SAIC-Audi Launches E5 Sportback: A New Era for Electric Vehicles in China

The Audi E5 Sportback is a testament to innovation and collaboration, being produced at the SAIC Audi Smart Manufacturing Base. Offered in four distinct configurations, the vehicle is priced between 235,900 and 319,900 yuan (32,500-44,000 USD). Built on an advanced digital platform co-developed by SAIC and Audi, the E5 Sportback merges cutting-edge technology with iconic design elements from Audi’s lineage. The design echoes the first-generation Audi TT with its rounded wheel arches and incorporates sleek features reminiscent of the RSQ concept car and the RS6.

A standout feature of the E5 Sportback is its lighting system. The vehicle boasts a ring-shaped headlight cluster, an integrated closed front grille with lighting function modules, and an illuminated Audi logo. The dark chrome material used in the 3D floating designs of the front and rear logos adds a distinctive touch. The car is equipped with a roof-mounted LiDAR system that enhances its autonomous driving capabilities. This system is powered by Nvidia’s Orin-X chip and includes 27 perception devices such as LiDAR, millimeter-wave radars, ultrasonic radars, and cameras, ensuring top-notch performance across diverse driving scenarios, from city streets to highways.

The E5 Sportback's exterior is designed with both aesthetics and functionality in mind. The vehicle features hidden door handles and electronic side mirrors that integrate advanced functions like Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Door Open Warning (DOW), and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA). The Sportback design not only enhances the vehicle's sporty appeal but also ensures ample interior headroom, offering the practicality of a wagon. The rear lights mirror the front's design, creating a cohesive visual signature with their through-type assembly and intricate laser-engraved triangular elements.

Inside, the E5 Sportback offers a premium experience with its streamlined cockpit. The interior is dominated by an 'ultrawide' digital display that combines the instrument cluster, central control screen, and passenger entertainment screen. The electronic side mirrors' displays are elegantly incorporated into the 'ear flaps' of this screen. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8295 chip, the new Audi OS operating system integrates the AI-driven Audi assistant, providing sophisticated semantic understanding and multi-round dialogue capabilities for an intuitive user interaction.

Performance-wise, the E5 Sportback does not disappoint. Buyers can opt for single or dual-motor configurations, with power outputs ranging from 299 hp to an impressive 787 hp. The entry-level model is equipped with a 76kWh LFP battery, providing a range of 618 km, while higher configurations use CATL’s NCM lithium batteries, offering ranges up to 773 km. With Audi’s quattro intelligent all-wheel-drive system, the vehicle accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds. The E5 Sportback also features adjustable active air suspension and continuously variable damping for an optimized driving experience.

As SAIC and Audi deepen their partnership in China, the E5 Sportback enters a competitive but expanding market segment, facing rivals like the Zeekr 007GT and Nio ET5T. This launch signifies more than just a new vehicle; it represents a strategic move to capture a significant share of the premium EV market in China. The combination of local production with Audi’s global expertise positions the E5 Sportback as a formidable contender in the EV race.