Audi just won China’s 2026 'Car of the Year' with a vehicle that has zero rings and is not available to western markets
Published on Jan 12, 2026 at 4:58 PM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Jan 12, 2026 at 5:04 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
Audi has won China’s 2026 Car of the Year award, with an EV the West won’t see, and it doesn’t even have the iconic Audi rings at the front.
The German manufacturer has a strong presence in China, with it being one of several manufacturers creating models to cater specifically to the Chinese market.
Its latest model is the E5 Sportback, a car that won the 2026 China Car of the Year award and was presented at the Shanghai Auto Show in 2025.
Unfortunately, Western countries will never get to see it.
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What makes the Audi E5 Sportback so special?
The car is an all-electric fastback, that will have over-the-air updates.
Four powertrain options are available on the new car.
There is rear-wheel and all-wheel drive available, with the max power output rated at 776hp.
That means the E5 Sportback takes just 3.4 seconds to go from 0-62mph.
Impressively, the most frugal version of the Sportback has a maximum range of 478 miles.
If it were available in the United States, the base model would cost around $33,800.
This rises to $46,000 for the top-of-the-range version of the EV.
The company has called this flagship variant the Quattro.
Why it was named China’s 2026 Car of the Year
Even the lower range model, the Quattro, can still go 402 miles on a single charge.
Naturally, the German manufacturer was ecstatic at having received the coveted award for China’s Car of the Year for 2026.
CEO of the Audi and SAIC cooperation project, Fermin Soneira, waxed lyrical about the car.
“As the first model from the new AUDI brand, it truly represents the brand’s spirit: the best of both worlds,” he said.
In 2024, the German manufacturer launched the AUDI brand in Shanghai.
This is a new marque from the German company, specifically to cater to China.
It is a big step up from simply offering modified versions of cars for the market.
Now, it has a major foothold in the country, with its new brand making vehicles that the West will never receive.
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Henry is a content writer with nearly ten years experience, having written for various publications since 2017. Qualifying with a Sports Journalism degree from Staffordshire University, Henry loves all things automotive but has a particular soft spot for classic Japanese cars and anything Lancia. He also has a curious passion for steam locomotives.
