SAIC Audi just fired a major shot in China’s electric vehicle market. The brand announced its new E5 Sportback, an all-electric fastback, racked up an incredible 10,153 orders within the first 30 minutes of its launch. With a starting price of just 235,900 yuan (around $32,400 USD), it’s clear Audi is not just competing, it’s aiming to dominate.
This car isn’t just another EV, it’s a statement. It’s a blend of classic Audi design, cutting-edge Chinese-market tech, and a price that makes rivals sweat. It enters a brutal mid-size segment, ready to challenge established players like the Tesla Model 3, Nio ET5T, and Zeekr 007 GT. To put that in perspective, Tesla’s Model 3 has been a sales leader, but Audi’s aggressive opening move shows it’s ready for a fight.
| Metric | Value | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) | 3.4 | s | Flagship quattro AWD model |
| Peak power | 220 – 579 | kW | Varies by trim (RWD and AWD) |
| Range (CLTC) | 618 – 773 | km | Depending on battery and drivetrain |
| Battery capacity | 76.2 / 83.3 / 100 | kWh | LFP and NCM options available |
| Battery supplier / Chemistry | CATL | — | Offers both LFP and NCM cells |
| System Architecture | 800V | — | Enables faster DC charging speeds |
| Dimensions (L/W/H) | 4881 / 1960 / 1479 | mm | Wheelbase: 2,950 mm |
| Starting price (local market) | ¥235,900 | CNY | Approximately 32,400 USD |
Sleek, Smart, and Built to Perform
The E5 Sportback carries the sleek, aerodynamic DNA of the Audi E concept car. Its fastback profile, hidden door handles, and frameless doors contribute to an impressive drag coefficient of 0.252 Cd. In simple terms, it slips through the air efficiently, helping it maximize its range. The lighting is a showstopper, with 942 LEDs creating dynamic welcome animations that give the car a futuristic personality.
Inside, the cabin is dominated by a massive 59-inch integrated display powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8295 chip. It’s a clean, high-tech command center, running the slick Audi OS. A cool “Audi Island” control interface and electronic rear-view mirrors add to the futuristic vibe. And for daily convenience, the car features heated and ventilated seats, a panoramic roof, and wireless phone charging. The higher trims even add air suspension and adaptive dampers, which let you switch between a plush, comfortable ride and taut, sporty handling.
Power and Brains
Underneath the skin, the E5 Sportback offers something for everyone. It’s built on a jointly developed Advanced Digitised Platform and comes in both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive flavors. The single-motor versions provide a healthy 220 kW or 300 kW, perfect for daily commutes. But if you’ve got a need for speed, the dual-motor quattro models churn out a massive 386 kW or 579 kW, launching the car from 0 to 100 km/h in a blistering 3.4 seconds.
The battery technology is just as impressive. With options ranging from a 76.2 kWh LFP pack to a 100 kWh NCM unit from top-tier supplier CATL, you can get up to a claimed 773 km of CLTC range. The standard 800V architecture means charging is seriously quick, so you’ll spend less time plugged in.
The car isn’t just fast, it’s smart. It’s packed with 27 sensors, including lidar and radar, all processed by an Nvidia Orin-X chip. This hardware powers Momenta’s advanced driver-assist system, an end-to-end solution that handles everything from city driving to highway cruising and automated parking. It’s a glimpse into the future of autonomous driving, available today. This potent combination of performance, technology, and aggressive pricing makes the Audi E5 Sportback a formidable new contender in China’s EV arena.
