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June 19, 2025 (Shanghai) — SAIC-Audi unveiled the next-gen A5L Sportback, combining traditional Audi combustion engineering with Huawei’s smart cockpit technology. Priced from USD $54,000 (RMB 380,000), the sedan features China-first tech integrations while maintaining German quality benchmarks.
KEY FACTS
German-Chinese Tech Fusion
• World’s first ICE vehicle to incorporate Huawei Qiankun intelligent driving solution and Made-In-Shanghai
• Fifth-gen EA888 2.0T engine (180kW/370Nm) paired with quattro all-wheel-drive
• New E3 1.2 electronic architecture enables OTA updates for driver-assist systems
Luxury Redefined
• Signature frameless doors with upgraded NVH materials (30% quieter than predecessor)
• 22-way adjustable front seats with heating/ventilation/massage (B&O 20-speaker 810W audio optional)
• 0.59 wheelbase-length ratio preserves coupe styling while offering 50mm rear legroom increase
Extreme Validation
• 71 crash test scenarios (beyond Euro NCAP standards)
• 3M km durability testing across -40°C to 50°C environments
• Brake system validated through 220M lab cycles and 60K km winter trials
The A5L Sportback exemplifies how legacy automakers can retain mechanical excellence while adopting localized tech partnerships. SAIC-Audi’s strategy mirrors China’s auto evolution – rather than disrupting traditions, it augments them. The Huawei-Audi collaboration suggests a new paradigm: premium ICE vehicles may sustain relevance through selective electrification of interfaces, not just powertrains.
Source: Saic-Audi
Editor’s note
The PPC – Premium Platform Combustion platform symbolizes Audi’s conviction that premium combustion vehicles still have a decade of relevance if they evolve intelligently. With German validation rigor intact, this model could set a template for China’s next export wave: tech-infused traditional luxury.
