Audi has introduced its first electric vehicle designed specifically for China, the E5 Sportback. Producing up to 776 horsepower, the four-door hatchback is based on the Advanced Digitized Platform (ADP) developed in collaboration with SAIC. With a more than 16 feet length and a crossover-style design, the vehicle is a symbol of Audi’s advanced technology in the Chinese market. The E5 Sportback will be displayed at Auto Shanghai from April 23 to May 2.
The design of the E5 Sportback deviates from Audi’s European design language with a minimalist style. With thin headlights, a rectangular face and the Four Rings logo, the vehicle is suitable for the modern aesthetic taste of Chinese consumers. While the ADP platform will underpin future Audi models, it is limited to China. Audi claims the vehicle’s 800-volt charging system will provide 230 miles of range in 10 minutes.
The E5 Sportback is a fully electric vehicle, available with rear-wheel drive or quattro all-wheel drive options. Customers can choose from four power levels, ranging from 295 hp to 776 hp. The top-end model achieves 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds. With a battery capacity of up to 100 kilowatt-hours, the vehicle offers a range of up to 478 miles, but it is unclear whether this figure is based on China’s CLTC test cycle.
Another attraction of the E5 Sportback is its cutting-edge technology. The LiDAR-based driver-assist system, which consists of 29 hardware components, is designed for complex urban driving. The cabin features a 27-inch 4K display and Audi OS powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset. The digital system, capable of over-the-air updates, meets the expectations of Chinese customers in a minimalist interior.
“This vehicle, which combines Audi’s engineering excellence with China’s digital innovations, is designed for our tech-savvy customers,” said Fermin Soneira, CEO of the Audi-SAIC collaboration project. Audi plans to launch two additional models in 2026 and 2027, further strengthening its leadership in electric mobility in the Chinese market.