China’s Audi E5 Unveiled

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Electric Debut

The Volkswagen Group has introduced an intriguing addition to its portfolio, but it’s not the Audi we usually think of. Instead, it’s a new, China-only electric sub-brand known simply as AUDI, making its big debut at the 2025 Shanghai Motor Show with the E5 Sportback. This model stands out as a sleek fastback crossover with an angular design and narrow lights both front and rear. It’s built on a cutting-edge “Advanced Digitised Platform,” a collaboration between Audi Germany and SAIC, ensuring it packs some serious tech under the hood.

The AUDI E5 offers four distinct flavors, powered by rear-wheel drive or the more robust quattro all-wheel drive. Power outputs range from a spirited 295 horsepower up to an impressive 776 horsepower, with the top-tier version reportedly doing 0 to 60 mph in a swift 3.4 seconds. To keep the adventure going, all variants come with a 100 kWh battery and an 800V charging system, promising to juice up an additional 230 miles in just ten minutes. Clocking a range up to 478 miles, the E5 aims to deliver smooth rides aided by all-wheel steering and adaptive air suspension.


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Inside the E5

Step inside, and the AUDI E5 greets you with luxury and tech-savvy features. A massive 27-inch 4K infotainment screen stretches across the dashboard, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 processor. This setup not only impresses on paper but also hosts an AI assistant, which partners with LiDAR, ultrasonic sensors, and cameras to bolster driver-assistance systems. The specifics of this system’s capabilities — whether Level 2 or 3 autonomy — are yet to be articulated, but it’s tailored for handling complex urban settings.

What’s Next?

Looking forward, the AUDI brand plans to expand, with two more models rolling out in 2026 and 2027. While details about these models are sparse, following automotive trends suggests they might be an SUV and a sedan. The brand seems to be hitting the ground running, despite its rather confusing name. However, the Chinese market is fiercely competitive, with companies like BYD and NIO setting high benchmarks. Whether AUDI can carve out a significant niche remains a compelling question.

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