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Audi Adds Inches Where It Counts For China’s Luxury Market

  • Audi has introduced the new A5L, A5L Sportback, Q5L, and A6L e-tron at the Shanghai Auto Show.
  • The long-wheelbase models are up to 5.2 inches longer than their traditional counterparts.
  • The extra room enables the A6L e-tron to have a bigger battery that delivers 478 miles of range.

Everybody loves legroom, but Chinese customers demand it. As a result, automakers offer an assortment of long-wheelbase models in the country. Audi is no exception and they’ve taken the wraps off four new models at the Shanghai Auto Show. They include the A5L, A5L Sportback, Q5L, and A6L e-tron.

Audi A5L

The A5L comes from FAW Audi and it’s 3 inches (77 mm) longer than the standard model. The company didn’t go into many specifics, but said the car offers “far more interior space” as well as a more comfortable rear seat that has thicker padding as well as 28 degrees of recline. Customers will also find an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.5-inch infotainment system, and a standard 10.9-inch front passenger display.

Audi was coy on powertrain details, but said we can expect “ultra-modern combustion engines with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology.” They also noted the car rides on the Premium Platform Combustion and promises to provide “superior performance and high efficiency.”

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Audi A5L Sportback

The A5L Sportback is built by SAIC Audi and measures 193 inches (4,903 mm) long. It appears to be largely identical to the A5L, but the company noted it has a nine-zone intelligent panoramic sunroof that can change from clear to opaque in a matter of milliseconds.

It’s joined by a 20-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, 12-way power massaging front seats, and an ambient lighting system. The liftback also provides up to 48 cubic feet (1,361 liters) of cargo space.

Power is provided by a hybridized 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 268 hp (200 kW / 272 PS) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque. It’s paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and a standard all-wheel drive system, which enables the model to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 6.4 seconds.

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Audi A6L e-tron

The A6L e-tron comes from FAW Audi and features a wheelbase that has been stretched 5.2 inches (132 mm). This promises the “maximum of comfort and space, especially for the second row of seats.” Customers will also find an assortment of familiar displays as well as an intelligent panoramic sunroof.

The extended wheelbase allowed for the installation of a larger 107 kWh battery pack, which delivers up to 478 miles (770 km) of range. When the battery is low, a 270 kW fast charger can take it from 10-80% in around 20 minutes. Audi didn’t mention performance specs, but the car has an adaptive air suspension and a dual motor all-wheel drive system.

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Audi Q5L

Last but not least is the Q5L. It’s 4.9 inches (125 mm) longer than the traditional crossover and this “significantly” increases interior space.

The company also said we can expect a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology that delivers on the “promise made by the dynamic and powerful silhouette.”

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Audi Will Keep Combustion Engines Alive Beyond 2032

  • Audi has abandoned plans of ending ICE production and going EV-only in 2032.
  • In fact, it will launch a new generation of ICE and PHEV models alongside EVs.
  • The German brand is currently “in the process of rejuvenating their entire model range”.

It’s becoming increasingly clear that the automotive industry’s “electric only” dream is a work in progress. Audi, the latest brand to rethink its approach to a purely EV future, has announced that it will keep offering combustion engine models for longer than initially planned, as the market isn’t quite ready for a world of only battery-powered vehicles just yet.

More: Audi Slashing Thousands Of Jobs In Germany

During Audi’s Annual Media Conference for 2025, CEO Gernot Döllner had this to say: “As part of our product initiative, we are not only launching new electric models, but also a new generation of combustion engine vehicles and plug-in hybrids. We will manage the production of our last combustion engine vehicles depending on various developments in world markets.”

New Plans, Same Old Combustion Engines

Audi had previously said that the next-generation Q7 would be its last combustion engine model, coinciding with the end of ICE development in 2026. The plan was to keep these vehicles on the market until around 2032, at which point Audi would go fully electric. But now, Döllner has thrown a wrench into that timeline.

Following the example of competitors like BMW, Mercedes, and Volvo, Audi will delay its shift to a purely electric lineup. This move makes sense, especially when you consider that Porsche is still planning to churn out ICE models well into the 2030s.

 Audi Will Keep Combustion Engines Alive Beyond 2032

PHEVs Are Here to Stay, For Now

At the same conference, Döllner also teased upcoming model launches for 2025: “We are in the process of rejuvenating our entire model range, and by the end of the year we will have the youngest portfolio in our market segments.”

