AUDI E5 Sportback Wins Prestigious Award
The AUDI E5 Sportback has been awarded the 2026 China Car of the Year, a significant accolade determined by a panel of industry media experts. This model stands out as the first offering from Audi’s newly established China-exclusive brand, securing recognition just one year after its market entry.
Bridging Engineering and Digital Innovation
Combining Audi’s engineering prowess with China’s digital innovation landscape, the E5 Sportback effectively meets the demands of emerging customer demographics. The AUDI brand has carved a unique niche within China’s premium electric vehicle sector, integrating high-quality standards with local expectations.
A Series of Awards
Since its launch, the E5 Sportback has amassed several industry accolades, including:
- 2025 Most Popular Premium Car
- Intelligent Premium Sedan of the Year
- Best Handling Sedan of the Year
- Best Design Sedan of the Year
Comments from Leadership
Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG, remarked, “This award validates our unique approach in China with two strong brands and deep integration of local innovation. We are attracting new customers and reinforcing our position in the world’s most competitive market.”
Fermín Soneira, CEO of the Audi and SAIC collaboration, added, “It is a great honour to receive the China Car of the Year award for the AUDI E5 Sportback. This model embodies our understanding of the Chinese market, appealing to a new generation of consumers seeking Audi’s renowned driving dynamics, quality, and safety.”
Specifications and Features
The four-door AUDI E5 Sportback is a fully electric fastback, delivering up to 579 kW and offering a maximum range of 770 km. It features four powertrain options with either rear-wheel or quattro drive, enabling acceleration from 0-100 km/h in as little as 3.4 seconds. Built on the Advanced Digitized Platform (ADP), it supports next-generation connected vehicle capabilities and over-the-air updates.
Core Product Experience
The recognition of the AUDI brand’s inaugural model rests on four key pillars:
- Pioneering design language
- Driving performance that reflects authentic Audi DNA while setting new benchmarks for electric driving pleasure
- Premium quality through meticulously selected materials and a tranquil cabin
- Uncompromising safety standards, featuring advanced driver-assistance systems across the entire model range
Timeline of Launch and Future Plans
The AUDI brand was launched in Shanghai in November 2024, with the E5 Sportback debuting at the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2025. Production commenced in August 2025 at the AUDI Intelligent Production Site in Shanghai, with order books opening on the same day. Customer deliveries began following the official market launch in September. The AUDI E SUV concept was introduced at the Guangzhou Auto Show in November 2025, signalling the brand’s ambition to lead in the premium all-electric SUV segment. The production model based on this concept, the AUDI E7X, is set to launch in 2026.
