Audi intros long-wheelbase A4L for China

Click above for more high-res pics of the Audi A4L

Audi has just introduced a long-wheelbase version of its new A4 for the Chinese market, joining the long-wheelbase A6 that has been available in China since 2000. While many automakers have recognized the Chinese desire to have a little extra length, this is the first time a vehicle in this size class has been elongated. Labeled as a premium B segment car in China, the Audi A4L's wheelbase is 2.36 inches longer than the standard A4, most of which gets added to rear-seat legroom. The A4L will be built in Changchun, China and will feature a chassis specially designed to handle the sometimes-rough Chinese road conditions. Engine options will be the 180-hp 2.0 TFSI four-cylinder and the 265-hp 3.2 FSI six-cylinder. The Audi A4L will debut at the Guangzhou Motor Show on November 18, and should be in Chinese dealerships by January 2009. Full press release after the jump.Gallery: 2009 Audi A4L[Source: Audi]PRESS RELEASEAudi 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 (180 hp) and the six-cylinder 3.2 FSI with 195 kW (265 hp).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 meter (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 on November 18, will be at Chinese dealerships as of January 2009.