SAIC–Audi has officially unveiled its first production model, the AUDI E5 Sportback, at the Auto Shanghai 2025 event. This marks a significant milestone for the new AUDI brand, representing a collaboration between SAIC and Audi specifically for the Chinese market.

A New Brand Identity

The new AUDI brand—spelt in capital letters without the iconic four rings—represents a distinct departure from traditional Audi branding while maintaining the company’s DNA. This China-exclusive brand aims to blend Audi’s engineering with innovations explicitly tailored for Chinese consumers.

“With our new China-only brand AUDI, we are continuing to push boundaries,” said Gernot Döllner, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. “The E5 Sportback offers the very best qualities of Audi, reimagined for and tailored to customers in China.”

Advanced Platform

The E5 Sportback is built on the jointly developed Advanced Digitised Platform (ADP), which was created explicitly for the Chinese market using an innovative zonal electronic architecture. This platform enables next-generation connected vehicle functionality and over-the-air updates for all vehicle systems.

The vehicle boasts dimensions of 4,870/1,990/1,460mm in l/w/h, with a wheelbase of 2,950mm. Its sleek, sporty design features a distinctive fastback silhouette with dynamic proportions.

Performance specifications

• Power output of up to 579 kilowatts (776 hp)
• Maximum range of 770 kilometres (CLTC standard)
• 0-100 km/h acceleration in as little as 3.4 seconds
• Four electric powertrain options with either rear-wheel or quattro all-wheel drive
• 800-volt architecture enabling ultra-fast charging (370km range in just 10 minutes)
• 100 kWh battery capacity in top configuration

Design Elements

The E5 Sportback’s bold exterior design reinterprets Audi’s traditional styling cues. Instead of the familiar four-ring logo, the vehicle displays the AUDI wordmark at both front and rear.

The circular LED light array at the front is a distinctive feature, creating a highly recognisable light signature. The vehicle also incorporates a single roof-mounted LiDAR sensor for advanced driver assistance capabilities.

The interior has an expansive connected display screen that spans much of the dashboard, complemented by extensive wood trim elements that add warmth and luxury to the cabin.

Technology Focus

• AUDI OS operating system powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 automotive chipset
• 27-inch pillar-to-pillar 4K display with customizable layouts
• AI-powered virtual assistant with touch and voice control
• LiDAR-based AUDI 360 Assisted Driving system with 29 perception hardware units
• Progressive all-wheel steering with adaptive air suspension

The AUDI E5 Sportback is scheduled to enter the Chinese market in summer 2025, with two additional all-electric AUDI models planned for launch in 2026 and 2027.

According to Fermín Soneira, CEO of the Audi and SAIC Cooperation Project, “The AUDI E5 Sportback is our first model based on the Advanced Digitised Platform, and it delivers on our brand promise: the best of both worlds. Audi’s DNA and engineering excellence are blended with China’s digital ecosystem and innovations, specifically tailored for our tech-savvy customers.”

This launch represents just the beginning of what AUDI describes as its “largest ever product initiative” and a bold new chapter in the brand’s approach to the Chinese market.