All-new Audi A6L’s exterior, interior, technology crafted to match preferences of China market
Over the past three decades, German carmaker Audi and its partner FAW have introduced Chinese drivers to a large number of compelling models, the most successful of which has undoubtedly been the A6L.
That model, which rolled off FAW-Volkswagen’s production line in 1999 and has since been the benchmark C-segment sedan in China, has provided one of the most splendid chapters of the car manufacturers’ partnership. It might even go down as one of the most historic developments in China’s premium car market, given its groundbreaking extended wheelbase for local customers.
Soon, the long-hailed model is expected to wow the market again. The eighth-generation version of the A6L hits the market in January, with many new features based on the brand’s understanding of Chinese customers, acquired over three decades of experience, and FAWVolkswagen’s outstanding ability to quickly meet the demands of local customers.
“As the brand that best understands Chinese customers, we offer the all-new A6L to meet their demands for intelligent and premium experiences in different situations,” said Jing Qingchun, executive vice-president of FAW-Volkswagen’s Audi sales division.
He said Chinese customers’ demands about the exterior, interior and functions were taken into consideration from the pre-development stage, and competitive, localized development and production are helping the carmaker to save time and gain a head start in the market.
“The model is expected to transcend its predecessors and redefine the standard for premium mid-sized sedans,” he said. In recent years, A6L sales in China have totaled 1.86 million, almost one-third of Audi’s total sales in the country.
From styling to luxury and technology, the all-new A6L built on the MLB Evo platform has reached a new high, almost enabling the model to emulate Audi’s flagship sedan A8 in terms of design and functionality, according to the carmaker.
Compared with its last predecessor, the all-new A6L has even larger dimensions: The car body has been elongated 14 mm to 5,050 mm, widened 12 mm to 1,886 mm, the widest in the segment, and heightened 9 mm to 1,475 mm.
Its wheelbase has been extended by 12 mm to reach 3,024 mm, even longer than that of the standard A8. Inside the car, more legroom and headroom are offered to deliver a more comfortable ride.
The all-new A6L, available in nine colors, boasts a premium and sporty design, which has evolved from that of the A8L, the first Audi model to adopt the brand’s latest family language.
Among other things, the beautifully proportioned car body, as well as the harmonious dimensions, attenuates the brand’s progressive DNA. A wider and lower grille has a more distinctive outline, and the muscular wheel arches hint at its sportiness.
The sedan is also a perfect demonstration of Audi’s lighting technology and dynamics, and one example is the optional high-definition matrix LED headlights.
Each headlight integrates 32 small, individually controllable light-emitting diodes. Thanks to the new configuration and to a low beam that is also variable, the HD matrix LED headlights illuminate the road particularly dynamically and precisely.
The all-new A6L has also seen an upgrade in its powertrain. Instead of the 1.8-liter engine found in previous generation models, the new entry-level powertrain is a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum output of 140 kW and a top torque of 350 Nm.
Another option is a 2-liter turbocharged engine with different tuning that delivers a maximum output of 165 kW, and offers better performance in acceleration.
The top powertrain choice is a 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbocharged engine, which is also found in the A8L. It generates a maximum output of 250 kW and the top torque can reach 500 Nm, the best in its segment.
The model sports an updated seven-speed S tronic gearbox, which takes merely 0.2 second for gearshifting. The quattro ultra fourwheel drive system detects up to 150 signals 100 times a second.
Based on the results and its advanced algorithms, the system can predict which drive is needed 0.5 seconds in advance, and can switch between the front-wheel drive and the four-wheel drive in 0.2 seconds.
The quattro ultra system also improves the model’s fuel economy by 0.3 liters per 100 km compared with the standard quattro.
Inside the car, a 12.3-inch digital dashboard, the center console with two touchscreen displays, and another touchscreen in the second row give the cabin a clean and hightech feel.
Different from conventional touchscreens, Audi has introduced MMI touch response technology; commands are confirmed with the touch of a fingertip, at which point a tiny speaker will emit a clicking sound. With handwriting recognition technology, the screens allow the driver to write an address into the navigation system in different languages including English and Chinese.
The model also features the largest number of driving assistance functions in its segment, offering enhanced safety in driving and parking for the driver, passengers and other road users.