Audi E5 Sportback sells 10,153 in just 30 minutes as it sets record with China debut
Published on Sep 19, 2025 at 3:00 AM (UTC+4)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on Sep 19, 2025 at 11:56 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Ben Thompson
The Audi E5 Sportback is now available in China, and it’s already set a record.
Priced at $33,000, which is not that much, this EV secured 10,153 orders within 30 minutes.
This was a new record for Audi.
But there’s a minor fly in the ointment.
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The E5 Sportback is halfway between a sedan and a shooting brake, and it’s mega-fast
The new Audi E5 Sportback is the first China-only, or perhaps we should say China-first, Audi-badged vehicle.
And speaking of badges, ironically, the E5 Sportback is the first production model to feature the new (also China-only) logo, which consists of the letters ‘Audi’ spelled out instead of the iconic four-ring logo.
Halfway between a sedan and a shooting brake, the E5 was built in partnership with SAIC, and it’s quite sizable.
It’s 4.8 meters (188 inches) long, roughly the same as the G-Wagen.
This five-seat vehicle is available in rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations.
With the RWD variant, you get 295 horsepower or 402 horsepower, with a 0-60 time of 6.1 and 5 seconds, respectively.
As for the dual-motor variant, the AWD version, you can opt for 517 or 776 horsepower.
The range-topping variant does 0-60 in 3.4 seconds, and 773KM of range (480 miles).
It starts at 235,900 yuan, which is around $33,180.
And they already sold 10,153 orders in 30 minutes.
Not bad.
A new era, and not just for Audi
Part of the reason why Audi decided to change its logo for the Chinese market is that Audis sold over there aren’t really Audis.
With one glaring exception of Tesla, no Japanese or European automaker is allowed to do business in China unless they team up with a local manufacturer.
For Audi, that’s SAIC Motors, which is why the E5 Sportback is based on the Nio ET5.
Nissan, another example, partnered up with Dongfeng for the N7, which also set a sales record.
The minor fly in the ointment we mentioned before is that these vehicles are always China-first, and sometimes China-only.
Translated, there’s no guarantee the E5 Sportback will ever be sold globally.
Alessandro is an automotive journalist with 10 years of experience covering supercars, automotive history, emerging vehicle technology, and luxury transportation. He wrote the first article published on SupercarBlondie.com when the website launched in 2022 and has since built a reputation for insightful reporting across the automotive and transportation industries. His expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Alessandro has driven every Tesla model ever produced, from the original Roadster to the Cybertruck, and regularly covers the latest developments in electric vehicles and automotive innovation. His passion for transportation extends beyond cars, he has even flown a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His reporting spans everything from classic American muscle cars and rare automotive discoveries to luxury yachts, private aircraft, high-end watches, and cutting-edge vehicle technology. Known for his deep knowledge of automotive history and ability to uncover the stories behind iconic vehicles, Alessandro brings readers a blend of historical context, technical expertise, and first-hand experience.
