Audi’s China-exclusive AUDI E5 Sportback Named “2026 China Car Of The Year”

AUDI E5 Sportback, the first model from Audi’s China-exclusive premium EV brand, AUDI, named “2026 China Car Of The Year”.

AUDI is China exclusive car brand with an illuminated “AUDI” logo spelled in four capital letters but without the classic “Four Rings”.

Developed in partnership with Chinese brand, SAIC, the AUDI E5 Sportback offers luxury tailored to Chinese lifestyles and tastes.

The all-electric AUDI E5 Sportback has emerged the “2026 China Car of the Year”, just a year after Audi’s China-exclusive premium EV brand – spelled in four capital letters but without the classic “Four Rings” – made its debut.

Voted on by a panel of industry media experts, the recognition joins a series of prestigious industry awards AUDI’s first model has garnered, including 2025 Most Popular Premium Car, Intelligent Premium Sedan of the Year, Best Handling Sedan of the Year, and Best Design Sedan of the Year.

Audi CEO Gernot Döllner: “This award validates our unique approach in China with two strong brands and deep integration of local innovation. Our transformation journey toward electrification and intelligent connected driving is on course.”

First previewed as the AUDI E concept car in November 2024, the 4-door, fully electric AUDI E5 Sportback is developed in partnership with Chinese brand, SAIC. Customer deliveries commenced following the model’s official market launch in September.

The AUDI E5 Sportback offers luxury tailored to Chinese lifestyles and tastes, merging Audi’s superior driving performance and premium quality with an AI-powered connectivity experience. It has taken up a distinctive position in China’s premium electric vehicle market.

Fermín Soneira, CEO of the Audi and SAIC cooperation project: “The AUDI brand addresses a new generation of Chinese consumers who expect Audi’s driving dynamics, quality, and safety, as well as seamless integration into their intelligent digital ecosystem.”

Built on the new jointly developed Advanced Digitized Platform, the AUDI E5 offers a power output of up to 579 kilowatts and a maximum electric range of 770 kilometers (478 miles) from the 100-kWh battery-pack.

Inside, it gets an immersive 27-inch pillar-to-pillar 4K display, an AI-powered touch- and voice-enabled avatar that aims to humanize digital interaction. E5 is equipped with LiDAR-based AUDI 360 Assisted Driving system designed to offer a safe and relaxing driving experience.

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