[Hawkeye269]

Audi has launched the Q5L, a longer wheelbase version of the Q5 for the Chinese market, at the Beijing Motor Show. This model has a wheelbase and total length that's 88 mm longer than the standard one, which somehow translates into 110 mm of extra legroom for the rear passengers. The boot capacity however remains the same (55 litres with the back seats up, or 1550 litres with them folded down).















The Q5L is the brand's first stretched SUV vehicle (it already has long wheelbase sedans - the A4L, A6L and A8L - that are specific to the Chinese market's demand for models with more space for rear passengers).

Under the hood is the powerful and efficient 2 litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder TFSI engine (a drive system that is a bestseller in the Chinese market) in 190 BHP or 252 BHP versions, which reportedly translate into 0-100 kmph times of 8.6 seconds and 6.7 seconds respectively. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (S tronic) and all-wheel drive (Quattro) are standard. In the Audi drive select, the driver can choose between comfort, auto, dynamic, efficiency and individual driving profiles. Wheel formats range from 18 to 20 inches in diameter.

Buyers of the Audi Q5L can choose between the Vogue, Lifestyle, Design, Sport and Sport plus equipment lines, depending on the engine. These differ in many exterior and interior details. Even the Vogue base model of the Q5L comes with convenient three-zone deluxe automatic air conditioning and the Audi smartphone interface on board. Starting with the Lifestyle model line, the high-end operating system MMI navigation plus and the fully digital Audi virtual cockpit are added. The Design, Sport and Sport plus lines also include the Bang & Olufsen Sound System with 3D sound.

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 (the Audi pre sense basic and Audi pre sense city safety systems come standard on all lines). Additionally, there are assistance packages for the city and for suburban streets. Starting with the Lifestyle line, LED headlights are available as an option with Matrix LED technology. A panoramic glass roof is also standard.

Like the Q5 with a normal wheelbase, the Q5L will be produced by Audi at the Changchun plant in northern China as part of the FAW-VW joint venture. A part of the prefabricated components will come from Audi's plant in San José Chiapa, Mexico. With the new Q5L, Audi is seeking to further expand its strong position in the Chinese SUV market. The first examples will be in Chinese showrooms by this summer.

Car buyers back home in India also traditionally prize vehicles with roomy interiors and are heavily biased towards rear seat comfort because so many of them employ chauffeurs to drive them around. Given the recent success of the new E-Class LWB, is it just a matter of time before automakers start providing more of these China-specific longer wheelbase offerings across their model range in India as well?