China-market AUDI models E5 Sportback and E7X now sold in Germany
German importer Auto China has begun selling the China-only AUDI E5 Sportback and E7X electric models in Germany, though at nearly double the price, while Audi publicly distances itself from the parallel import.
Electric vehicles AUDI E5 Sportback and AUDI E7X, previously sold exclusively in China, are now available in Germany. German media report that sales are being handled by direct importer Auto China, which also offers other Chinese brands such as Xiaomi, SAIC and Li Auto.
According to the importer, demand for both models has been strong, and the first units have already been sold. However, Audi itself is not directly involved in this trade — the company publicly distances itself from such parallel imports, stressing that these models were developed specifically for Chinese customers and intended solely for the local market. Notably, the vehicles are branded without Audi's usual four-ring logo, with the name written in capital letters instead.
Price nearly doubles
In Germany, the AUDI E5 Sportback costs 59,980 euros, while the E7X is priced at 72,900 euros. By comparison, the E5 Sportback costs around 30,000 euros in China, and during promotions has occasionally been available for just over 25,000 euros. The price gap is explained by the fact that the cars are built to Chinese market specifications, fitted with the GB/T charging standard rather than the CCS standard common in Europe. Additional costs stem from transport, homologation and customs duties.
Technical specifications
In China, the E5 Sportback is offered with rear-wheel or quattro all-wheel drive and up to 579 kW (787 hp) of power. The largest battery has a 100 kWh capacity and offers up to roughly 770 km of range under China's CLTC cycle, while the 800-volt architecture allows about 370 km of range to be added in 10 minutes of charging. The car also features adaptive air suspension, all-wheel steering and an extensive sensor suite including LiDAR.
The E7X, meanwhile, comes with a 300 kW (408 hp) rear-wheel-drive version or a 500 kW (680 hp) quattro all-wheel-drive variant capable of accelerating to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. It uses a 900-volt architecture with a 100 or 109 kWh battery, delivering more than 750 km of range and a 10-80% charge time of about 13 minutes.
