Audi’s new sub-brand launch in China, AUDI, may be grabbing all the attention for the German marque at the ongoing Guangzhou Auto Show 2024, but the brand hasn’t forgotten its bread and butter models.
Enter the China-exclusive A5L, a long-wheelbase version of the A5, complete with a conventional sedan trunk and an obvious purpose to fill the void left by the A4L.
Globally, the Audi A5 is offered with the familiar 5-door body style (formerly known as the Sportback but now marketed as a sedan in Europe) and the Avant. However, in China, the A5L takes a different route. It is the only true four-door variant of the A5 and, in fact, replaces the long-wheelbase A4.
With an overall length of 4,902 mm and an extended wheelbase of 2,965 mm, the A5L is 73 mm longer than its standard sibling. Of that, 65 mm has been apportioned between the axles, a deliberate adjustment aimed at enhancing rear-passenger comfort, a prominent feature of the Chinese market where customers always want the most comfortable ride.
As predicted, the A5L looks sleeker and sportier than its predecessor, the A4, thanks to its sculpted fenders and aggressive details. While sharing the same design language as the standard A5, the A5L stands out with significantly longer rear doors and a more prominent rear end, completely abandoning any hints of a liftback silhouette.
In terms of lighting, the A5L retains the Matrix LED headlights and digital OLED taillights of the global A5 but adds LED strips to the front grille and illuminated four-ring logos on both ends.
Audi has not yet released any interior images but has confirmed that the A5L will feature market-specific infotainment software.
This new software is likely to be integrated into the familiar three-screen setup, including a 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, and a 10.9-inch screen for the front passenger. The rest of the cabin is expected to mirror the global model, although with additional legroom for rear passengers.
The A5L is the first China-produced model to utilize the new Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture. While Audi has not released detailed specifications, it has confirmed what lies under the hood. The EA888 Evo5 powertrain is the latest iteration of the 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine, featuring a 48V mild-hybrid system.
The Audi A5L will be produced in China as part of a joint venture with FAW. The same applies to the all-electric Audi Q6L E-tron SUV, which is also on display at the Guangzhou Auto Show.
