Despite the current global crisis, China remains a growth market for the European premium brands. And Audi was one of the first to go into China with top-version European premium models such as the A6L which it introduced there back in 2000.
The new A4L will be a locally produced product for the Chinese market. Apparently, these spacious sedans are in demand in China, often used as transport for executives or as company vehicles for higher-ranking managers.
The Chinese-made A4L has a chassis specifically designed for road conditions in China and rear seating provides lots of leg room for this 4.76 metre long vehicle. The A4L's wheelbase is a full 6 cm longer than the standard A4.
The A4L will come with VW/Audi's 2.0 litre TFSI engine tuned to a 180bhp output, as well as the 3.2 litre V6 FSI with 265bhp.
Press Release:
Audi presents long-wheelbase A4 for the Chinese market
First long-wheelbase version in China's premium B segment
Marketing and Sales Board Member Schwarzenbauer: "We will export the success of the new Audi A4 to China"
Market launch in January 2009
Audi is the first premium brand to introduce a prestigious long-wheelbase version in the upper mid-size category exclusively for the Chinese market: the Audi A4L's wheelbase is 60 millimeters (2.36 inches) longer, which benefits rear-seat passengers in particular. The A4L thus offers unrivalled spaciousness in its segment.
Manufactured at the plant in Changchun, China, the new Audi A4L made its debut yesterday in Beijing. Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management for Marketing and Sales at AUDI AG, and the President of the FAW-VW joint venture, An Tiecheng, emphasized the importance of the new Audi A4L for the Chinese market.
Schwarzenbauer said: "The long-wheelbase version of the Audi A4 is being produced exclusively in China for the Chinese market. With this premium product, we chose to go even further than elsewhere in the world to meet the requirements of our Chinese customers."
Since its worldwide market launch last year, over 200,000 units of the Audi A4 have been sold. It was recently voted "Most Beautiful Car of the Year" by readers of Auto Bild, a German automotive magazine, and thus overall winner of the Auto Bild Design Award 2008".
"Our goal is to export the success of the new Audi A4 to China. With the customized Chinese A4L, which we subjected to rigorous testing in China, we are impressively demonstrating our market leadership in China's premium segment," added Schwarzenbauer.
With the A4L, Audi has created an automobile which outdoes the competition in terms of driving comfort, luxury, spaciousness, and design. The chassis was tailored to Chinese road conditions to provide exceptional suspension comfort. The wheelbase - 60 millimeters (2.36 inches) longer than the A4 sedan's wheelbase - makes the A4L a unique vehicle. The longer wheelbase lends the A4L an especially roomy feel and makes getting into the rear seats even easier. In addition, the longer wheelbase is of particular benefit to rear-seat passengers, who can enjoy legroom unparalleled in this vehicle segment. Thanks to the increase in length and high-quality technology, the A4L injects full-size class into the mid-size category.
For the time being, two engine versions will be available for the Audi A4L in the Chinese market: the 2.0 TFSI with 132 kW (180bhp) and the six-cylinder 3.2 FSI with 195 kW (265bhp). Audi has been offering a long-wheelbase version of the A6 in China since 2000. Now in its second generation, it provides better driving comfort, spaciousness, and design than the competition. Drivers and passengers of the 4.76 metre (15.62 feet) long A4L will enjoy similar advantages as it can be enjoyed as both a driver's car and a chauffeured luxury sedan.
The Audi A4L, which will be rolled out starting at the Guangzhou Motor Show yesterday (18/11/08), will be at Chinese dealerships as of January 2009.
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