Audi Without the Rings: How the Germans Sparked a Revolution with the New E5 Sportback

Four interlocked rings — a symbol that defined Audi for nearly a century. But at the Shanghai Auto Show, something historic happened: Audi unveiled its first production model without the iconic rings. Meet the E5 Sportback — sleek, intelligent, and unapologetically bold. This isn’t just a new car. It’s a statement of a new design philosophy.

When Tradition Takes a Back Seat

Four interlocked rings — a symbol that defined Audi for nearly a century. But at the Shanghai Auto Show, something historic happened: Audi unveiled its first production model without the iconic rings. Meet the E5 Sportback — sleek, intelligent, and unapologetically bold. This isn’t just a new car. It’s a statement of a new design philosophy.

Dark Aesthetics and a Light Show in Place of a Grille

The first thing you notice? No traditional Singleframe grille. Instead, Audi introduces the Light Frame — a mesmerizing panel made of thousands of tiny triangles that shimmer like jewels under the light. It’s not just design; it’s a visual punch to convention.

Both the front and rear ends feature black “loops”, integrating lighting, radar, and sensors seamlessly. It looks like something out of a cyberpunk movie — aggressive, futuristic, and effortlessly cool.

Cameras Over Mirrors, and Flush Handles Too

Forget old-school side mirrors. They’ve been replaced with high-res cameras, streaming real-time footage to in-cabin displays. The door handles? Retractable, only appearing when needed. And in the back — a massive spoiler, a subtle but clear nod that this Audi isn’t just about luxury — it’s built for performance.

Inside: A Spacecraft Vibe

Step inside and you're transported into the future. A 27-inch curved display stretches across the dashboard, combining the digital gauge cluster, infotainment system, and passenger screen into one seamless unit. It’s powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chip, running on Audi’s in-house OS.

There’s even a voice assistant powered by AI, wireless charging with active cooling, and a full suite of driver-assist technologies. It’s quiet, comfortable, and fully loaded. Exactly how the modern man wants to drive — or be driven.

Under the Hood: 787 Silent Horses

The E5 Sportback is built on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) — the same electric backbone you’ll see in the upcoming A6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron. You’ll be able to choose between single or dual-motor setups, with power ranging from 295 to 787 horsepower.

The top-tier model goes 0 to 100 km/h (0–62 mph) in just 3.4 seconds. All that speed — with none of the engine roar. Just the whisper of turbines and the hum of a high-capacity 100 kWh battery delivering up to 700 km (435 miles) of range.

For China Now, But Not for Long

Right now, the model is exclusive to the Chinese market, but make no mistake — this is only the beginning. Sales kick off in summer 2025, and two more models without rings are expected in 2026 and 2027. It’s clear: the age of traditional branding is fading, giving way to a new era of sleek identity.

The E5 Sportback isn’t just a car. It’s a statement. It’s style. It’s the future — and you can be the first to drive it.
No rings. No rules. Just presence.