The AUDI sub-brand’s E5 Sportback impressed Chinese buyers with up to 402 miles of range, dual motors, and a surprisingly low price tag
Not too long ago, Audi made the decision to launch a stand-alone EV brand in China under the name AUDI, written in all caps. While it seemed like a questionable move at the time, it appears to be paying off, judging by the demand for its first model, the new E5 Sportback.
According to the company, when pre-orders for the E5 opened on August 18, more than 10,000 reservations rolled in within half an hour. Those kinds of numbers are common for Chinese startups, but not for long-established manufacturers. Just as important as the tally itself is the message it sends: there’s no better way to create FOMO than to show how many people have already locked in an order for this EV, complete with some German heritage.
Read: Of Course, The New AUDI E5 EV Is Ridiculously Cheap In China
Of course, the figures themselves don’t carry much weight, since they’re not binding or backed by non-refundable deposits. It’s possible that a fair share of those who placed early reservations for the E5 could cancel before the car actually reaches their driveway.
With that being said, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise as to why the E5 has proven to be popular. As we confirmed last month, the entry-level Pioneer version starts at just 235,900 yuan or around $33,100. For the money, shoppers get a 76 kWh battery pack, a 295 hp rear motor, and a claimed range of 384 miles (618 km).
Other models include the 402 hp, rear-wheel drive Pioneer Plus with a 100 kWh battery and starting at 269,900 yuan ($38,000) and the Pioneer Plus with an 83 kWh pack and dual motors delivering 518 hp, priced from the same 269,900 yuan ($38,000). The range is then topped out by the Flagship Quattro with a 100 kWh battery, 402 miles (647 km) of range, and dual motors with 776 hp. It starts at just 319,900 yuan ($45,000).
The cabin of the AUDI E5 Sportback is unlike any Audi model sold in the West, and instead far more similar to other EVs in China. It includes a 59-inch screen stretching across the entire dashboard, digital wing mirrors, soft-touch leather and Alcantara, and wireless phone chargers.
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Brad Anderson’s lifelong affair and fascination with cars started young. Before even graduating high school,… Read full bio

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