L extended edition： Chinese evolution

If China consumers have any preference for cars, then the length of the car body and the rear space are definitely one of the most important basic needs.

Looking at the sales of Audi A4L and A6L, many people can understand that the rapid expansion of Audi in China depends not only on the brand, but also on the "length". Even BMW, which has always had a high demand for sportiness, has wisely made a special extended model for the China market. Japanese brands, which have never been involved in "L", have also made compromises in front of the China market.

In this issue, we will recommend 7 mid-to high-end models for consumers who prefer extended models.

    FAW Audi A6L

Price: 383,000 yuan 742,600 yuan

Wheelbase: 67mm longer

With its measurements of 5035mm*1855mm*1485mm and long wheelbase, A6L provides a very spacious driving environment-perhaps this is the charm of "L".

Audi A6L is still dominated by light-colored interiors and offers a variety of color schemes to choose from. As for the layout of the interior, from the four-position multi-function steering wheel, to the double-ring standard instrument panel with white characters on black background and full-size driving computer screen, to the square and concise center console, Audi A6L still persists in the unique style of the Audi family.

In terms of power, the 2011 Audi A6L 3.0L is equipped with a 3.0L TFSI supercharged engine, which adopts all-aluminum body, supercharge, direct injection in cylinder and many other technologies, with a maximum power of 213kW and a peak torque of 420 N m/25004850 rpm. Paired with it is the Mulititronic 7-speed automatic manual CVT gearbox, which can bring a smooth driving experience.

    2011 Mercedes E300L

Price: 438,000 yuan and 751,000 yuan

Wheelbase: 140mm longer　　

Mercedes-Benz should be the first luxury brand known to China people, and the E-Class Mercedes-Benz, which has entered the China market for many years, has not been exempted from customs after other competitors have introduced L-versions with "China characteristics", adding an L to the original tail, which, in a sense, is basically equivalent to being printed with "Made in China".

E300L adds all the extended 140mm to the wheelbase, which makes the wheelbase of E300L exceed 3m, reaching 3014mm, creating a huge business space.

E300L is equipped with a rear entertainment system. Through standard wireless headphones, rear passengers can enjoy their favorite entertainment programs without interference. At the same time, it can also be directly connected with MP3, mobile hard disk/USB flash drive, ipod, etc., which is convenient for drivers and passengers to enjoy various audio and video files with their own personalized electronic devices.

In terms of power, Mercedes-Benz E300L is equipped with a 3.0-liter V6 engine, with a maximum power of 180kW and a peak torque of 300 N m/25,005,000 rpm. It is matched with a seven-speed automatic manual transmission, and strives to pursue the design concept of improving efficiency, environmental protection and energy saving without compromising power performance and driving pleasure.

    2011 BMW 535Li

Price: 489,600 yuan and 791,600 yuan.

Wheelbase: 140mm longer

BMW’s new 5 Series has a wheelbase of 3108mm, which is 140mm longer than the imported standard 5 Series. The extended wheelbase of the new generation BMW 5 Series Li is still the principle of back row priority, and the extended 14 cm is all given to the back row, which makes the legroom in the back row very abundant.

The new 5-series extended wheelbase version adds a storage armrest box, and there is a small refrigerator on the high-profile models. At the same time, the rear door guard of the passenger seat has been redesigned, and the rear row is also equipped with buttons for adjusting the front seat, reading lights with adjustable angles, cosmetic mirrors, electric sunshade, etc. These are all newly added configurations for the China version.

In terms of power, the new generation BMW 5 Series will not only replace the domestic current 525Li and 530Li models with the 523Li and 528Li that will continue to introduce 2.5L and 3.0L six-cylinder naturally aspirated engines, but also introduce the first domestic 535Li model equipped with a 3.0L twin-vortex single-turbocharged high-precision direct fuel injection engine, and apply a fully variable valve management system with an engine output of 225kW. All the new BMW 5 Series models are equipped with a brand-new 8-speed automatic gearbox, in which the high-equipped 535Li can automatically select comfortable, normal and sports modes through the toggle switch on the center console.

    Volvo S80L

Price: 368,000 yuan 658,600 yuan

Wheelbase: 140mm longer

The length, width and height of Volvo S80L are 4991mm, 1861mm and 1490mm respectively, and the wheelbase has reached 2976 mm-this is designed considering the unique taste of China market (the wheelbase of S80L has been extended by 14mm).

The brand-new S80L is equipped with advanced perforated leather seats, solid wood steering wheel, solid wood inlaid leather shift handle, headphone jack in the rear seat, BLIS blind spot information system, active bi-xenon headlights and so on.

