Although most global auto markets have cooled off amid the recent economic slump, China is still booming for European luxury brands. Audi was one of the first premium brands to hit the Chinese market back in 2000, and the German automaker is looking to strengthen its foothold in the Chinese market with a long-wheelbase version of its popular A4.
The long-wheelbase A4 will follow Audi’s typical naming scheme, dawning the first A4L nameplate. In order to earn the extra ‘L’, engineers stretched the A4’s wheelbase by 2.36 inches. The A4L will be produced locally at one of Audi’s Chinese plants.
The A4L will come standard with a 180 horsepower 2.0L TSFI powerplant, while a 265 horsepower 3.2L V6 will be optional.
Long-wheelbase sedans – such as the Audi A6L and A8L – are typically used as executive transports, and the A4L will likely be no different.
11/17, 6:43 PM
posted by:
Mr. Piston
Why does China always get the long-wheelbase cars?
11/17, 6:47 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
Piston – it’s to comfortably house their long legs…..
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……or maybe it’s to comfortably house those spiky black leather boot heels that Asian chicks look so hot in.
11/17, 6:53 PM
posted by:
pzimet
2 pictures and neither are a side profile shot? Considering that’s really the only one that matters for this vehicle…
11/17, 7:38 PM
posted by:
A4
wtf is with chinese and long wheelbase vehicles…
and not that i care but why is their 2.0t only 180hp?
11/17, 8:50 PM
posted by:
Rafa LL
Stupid idea IMO
-Checkout those license plates, they really write things in a more complex way. (AUDI A4L / 0000 A4L )
11/17, 9:04 PM
posted by:
elviososa
Small ppl liks bigger car, Fat ppl link smaller car….
Not that I think Chinese are small ppl, but when compare with the fat a** American, Chinese do look smaller. In the U.S., you can see a lot of fat ppl driving a small Miata on the road. How interesting.
11/17, 9:07 PM
posted by:
elviososa
geezzzz…look @ my spelling…huahahahah
11/17, 9:35 PM
posted by:
cocksterS
@ Mr. Piston –
China always gets the long wheelbase cars because, as the article stated, luxury vehicles are typically used for executive transport over there. Think Lincoln Towncar.
11/17, 10:31 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
2.36 inches? That’s not an extension, that’s shrinkage.
11/17, 11:05 PM
posted by:
eff1Fifty
@pzimet…. THATS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS THINKING! what the heck? I wanna see the size difference.
I bet if it was a completely new interior they would only provide exterior shots
11/17, 11:09 PM
posted by:
Bimmer
Johnny, right on! Why bother with such a dismal stretch in the first place? Why not make bigger trunk with drawers, to fit more executives (like Kramer did in Sinfield)?
11/18, 11:37 PM
posted by:
writeeddie
I go there for business quite a bit. The long wheel based / smaller engine cars are popular in China because most luxury cars are “driven” by drivers (not owners.) With all the traffic in the city & even higher gas price, it make sense to leave the driver to drive you around in cars with big & comfy back seat.