China likes long luxury cars. Just look at the success of Audi’s A6L, which first went on sale in 2000 and sold in record numbers. Now that the stretched A6 reaches its second generation, Audi looks to increase the “L” offering by announcing a new, long-wheelbase variant of the new A4.
The A4L, as it will be called, has a wheelbase 2.4-inches longer than the standard A4. At 112.9-inches long, the A4L will be 4.2-inches longer than a 3 Series sedan but 0.8-inches shorter than a 5 Series. An actual increase of interior space was not supplied, but, for comparison, when the BMW 750 swelled 5-inches for the 750L, rear legroom grew 6.2-inches. After extending the chassis, Audi tuned the suspension specifically for Chinese roads. Everything else carries over, including the available 180-hp 2.0-liter I-4 or the 265-horse 3.2-liter V-6.Chinese consumers can expect the Audi A4L at dealers in January 2009.
