Photo: CarPix
Probably one of the weirdest Audi sedans in recent decades has just started road testing in Germany. We say that because the car is clearly based on the swoopy A7 four- (five-?) door coupe, yet it now features a regular trunk opening instead of hatchback.
We have all heard by now about the Chinese market’s propensity for huge rear legroom, with just about every single European car made for the Middle Kingdom having an increased wheelbase compared to their original versions.
Last summer, a report stated that Volkswagen AG and its Chinese partner SAIC Motor are planning to invest over half a billion dollars in upgrading their factories in Shanghai and preparing them for building a new Audi sedan for the local market.
As the attached spy photos show, that new sedan has already started road testing, and it’s probably one of the most peculiar models to wear the four rings badge.
The first half of the car is obviously a slightly revamped Audi A7, but once you go past the front doors, everything is different, starting with the elongated wheelbase and ending with the switch from a fastback design to a regular sedan look.
It will apparently be the first Audi built on the MLB Evo platform to be sold in China, joining other long-wheelbase models like the A4 L, A6 L, A8 L, and even enlarged crossovers like the Q2 L and Q5 L.
The reasoning behind the switch from a fastback design to a regular sedan look might be because the Chinese market is not a fan of hatchbacks one bit unless they come on crossovers and SUVs.
Tentatively named the Audi A7 L, the car will be built in China starting with the first half of 2021. After the Shanghai plants revamp, the SAIC-VW joint-venture is aiming for an annual manufacturing capacity of around 60,000 units of the odd sedan, alongside 60,000 other SUVs wearing the Volkswagen badge.
The car is expected to be powered by a multitude of 2.0-liter TSI engines, with outputs ranging from 190 horsepower to 245 horsepower.
Last summer, a report stated that Volkswagen AG and its Chinese partner SAIC Motor are planning to invest over half a billion dollars in upgrading their factories in Shanghai and preparing them for building a new Audi sedan for the local market.
As the attached spy photos show, that new sedan has already started road testing, and it’s probably one of the most peculiar models to wear the four rings badge.
The first half of the car is obviously a slightly revamped Audi A7, but once you go past the front doors, everything is different, starting with the elongated wheelbase and ending with the switch from a fastback design to a regular sedan look.
It will apparently be the first Audi built on the MLB Evo platform to be sold in China, joining other long-wheelbase models like the A4 L, A6 L, A8 L, and even enlarged crossovers like the Q2 L and Q5 L.
The reasoning behind the switch from a fastback design to a regular sedan look might be because the Chinese market is not a fan of hatchbacks one bit unless they come on crossovers and SUVs.
Tentatively named the Audi A7 L, the car will be built in China starting with the first half of 2021. After the Shanghai plants revamp, the SAIC-VW joint-venture is aiming for an annual manufacturing capacity of around 60,000 units of the odd sedan, alongside 60,000 other SUVs wearing the Volkswagen badge.
The car is expected to be powered by a multitude of 2.0-liter TSI engines, with outputs ranging from 190 horsepower to 245 horsepower.
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