Volvo S80L has added T4 version 2.0, equipped with a brand-new high-efficiency power combination 2.0 GTDi in-cylinder direct injection turbocharged engine and Powershift powershift. Other models of the same class with the same price are mostly manual transmissions. GTDi engine adopts in-cylinder direct injection turbocharging technology, which has the characteristics of small displacement, high power, large torque and low fuel consumption. Powershift powershift is one of the world’s leading transmissions, which can shift gears quickly and smoothly, reduce fuel consumption and provide excellent driving pleasure and comfort for drivers and passengers.

    Volkswagen Tiguan

Price: 199,800 yuan and 309,800 yuan.

Wheelbase: 100mm longer

The body length, width and height of the overseas version of Tiguan are 4400mm, 1850mm and 1690mm respectively, which are very close to Touran on the same platform. The body length of the domestic version of Tiguan is increased by 100mm, reaching 4500mm, so as to expand its trunk space and rear row space.

Different from the previous SUV’s pursuit of a huge and rough appearance, Tiguan’s rigorous and concise lines naturally shape a solid and strong body, demonstrating the internal strength of an urban SUV. The brand-new lateral expansion model better explains the atmosphere and rationality that an urban SUV should have. The horizontal lateral air intake grille makes the whole car look atmospheric and steady, and the highlighted black grille frame makes the car exude a strong and connotative beauty all the time.

In terms of power, Tiguan adopts audi ag’s latest TSI engine, among which 2.0TSI engine is far ahead in power and torque even compared with 2.5 or 2.7 naturally aspirated engines, and it is the only engine that can achieve ultimate torque within 2000 rpm at present; 1.8TSI engine can continuously output the ultimate torque of 250N·M from 1500 rpm to 4500 rpm, giving full play to its powerful power. The TSI engine is equipped with Tiptronic 6-speed automatic manual transmission from Porsche technology, which can cope with all kinds of special road conditions freely and achieve extraordinary power and off-road performance.

    Faw Toyota new crown

Price: 328,500 yuan and 899,600 yuan

Wheelbase: 140mm longer

The length, width and height of the new crown body are increased to 4870mm, 1795mm and 1,470 mm respectively, which is 140 mm longer than the wheelbase of the old models and makes the interior space more spacious.

The shape design of the new crown is calm and atmospheric, the chrome-plated air intake grille and smart headlights look fashionable and beautiful, and the body lines smoothly outline its luxurious overall shape. The interior has different choices of solid wood and imitation solid wood according to the different needs of the owner. The four-spoke multi-function steering wheel integrates buttons such as constant speed cruise and shift paddles for easy use. The center console is simple to operate but powerful. The driving system of the new Crown is also very rich, and the intelligent parking system and G-BOOK intelligent copilot make it easier to drive.

In terms of power, the new Crown 2.5L and 3.0L models both use V6 engine, while the 4.3L model uses V8 engine. This engine layout is very helpful to the ride comfort of the vehicle, and it is also the standard configuration of luxury cars in the traditional sense.

    British finidi M series long wheelbase version

Price: 498,000 yuan and 818,000 yuan

Wheelbase: increased by 150mm

The appearance of the M25 extended edition of England and finidi is basically the same as that of the ordinary edition. The front face is designed in a family style, the middle of the machine cover is slightly raised, and the two ends are in an upward posture. The blade-shaped air intake grille and the headlights in front of the eagle eyes are very sharp.

The biggest change of M25L is the wheelbase and length of the car body. Compared with the previous standard version, the wheelbase is increased by 150mm, reaching 3050mm, and all the increased space is used in the rear seat space. In terms of interior, the cockpit design is consistent with the ordinary version, the stepped center console is more varied, and the dark interior composed of leather and mahogany is calm and elegant. The layout also continues the arc design style, and the eco-friendly cockpit gives people a sense of driving safety.

In terms of power, the M25 extended version is still equipped with a 2.5L naturally aspirated engine code-named VQ25HR, and the 7-speed automatic manual transmission serving it is very smooth, while taking care of vehicle economy.

    FAW-Volkswagen Xinmaiteng

Price: 199,800 yuan 334,800 yuan.

Wheelbase: 100mm longer

Magotan, a specially developed extended wheelbase model for China market, has a wheelbase of about 100mm, reaching 2809mm. The lengthened interior space, especially the longitudinal space in the rear row, has more advantages, and the effective interior seating space reaches 1897 mm. In particular, the head space in the rear row reaches 961mm, while the knee space is 57mm longer than the previous generation, which makes the driver and passenger have more comfortable and spacious interior space.

In the comfortable configuration, the steering wheel is wrapped in leather, which greatly improves the feel during driving, and the newly added IMD mahogany decoration makes the steering wheel more textured. In terms of improving driving comfort, Magotan 2012 is equipped with an intelligent driving assistance system, which makes driving an intelligent and comfortable experience. The system includes ACC adaptive active cruise, Park Assist intelligent parking assist system, Rear Assist rear-view imaging system, OPS simulated visual front and rear parking system, etc. These configurations bring drivers a relaxed and comfortable driving experience.

December 2012 issue of Consumer Guide