Audi Launches Chinese-Exclusive Long-Wheelbase A6L

Through its first year of production the latest A6 has been well received by the public, and has brought home several

It is expected that the optional adaptive air suspension will be one of the more common orders on the A6L. (Photo: Audi Canada)

trophies for Audi's corporate mantelpiece. This past February, the A6 was awarded "World Car of the Year" at the Canadian International Auto Show, and it has also achieved the prestigious "Auto1" award, and the status of "Best Car of 2005" in Germany. Also, according to the design-frenzied Italians, it is the "World's Most Beautiful Large Saloon". The announcement of the 'L' variant takes the A6's merits of an artistic, well-crafted, all-weather luxury sedan and adds additional comfort, spaciousness and an air of sophistication.

Mechanically, Chinese-built A6s are identical to their German-built counterparts, but there are a handful of modifications made to suit the car's local markets. To provide comfort on the less-than-perfect Chinese highways as well as the country's unpaved rural roadways, special attention has been paid to the springs, dampers and bushings. It's expected that the optional adaptive air suspension will be one of the more

To increase the already expansive rear legroom, the A6's wheelbase has been elongated by 100 mm (3.9 inches) for a total length of 2,943 mm (115.9 inches). (Photo: Audi Canada)

common orders on the A6L which surpasses the competition for ride quality and comfort without sacrificing body control.

The major difference between the A6 and the A6L, as you might have guessed, is its longer wheelbase. To increase the already expansive rear legroom, the A6's wheelbase has been elongated by 100 mm (3.9 inches) for a total length of 2,943 mm (115.9 inches). The additional length puts the A6L within millimetres of the A8's wheelbase and makes it the most spacious vehicle in its class. It's probably the only vehicle this side of a Rolls Royce Phantom that 7'6"-tall basketball star Yao Ming could stretch out in.