- Audi’s new A5L sedan is replacing the A4L in China.
- The A5L features a stretched wheelbase, a longer rear overhang, and illuminated emblems.
- The Chinese-spec sedan is fitted with a mild-hybrid turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.
The domestic launch of Audi’s new AUDI sub-brand (all caps) might be hogging the spotlight at the 2024 Guangzhou Auto Show, but the marque hasn’t forgotten about its bread-and-butter lineup. Enter the China-exclusive A5L, a stretched-wheelbase version of the A5, complete with a regular sedan boot and a clear intent to fill the void left by the A4L.
Globally, the Audi A5 is offered in the familiar five-door liftback (formerly known as the Sportback but now marketed as a Sedan in Europe) and Avant body styles. In China, however, the A5L charts a different course. It stands as the only true four-door variant of the A5 and, in effect, steps in to replace the long-wheelbase A4L.
More: New Audi A5 Replaces A4 With Sleeker Looks
With a total length of 4,902 mm (193 inches) and a stretched wheelbase of 2,965 mm (116.7 inches), the A5L grows 73 mm (2.9 inches) longer than its standard sibling. Of that, 65 mm (2.6 inches) is allocated between the axles, a deliberate tweak aimed squarely at rear-passenger comfort—a Chinese-market hallmark.
Predictably, the A5L looks much sleeker and sportier compared to its A4 predecessor, thanks to the sculpted fenders and the aggressive details. While it shares the same styling language as the standard A5, the A5L distinguishes itself with noticeably longer rear doors and a more pronounced tail, fully abandoning any nods to the liftback silhouette.
As for lighting, the A5L retains the Matrix LED headlights and digital OLED taillights of the global A5 but spices things up with a front grille LED strip and illuminated four-ring emblems at both ends.
Audi has yet to release any interior photos, but has confirmed that the A5L will come equipped with market-specific infotainment software. It’s likely that this new software will be integrated into the familiar triple-screen setup, which includes an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, and a 10.9-inch display for the front passenger.
The rest of the cabin is expected to be carried over from the global model, albeit with more legroom for the rear passengers.
The A5L is the first Chinese offering riding on the new Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture. Audi has yet to announce the detailed specs, but confirmed what’s under the hood. The EA888 Evo5 powertrain is the latest evolution of the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder units, featuring a 48V mild-hybrid system.
The Audi A5L will be manufactured in China as part of the joint venture with FAW. The same applies to the fully electric Audi Q6L E-tron SUV that was also exhibited at the Guangzhou Auto Show.
