Audi has officially started pre-sales of its first model, the E5 Sportback, in China through its new brand, AUDI. The E5 Sportback, similar to Nio Inc’s ET5 Touring, is priced between RMB 235,900 ($32,850) and RMB 319,900, with the official launch set for September.
Built on the Advanced Digitized Platform electric vehicle platform developed by Audi and SAIC, the E5 Sportback boasts dimensions of 4,881 mm in length, 1,960 mm in width, and 1,479 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,950 mm – similar to the Nio ET5 Touring’s measurements.
The E5 Sportback features an 800-volt high-voltage architecture and offers both single-motor and dual-motor options. The dual-motor variants deliver a maximum power output of 579 kW (788 horsepower) and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.4 or 3.9 seconds.
Equipped with battery packs ranging from 76.2 kWh to 100 kWh, the E5 Sportback offers impressive CLTC ranges of 618 km to 770 km. It can also gain 370 km of range with a quick 10-minute charge.
During the pre-sales phase, Audi is offering four versions of the E5 Sportback, including rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive options, with prices starting from RMB 235,900. In comparison, the Nio ET5 Touring’s starting price is RMB 298,000.
The E5 Sportback is integrated with a roof-mounted LiDAR and utilizes Momenta’s End-to-end Big Model (EBM) assisted driving solution. Momenta, a major shareholder of SAIC, has developed a city NOA feature that eliminates the need for high-definition maps for SAIC’s EV unit IM Motors.
The AUDI brand was launched in China last year by Audi and SAIC, with the E5 Sportback being based on the E concept unveiled in November 2024. The model was showcased at the 2025 Shanghai auto show and is the latest addition to the Chinese market’s station wagon segment.
In a related development, Huawei and Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC Group) recently initiated pre-sales of the S9T under their new joint brand, Stelato, which will compete with models like the Nio ET5 Touring. The automotive landscape in China continues to evolve with the introduction of innovative electric vehicles offering advanced features and performance capabilities.
