AUDI, a new brand created by Volkswagen’s Audi and China’s SAIC Motor, launched its first model, the E5 Sportback, at an event late Monday, drawing strong early demand.
The E5 Sportback, a mid-size sedan, starts at RMB 235,900 ($33,180), matching its pre-sale pricing. SAIC Audi said the model received 10,153 orders within the first 30 minutes of the launch.
Built on the Advanced Digitized Platform co-developed by Audi and SAIC, the vehicle measures 4,881 mm in length, 1,960 mm in width, and 1,479 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,950 mm — dimensions comparable to Nio’s ET5 Touring.
The model is offered in four trims, priced at RMB 235,900, RMB 269,900, RMB 269,900, and RMB 319,900. It comes in both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive versions, with powertrain options ranging from 220 kW (295 hp) to 579 kW, enabling acceleration from 0–100 km/h in as little as 3.4 seconds.
Battery options include a 76.2-kWh lithium iron phosphate pack and 83.3-kWh and 100-kWh ternary lithium packs, providing CLTC ranges between 618 km and 773 km. The company said a 10-minute charge can add 370 km of range.
Equipped with a roof-mounted LiDAR, the E5 Sportback incorporates an End-to-End Big Model driver assistance system developed with Chinese startup Momenta. The sedan also features an AI-powered virtual assistant that responds via touch or voice and supports emotional interaction.
Audi and SAIC unveiled their joint AUDI brand in November 2024, introducing the E concept, which was described at the time as being 95% production-ready. The E5 Sportback is based on that concept vehicle.