As the first luxury brand to enter the Chinese market, Audi announced plans for its largest product lineup in history tailored for China. Recently, spy shots of the highly anticipated new A5L appeared online. Under the new naming system, Audi’s future fuel vehicles will use odd-numbered names. Thus, the domestic A5L is essentially a new generation of the A4L. SAIC Audi and FAW Audi will produce the new car together. It is expected to debut this year and launch next year. The spy shots confirm it is the SAIC Audi A5L. Reports indicate it will feature a smart driving solution customized in collaboration with Huawei.
The car’s design took place in Germany. Jakob Hirzel led the project. The spy photos show the SAIC Audi A5L closely resembles the overseas A5. However, it will evolve with Audi’s new design language. The new logo and grille will sport a sporty look. The side air intakes will increase in size. The headlight shape will change, and it may feature programmable lighting patterns. The entire front end will have a sharper appearance.
The new car features a wider and lower body, enhancing its sporty appeal. It showcases a long wheelbase, large wheels, and a low, athletic stance. The Sportback’s streamlined lines stand out from the sedan’s plain design. The multi-segment wave waistline complements the elongated roof curve. Details like the semi-hidden door handles and frameless doors boost its technological feel.
The name confirms the news. The SAIC Audi A5 will be extended after its domestic production. It will be renamed “Audi A5L.” The new model will likely have a wheelbase close to 3 meters. This change aims to provide more spacious seating.
The rear features a continuous taillight. It uses a dual exhaust system, enhancing its sporty feel. The hatchback design remains, showcasing the pure Sportback style of the domestic A5L model. Compared to traditional sedans in the same class, it boasts a more dynamic and youthful design.
The interior underwent comprehensive adjustments, but the spy photos did not reveal them. Based on the overseas model, the SAIC Audi A5L will feature a floating dual-screen setup. It includes an 11.9-inch full LCD instrument panel and a 14.5-inch central control screen. The car also adds a 10.9-inch entertainment screen for the passenger. The dashboard features a new three-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel with touch controls. The gear shift has been replaced with a more compact electronic version, emphasizing a high-tech feel.
The new car uses the high-end PPC E3 1.2 electrical architecture. For smart cabin features, it will include a custom smart driving solution developed in deep collaboration with Huawei. This solution builds on Huawei’s ADS 2.0 architecture and incorporates tuning from Audi. Testing for the overall solution took place in China. With this, the future SAIC Audi A5L will stand out as the competitor with the strongest intelligent driving capability.
The new car originates from Audi’s PPC platform for longitudinal fuel vehicles. Currently, the car has not undergone certification. However, we expect it to align with the overseas A5 model. The overseas A5 features the fifth-generation EA888 Evo 2.0T engine. It will likely offer various power outputs and pair with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Some models will include the quattro all-wheel-drive system. For the chassis, the new car will likely offer two tuning styles. One will focus on sporty driving dynamics, while the other will cater to comfort-oriented users. In summary, the naming system changes and model evolution mark the upcoming debut of the SAIC Audi A5L as a milestone event. With a purer design, a more tech-savvy cabin, and intelligent driving features, it is a new friend that young consumers in China will eagerly anticipate.