All-new A6L combines advanced technology with style

Audi's A6L, which first rolled off FAW-Volkswagen's plant in 1999, is probably the most popular and well-known premium car in China, due to its extended wheelbase.

So far FAW-Volkswagen has delivered nearly 1.9 million A6Ls, accounting for almost one-third of total Audi sales in the country.

The model is expected to wow the market again, with its eighth-generation version launched last week in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, with more pioneering features.

Priced from 417,800 yuan to 666,800 yuan ($61,665 to $98,416), the all-new A6L is available in 12 variants, offering the widest choice in its segment, said FAW-Volkswagen.

Liu Yigong, president of the company, said China's premium market has entered into a new age, as those who grew up in the internet age become the customer base.

"The model is designed for them. As the first C-segment sedan that fits in all possible situations, it is expected to transcend its predecessors and redefine the standards for sedans in the so-called neo-luxury age," said Liu.

From styling, to luxury and technology, the all-new A6L built on the MLB Evo platform has reached a new high, aiming to offer the driver and passengers an even better experience.

Marco Schubert, president of FAW-Volkswagen's Audi sales division, said the model is a versatile car that understands customer needs and fulfills their imagination of a perfect car.

The all-new A6L boasts a premium and sporty design, the first Audi model to adopt the brand's latest styling.

Compared with its last predecessor, it has even larger dimensions: the car body has been elongated to 5,050 millimeters, and the wheelbase has been extended by 12 mm to reach 3,024 mm.

It is the only model in its segment that has the mild hybrid system as standard, which enables the turbocharged engine to have a smoother start and stop.

The segment-leading Topview camera gives a complete view around the car body, making it easier to park. The sedan is also a perfect demonstration of Audi's lighting technology.

Each headlight features individually controllable light-emitting diodes.

Thanks to the new configuration, the HD matrix LED headlights illuminate the road precisely.

The all-new A6L has updated its powertrain as well. The top choice is a 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbocharged engine, which generates a maximum output of 250 kilowatts and the top torque can reach 500 Newton meters－the best in its segment.

The model sports an updated seven-speed S tronic gearbox and the quattro four-wheel drive system.

Based on road conditions, the system can predict which drive is needed in advance and can switch between front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive in 0.2 seconds.

Inside the car, a 12.3-inch digital dashboard, the center console with two touchscreen displays and another touchscreen in the second row, gives the cabin a clean and high-tech feel.

Different from conventional screens, Audi has introduced MMI touch response technology; commands are confirmed with the touch of a fingertip, at which point a tiny speaker will emit a clicking sound.

With handwriting recognition technology, the screens allow the driver to write in different languages including English and Chinese. The model also features the largest number of driving assistance functions in its segment.