Audi has presented a very special new model in China. The A7 Sportback will be joined by this A7L. The A7L is much more than just an extended A7. Unlike the A7 Sportback, the A7L is a sedan!
As in Europe, Audi has been supplying the current A7 Sportback for several years now. Interestingly enough, Audi is expanding the A7 family in China with a longer version called A7L. That alone is striking, as Audi only supplies sedan versions of models such as the A4 and A6 as a longer L variant. A second aspect of the A7L is even more interesting. The stretched A7 is a sedan and therefore has a tailgate that opens separately from the rear window.
Audi A7L
The Audi A7L is 5.08 meters long, which makes just under 11 centimeters longer than the A7 Sportback that Audi also supplies in the Netherlands. The wheelbase of the A7L is 3.03 meters, which gives the A7L about ten centimeters extra between the front and rear axle. Like the regular A7 Sportback, the A7L is on the MLBevo platform. This A7L will soon be actually produced in China, the A7 Sportback is currently sourcing the Chinese division of Audi from abroad. The A7L in these photos has a very special grille, a busy-looking copy that is made up of a maze of horizontal and vertical stripes. This grille belongs to the special Edition One version of which Audi will build 1,000 copies. Except for the rear, the grille and the bumpers, the A7L hardly differs from the A7 Sportback. Both the headlights and the rear lights are identical. Even the frameless doors survived the switch to the A7L. The interior also does not differ from that of the A7 Sportback.
Audi A7L
The A7L Edition One visible in these photos has a 340 hp and 500 Nm strong blown 3.0 V6 under hood, a mild-hybrid petrol engine. The Audi A7L has been specially developed for the Chinese market and is not coming to Europe. Another striking thing: Audis are currently only sold in China by the joint venture FAW-Audi. This A7L is the result of the partnership that the Volkswagen Group has in China with SAIC. SAIC-Audi is thus the creator of this very remarkable new A7 version.
Should Audi also sell this A7L in Europe in addition to the A7 Sportback, or is this a case of ‘never mind in China’? Let us know in the comments!