Audi Q5L unveiled before Auto China 2018 debut
Audi has taken the wraps off the Audi Q5L before the car debuts on April 25 at Auto China 2018. The Q5L is Audi's first long wheelbase iteration of an SUV from its line-up and is intended specifically for the Chinese market.
The Q5L is powered by the 2.0-litre TFSI petrol in two states of tune, 190PS and 252PS. This motor is also available on a number of Audi model lines in India, but not in the Q5. The Quattro all-wheel-drive system and the eight-speed automatic is standard. The Q5L can get from zero to 100 kmph in 8.6s or in 6.7s when specified with the more powerful engine.
Compared to the standard Q5, the Q5L's wheelbase and exterior length have increased by 88mm. This has translated into an additional 110mm of knee room in the interior. The volume
of the luggage compartment has remained unchanged at 550/1,550 litres. There are no other changes to the exterior other than this.
Five trim options are available at launch-Vogue, Lifestyle, Design, Sport and Sport plus. The Vogue base model comes with three-zone climate control and Audi's smartphone interface on board. Starting with the Lifestyle model line, the MMI infotainment system with navigation and virtual cockpit are added. The Design, Sport and Sport plus lines also include a Bang Olufsen sound system.
Standard across the range are passive and active safety and driver assist features like airbags, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and so on. A panoramic glass roof is standard and the matrix full-LED lights are optionable from the lifestyle trim onwards.
The Chinese luxury car market, much like in India, is heavily biased towards rear seat comfort. Most buyers employ chauffers and car makers cater to this by offering LWB versions (Audi already offers the A4L, A6L and A8L) of their existing line-up. This is interesting from an Indian perspective given the similarities, and cars like the Q5L could be a viable proposition for India, as has been shown by the Mercedes-Benz E-Class LWB.