AUDI E5 Sportback: China's 2026 Car of the Year
Chinese experts have crowned the AUDI E5 Sportback as the top car of 2026, a standout electric vehicle designed exclusively for the Chinese market by Polish designer Kamil Łabanowicz.
A New Brand Triumphs Over Local Rivals
The AUDI E5 Sportback, from a fresh brand launched in China by the SAIC-Volkswagen joint venture, snagged the prestigious "2026 China Car of the Year" award. Don't mix it up with the classic Audi—this one's a distinct lineup without the four-ring logo, sporting a bold new "AUDI" wordmark instead. It beat out tough competition from domestic manufacturers, proving its appeal with impressive performance and design.
Blazing Speed and Epic Range
This electric fastback packs a punch with up to 787 horsepower (579 kW) and 800 Nm of torque, hitting 0-100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds. Enjoy a range of up to 773 km on a full charge (CLTC standard), thanks to its advanced 800V system that adds 380 km in only 10 minutes of fast charging. Features like quattro all-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, and adaptive air suspension make it agile and smooth on any road.
Media buzz and public excitement are off the charts, especially among young drivers who rave about its thrilling drive. Nearly 10,000 orders poured in within 30 minutes of launch, showing massive demand.
Standout Design and Smart Tech
Designed by Polish talent Kamil Łabanowicz, who shaped the entire AUDI lineup, the E5 Sportback draws inspiration from icons like the Audi TT and Sport quattro. Its modern fastback body blends sleek coupe lines with practical sedan space.
Inside, a massive 4K pillar-to-pillar screen runs on AUDI OS with a Snapdragon 8295 chip. An AI-powered virtual assistant personalizes your experience, while the AUDI 360 system uses LiDAR for smart driving assistance in city and highway scenarios.
Key Specs at a Glance
- Performance: Up to 787 hp, 3.4s 0-100 km/h sprint, quattro drive, all-wheel steering, adaptive air suspension.
- Battery & Charging: 770+ km range (CLTC), 800V architecture for 370-380 km in 10 minutes.
- Design & Cabin: Dynamic fastback styling, 4K P2P display, AI assistant.
- Driver Aids: AUDI 360 with LiDAR for urban/highway autonomy.
Market Buzz and Awards
Launched in late 2025, deliveries started soon after, positioning it as a direct rival to premium Chinese EVs like Nio and Zeekr. Beyond Car of the Year, it won Best Premium Car 2025 and Best Sedan Design. "Developed with China Speed and German Engineering," it perfectly blends local innovation with proven excellence.
With overwhelming interest from media and fans, the AUDI E5 Sportback is redefining luxury EVs in China.