Döllner confirmed that the new generation of the Q3 will arrive this summer, following the recent launch of the new A6 in Avant form. He also announced that a plug-in hybrid version of the A5 will debut on March 25 as one of the 10 new PHEVs set to be introduced this year. He described PHEVs as “a central part of our portfolio as we move towards an all-electric range,” suggesting that Audi will place greater emphasis on these types of powertrains.

More: Audi Wants To Climb The Luxury Ladder Without Stepping On Bentley’s Toes

In North America, Audi will launch 10 new models by the end of 2025 and is “currently assessing various scenarios for additional localization” as a way of dealing with the US administration’s new tariffs. As for the Chinese market, it has “further intensified” its product strategy with FAW and SAIC, hoping to “participate in the growth of the electric car market” as its execs believe they are already a “strong player in the combustion engine business”.

Of course, Audi isn’t delusional about the challenges ahead. CFO Jürgen Rittersberger described 2025 as a “very challenging year” for the brand, citing the “tense geopolitical and economic situation” of 2024. Still, he believes in the prospects of their renewed portfolio, as new models are now “successively reaching the markets”.

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New Audi A6 e-tron Outshines BMW i5 And Mercedes EQE With Lower Pricing

  • All Audi A6 Sportback e-tron models share the same 100kWh battery pack.
  • The base model delivers 375 hp, while the flagship S6 version comes with 543 hp.
  • The longest-range A6 e-tron can travel 392 miles on a single charge.

It’s been almost eight months since the 2025 Audi A6 e-tron was unveiled in Europe, and now we get to find out the range and pricing details for the US market. Going head-to-head with the BMW i5 and Mercedes-Benz EQE, the new A6 e-tron will be sold exclusively in Sportback guise, meaning the Avant version will remain forbidden fruit.

Sitting at the base of the range is the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron, starting from $65,900 for the Premium trim level, excluding a $1,295 destination and delivery fee. The base model is also available in Premium Plus ($69,800), and Prestige ($72,200) guises. Upgrades enjoyed by the Premium Plus and Prestige models include LED headlights with digital DRLs and interior ambient lighting. The Prestige also adds eight different light signatures and adaptive air suspension.

Read: 5 Things You Need To Know About The New Audi A6 Avant

Driving the base version is a 100 kWh (94.4 kWh net) battery driving a single electric motor at the rear with 375 hp. The cheapest i5 in the US is the eDrive40 model, punching out 335 hp and starting at $67,100. The Mercedes-Benz EQE is substantially pricier, starting at $74,900 for the EQE 350+ Sedan with just 288 hp.

The A6 Sportback e-tron range also includes the standard Quattro model. This model has the same battery pack, but features two electric motors, combining to pump out 456 hp. Prices start at $67,900 for the Premium, $71,800 for the Premium Plus, and $74,200 for the Prestige. The closest comparable i5 is the xDrive40, but it makes do with only 389 hp and starts at $70,100. Prices for the EQE 500 4Matic with its 402 hp start at $85,900.

ModelPremiumPremium PlusPrestige
2025 A6 Sportback e-tron (375 hp)$65,900$69,800$72,200
2025 A6 Sportback e-tron quattro (456 hp)$67,900$71,800$74,200
2025 S6 Sportback e-tron (543 hp)$78,700$82,200$84,600
SWIPE

Sitting at the top of the range is the Audi S6 Sportback e-tron. It delivers an impressive 543 hp and is available from $78,700 for the Premium, $82,200 for the Premium Plus, and $84,600 for the Prestige. All S6 versions come with sport adaptive air suspension and Prestige models include digital OLED taillights not found elsewhere in the range.

The base A6 Sportback e-tron has a quoted range of 392 miles (631 km) while the Quattro version with its added performance offers 377 miles (607 km) of range when fitted with the ultra package, which includes 19-inch wheels and all-season tires. The S6 Sportback e-tron has a quoted range of 324 miles (521 km). All models have an 800-volt system and support charging speeds of up to 270 kW, meaning the battery can be topped up from 10-80% in 21 minutes.

 New Audi A6 e-tron Outshines BMW i5 And Mercedes EQE With Lower Pricing
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