New AUDI E5 Sportback EV Receives 10,000 Orders in 30 Minutes In China

Audi and SAIC Motor have officially launched their new joint brand, AUDI, with the debut of the E5 Sportback. The electric mid-size sedan went on sale in China last night with a starting price of RMB 235,900 ($33,180). Within just 30 minutes of the event, SAIC Audi reported 10,153 orders, hinting at strong market interest in the new brand’s first model.

Performance and range options

Built on the Advanced Digitized Platform co-developed by Audi and SAIC, the E5 Sportback is sized to compete directly with rivals such as the Nio ET5 Touring. Dimensions include a 4,881 mm length and 2,950 mm wheelbase, offering a touring-style profile. Four trims are available, ranging up to RMB 319,900, according to CNEV Post.

Customers can choose between rear-wheel-drive or dual-motor all-wheel-drive configurations. Outputs range from 220 kW to 579 kW, with 0–100 km/h times spanning from 6.1 seconds to 3.4 seconds. Battery options include 76.2-kWh, 83.3-kWh, and 100-kWh packs from CATL, providing CLTC ranges of 618 km to 773 km. Porsche-level charging performance is a highlight, with the E5 able to add 370 km of range in just 10 minutes.

Technology and market positioning

The E5 Sportback incorporates a roof-mounted LiDAR and an End-to-end Big Model (EBM) driver-assistance system developed with Chinese startup Momenta. Inside, the sedan introduces an AI-powered virtual assistant, controlled via voice or touch, designed to provide expressive responses and enhance driver interaction.

Audi and SAIC first unveiled the AUDI brand in November 2024 alongside the near-production “E concept.” The E5 Sportback is based on that design, signaling the brand’s intent to blend German luxury engineering with Chinese digital innovation. With competitive pricing, rapid charging, and advanced driver-assist features, the model positions AUDI as a strong new player in China’s fast-growing premium EV market.

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