Daily News Capsule

For years, luxury carmakers have been producing models specifically for the Chinese market, with long-wheelbase variants of their standard models being one of the most common categories. The Audi A7 is the new model to receive the stretched treatment, but it’s more than just a longer wheelbase.

• Although the Audi A7 is a sporty four-door coupe on the outside, the Audi A7L has a fully redesigned rear portion in addition to a longer wheelbase than the standard car.
• With the exception of different bumper and grille detailing, the nose is almost identical to the A7 Sportback.

The differences become evident from the B-pillar onwards, as the Audi A7L ditches the Sportback’s coupe silhouette in favor of a more traditional three-box design. When viewed from the back, the A7L and the A7 Sportback have very similar tail lamp treatments, but the A7L looks entirely different from the A7 Sportback.

• The ‘L’ prefix signifies a longer wheelbase, and the Audi A7L has been extended by 98mm between the axles, with a strong emphasis on increasing rear-seat space.
• The A7L is 5,076mm long, while the Audi A7 Sportback is 4,969mm long. The dashboard is identical to that of the Sportback on the inside. Those in the back seats, unsurprisingly, have more legroom.

Images of the Audi A7L show the 55 TFSI model, which has a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 petrol engine that produces 340bhp and 500Nm of peak torque. It comes with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, and while the A7 Sportback 55 TFSI can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds, expect the A7L’s weight to negatively affect this figure.

• The A7L is equipped with air suspension, rear-wheel steering, and Quattro four-wheel drive, according to Audi.
• Only the Chinese market will be covered by the Audi A7L. The Audi RS7 Sportback, a high-performance variant of the current generation A7, is the only version sold in India.
• Long-wheelbase models designed initially for China have been introduced to the Indian market before.

Both the Mercedes-Benz E-Class LWB and the BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine were designed for the Chinese market but were later converted to right-hand drive for India.

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