On August 1, SAIC Audi officially launched its all-new model, the Audi A5L, offering five trims priced between RMB 279,900 – 399,900, with a limited-time promotional price of RMB 259,900 – 369,900. Deliveries for the flagship and flagship premium trims will begin in November, while the rest are available immediately. Pre-sale orders have already exceeded 9,858 units.
Background & Positioning
The SAIC Audi A5L is the brand’s fourth domestically produced model (after the Q6, Q5L e-tron, and A7L). It is a sister model to the FAW Audi A5L. While the FAW A5L is a three-box sedan, the SAIC A5L takes the form of a Sportback coupe, both serving as localized long-wheelbase versions of the all-new Audi A5 — itself the successor to the current Audi A4. Built on the PPC platform and equipped with the EA888 Evo5 engine, both variants cater to the Chinese market’s demand for more interior space.
Exterior Design
The SAIC Audi A5L Sportback features a sleek coupe silhouette. At the front, it carries a polygonal grille with a black mesh pattern and an illuminated four-ring logo that shines under varying light conditions. Large air intakes emphasize its sporty character. The headlamps feature a new LED signature resembling feathers, adding recognition.
From the side, the A5L retains the classic fastback profile of the A5. The extended wheelbase is visible from above, and the sloping roofline ensures rear passenger space. Dimensions are 4903 × 1883 × 1427 mm, with a 2922 mm wheelbase. Unlike FAW Audi’s A5L, the wheelbase here is slightly shorter. Like its global counterpart, the SAIC version also uses frameless doors.
At the rear, the A5L sports 贯穿式 OLED taillights (second-gen) offering personalized signature light patterns, catering to younger buyers. Depending on trim, the model offers blackened or body-colored accents on the spoiler, door handles, and taillamps. Multiple wheel designs are available.
Interior Design
Inside, the A5L stays true to Audi’s hallmark premium design. The cockpit features an 11.9-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit cluster and a 14.5-inch MMI touchscreen, forming a curved dual-screen setup, paired with a flat-bottom steering wheel. Uniquely, the SAIC Audi A5L Sportback comes standard with a 10.9-inch passenger-side entertainment screen, seamlessly integrated into the dashboard.
The interior carries a strong RS-inspired theme, with black as the base color accented by red stitching and red seatbelts, enhancing sportiness. The steering wheel design is new, and the gear selector has been updated to a compact electronic slider, simplifying the center console layout.
Powertrain
The A5L is powered by the EA888 2.0T engine supplied by SAIC Volkswagen Powertrain Co., producing 200 kW and 400 Nm. High-output trims feature Audi’s quattro AWD, CDC adaptive suspension, and progressive steering, with a 0–100 km/h time of 6.4 seconds.
Market & Competition
As the successor to the A4L, the A5L directly competes with FAW Audi’s A5L. The key distinction lies in body style: SAIC’s is a Sportback coupe, FAW’s a traditional sedan. Beyond internal rivalry, its main competitors are the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and Cadillac CT5.
Sales data show that in H1 2025, Audi A6L sold 84,326 units, Mercedes E-Class 65,892 units, and BMW 5 Series 59,312 units, indicating strong demand in the premium sedan segment.
For SAIC Audi specifically, H1 2025 sales reached 17,450 units: A7L (11,181), Q5 e-tron (2,309), and Q6 (3,960). The new A5L is expected to significantly boost SAIC Audi’s portfolio, but when compared with FAW Audi, analysts believe consumers may still favor FAW Audi due to brand image and production reputation.
