present at the Shanghai Auto Show with five new models, including the AUDI E5 Sportback

The Shanghai Auto Show is in full swing after its doors opened and, as could not be otherwise, it is delivering very interesting news from practically every brand, including Audi, as the German marque has presented several models aimed at its Chinese customers, as well as the first production model of its AUDI brand, created for the production and sale of models specifically for China.

Despite the rise of Chinese domestic brands, the Asian country remains a very important market niche for European brands, as a giant like Audi demonstrates, bringing five new models based on the PPE, PPC and PDA platforms that will be produced and distributed through its local partners, FAW and SAIC.

In this way FAW will be in charge of distributing and producing new models such as the A5L and the Q5L with mild-hybrid or electric engines such as the A6L e-tron, all of them with extended wheelbase and with equipment that will also differ from the European version, designed to meet the demands of its Chinese customers. Its other partner, SAIC, will handle the A5L Sportback, a version of the A5 we know but which, in addition to being based on the PPC platform, also features a digital ecosystem specific to China.

AUDI E5 Sportback

But without a doubt the crown jewel of the Audi stand is the new AUDI E5 Sportback, the first production model of the new brand created exclusively for China, a model we already had a preview of with the announcement of this new brand last month. It is a new fully electric four-door model with a length of 4,881 mm based on the new PDA platform developed together with SAIC, offered in four drivetrain variants with rear-wheel drive or Quattro all-wheel drive.

The design of the AUDI E5 Sportback breaks with what has been known from the German brand until now and is entirely new, as you can see. As is usual in fully electric models, the grille provides the futuristic touch, together with pronounced shoulders and a digital surface complemented by illuminated logos. The front also highlights the optical units and the functional modules, which blend almost invisibly into a black frame; when inactive, the daytime running lights remain hidden, giving a subtle glow, and when they switch on, the Matrix LED headlights kick off the show, activating more than 1,000 individual light units made up of triangular sources.

The interior of the AUDI E5 Sportback features a design of light, horizontal planes that combines luxury with the most advanced technology. Highlights include three-dimensional wood slat inserts with indirect lighting, a light that also accentuates the touch surfaces, such as the incredible 27-inch 4K display that stretches across the whole dashboard and is equipped with the AUDI OS operating system, powered by a high-performance QUALCOMM Snapdragon 8295 processor.

Mechanically, the AUDI E5 Sportback will be available in outputs of 220, 300, 425 or 579 kW with rear-wheel drive or Quattro all-wheel drive, in combination with a battery of up to 100 kWh capacity that gives it a maximum range of 770 kilometres and which, according to Audi, thanks to its 800-volt architecture can charge for 370 kilometres in 10 minutes.