vehicle is built on the Advanced Digitized Platform developed jointly by Audi and SAIC and will be produced at SAIC Audi’s manufacturing facility.
The model is based on the AUDI E concept first shown in 2024, which was presented as close to production-ready and targeted for launch in 2025.
The E5 Sportback was unveiled at the 2025 Shanghai auto show in April. Designed as a B-class Sportback with a shooting brake profile, it is positioned to compete with models such as Nio’s ET5 Touring.
Regulatory filings show the E5 Sportback is built on an 800-volt high-voltage platform and will offer single- and dual-motor options. Its 83.3 kWh and 100 kWh battery packs provide a driving range of between 647 km and 697 km.