China - Audi and SAIC introduce the E5 Sportback with many advanced technologies, rear-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive options.
The car is designed specifically for the Chinese market, after the E concept version was introduced in 2024, to meet the growing needs of this market.
Officially launched at the Shanghai Auto Show, the new 5-door wagon uses only an electric motor and can be configured with rear-wheel or 4-wheel drive, with a maximum range of up to 770 km. The car will be available in showrooms in China this summer.
While the size is similar to the Audi A6 Avant, with the parameters of length x width x height, respectively 4,881 mm x 1,959 mm x 1,478 mm, the E5 Sportback is not simply a rebranded version of the e-tron.
The new AUDI OS, running on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 automotive chipset and displayed on a 27-inch 4K screen.
AUDI E5 Sportback debuted at the Shanghai Auto Show. Photo: High Turn Youth
Similar in size to the Audi A6 Avant, with the length x width x height parameters of 4,881 mm x 1,959 mm x 1,478 mm, respectively.
The new AUDI OS, running on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 automotive chipset and displayed on a 27-inch 4K screen.
The car is built on a platform developed from the cooperation between Audi and SAIC, aiming to combine the best advantages from Germany and China. Audi emphasizes outstanding design and engineering, while SAIC's contribution is reflected in the digital ecosystem and innovation.
The new AUDI OS, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 automotive chipset, is displayed on a large 27-inch 4K display that spans the entire width of the cabin.
Advanced features such as facial recognition and an app store that is “fully integrated into China’s digital world”. That means the system is tailored to China’s unique ecosystem of advanced, homegrown apps, from payment gateways to messaging services.
The car features a voice assistant developed by TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance. The focus is on making the virtual assistant as human-like as possible, with the ability to change its demeanor using the Behavior Select feature.
Another key criterion for judging premium cars sold in China is autonomous driving capabilities. The AUDI E5 Sportback has a LiDAR sensor, specially trained for the challenges of China’s urban roads. For example, the system is said to be able to detect three-wheelers and delivery people on two wheels.
AUDI also has a parking assistant that can memorize routes through multi-storey car parks and navigate to a specific spot before parking itself.
The specifications and options of the AUDI E5 Sportback have some similarities with other entries in Audi's lineup. The 800V charging architecture can provide a range of 370 km after charging in just 10 minutes, similar to the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture that supports the A6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron.
The E5 Sportback will be available in four variants. Rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options are available, with power levels of 295 hp, 402 hp, 570 hp, or 776 hp, respectively.
The E5 version with the most powerful motor accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds. The largest battery on offer is 100 kWh, with a maximum driving range of 770 km in the CLTC test cycle. The E5 uses air suspension.
The E5 Sportback will go on sale this summer and will form the basis of the AUDI brand. Two more AUDI models are expected to be launched in 2026 and 2027.
(via Carscoops)