AUDI records 10,000 orders for the E5 Sportback in the first half hour

As you have probably already heard, the situation of Audi in the Chinese market over the last few quarters has been quite difficult, with a significant drop in sales volume in the face of the rise of local brands, capable of offering vehicles with advanced technology at a more competitive price.

To get out of this significant rut, the German manufacturer has forged a strategic alliance with the Chinese giant SAIC, creating the AUDI sub-brand – written in capital letters and completely dispensing with the iconic four-rings logo. An initiative that now seems to be starting to bear fruit.

The brand’s first model, the E5 Sportback, an electric family car with a clear sporty character, has got off to a very good start in the Chinese market, registering more than 10,000 orders in just half an hour.

Everything you need to know about the new E5 Sportback

Produced at a SAIC-Volkswagen plant in Anting, Shanghai, this vehicle has been designed from the outset to meet the demands of the Chinese public and will not be sold in any other market. AUDI thus positions itself in China as an exclusively electric brand, with a range that will keep growing over the next two years.

One of the reasons, though not the only one, that explains the success AUDI is having with the E5 Sportback is its selling price. The entry version of this model, with a rear-wheel-drive motor producing 216 kW of power, paired with a 76 kWh battery pack, is available from just under 30,000 euros at current exchange rates, offering a CLTC range of 618 kilometres. In addition, the top-of-the-range version of the same model, with dual electric motors and Quattro all-wheel drive, delivers 570 kW of power, allowing it to reach 100 km/h from a standstill in just 3.4 seconds. This version has a base price below 40,000 euros at current exchange rates, with a CLTC range of 647 kilometres.

But as we have said, the success of the E5 Sportback cannot be explained by its price alone. This AUDI model comes loaded with technology, which is highly valued by Chinese customers. Its technical specifications include the rear-wheel steering axle it integrates and the adaptive air suspension, an 800-volt architecture that improves the charging power the vehicle can accept, not to mention the integration of a LiDAR sensor for autonomous driving.

Technology inside and out

The vehicle’s interior, on the other hand, is adapted to local tastes and stands out for its enormous 27-inch 4K panoramic screen that stretches across the dashboard from side to side. Integrated side cameras that replace the rear-view mirrors are also included, among other notable technological details.

In short, as we can see, the secret to success in the Chinese market is very simple: offering the best technology at a competitive price. Something that Audi has already understood with the launch of its AUDI sub-brand.