Today, we take a deep dive into China’s obsession with long-wheelbase variants of existing cars. Get some beer and chips because this will be a long (L) story. To be clear, his story is about LWB versions of existing cars developed for the Chinese car market. It is impossible to include every L car, for example, Audi has made 3 generations of the A6 L. So I have tried to limit myself to the most important vehicles. It is not about other China-only cars that happen to have a long wheelbase too and happen to have an L in their name, like the Audi A7L or the Ford Edge L. Chinese manufacturers sometimes use L-naming for luxury variants of cars, without any changes to the wheelbase. These cars are excluded from this article as well.
The obsession
The main reason for China’s obsession with long-wheelbase cars is money: LWB cars offer a lot of space for cash. Let’s take Audi as an example. Audi makes the A6 sedan in China, but the A8 is imported, and thus way more expensive. But the A6L offers almost as much space and luxury as an A8, for a relatively decent price. Status is important too, but less so today than in the early 2000s when China’s car market started to boom. At that time, yet small Chinese automakers began to develop L-versions of their super basic economy cars, to piggyback on the status of L-cars made by the joint ventures.
Nowadays, almost every large sedan in China has a long wheelbase, so the status thing isn’t as important anymore. An often-heard reason for L-cars is that “everybody in China has a chauffeur”. This is not correct. Most L-cars are bought by families, and driven by the owners. Some wealthy extended families may employ a chauffeur, but they usually ride in high-end MPVs. The only exception is the government, where high-ranking officials may have a chauffeur. This was especially so in the mid-2000s when the archetypical government car was a black long-wheelbase Audi A6. Other popular government cars around that time were the Beijing Jeep Cherokee XJ (standard and long wheelbase) and the Volkswagen Passat (standard wheelbase only).
Numbers to clarify the point:
Take Audi as an example. The price of the 2024 FAW-Audi A6L starts at 303.800 yuan ($42K). It has a 3024-millimeter wheelbase. The imported Audi A8L starts at 639.700 yuan ($90K) and it has a 3128-millimeter wheelbase. So by buying the A6L, a Chinese consumer saves $48K, and the wheelbase difference is only 104 millimeters. Audi does not sell the standard wheelbase A8 in China, and for a reason, because its 2998 mm wheelbase is shorter than the Audi A6L’s!
Audi A6: 2924 (not available in China).
Audi A6L: 3024.
Audi A8: 2998 (not available in China).
Audi A8L: 3128.
Most car makers only make LWB versions in China, but some make both. BMW, for example, makes both the regular 3-Series and the 3-Series L in China. Today, Chinese brands no longer make specific long-wheelbase cars based on existing cars. With the ascendance of electric vehicles, wheelbases have grown anyway. A normal mid-size EV sedan easily has a 3000 mm wheelbase these days. The joint ventures, however, still make a lot of old-fashioned gasoline-powered vehicles, so they continue to need LWBs.
My obsession
I am completely obsessed with long-wheelbase cars. They are fascinating because they are only for China. Sure, some have been exported elsewhere but the L cars were developed for the Chinese market. I have been checking and spotting L-cars since the mid-2000s. I have models and brochures and a database with a million photos. I have driven and I have been driven in many long-wheelbase cars in China. When you sit in the back of one, then you wonder why every sedan doesn’t have a long wheelbase, everywhere in the world. The extra space makes for so much extra comfort. Stretching your legs, having a nap. As I have noted before, Chinese consumers are a lucky bunch. They can choose between more brands than in any other country, between more power trains, between more body styles, and they can have an L.
Chinese Brands
Chery Fengyun SQR7160 EL
Chery is a Chinese car brand, founded in 1997 and based in Anhui Province. Its first car was the Chery Fengyun, a sedan based on the Seat Toledo. In 2001, Chery launched the Fengyun SQR7160 EL, a long-wheelbase variant of the Fengyun. The photo shows proud Chery workers in the factory, celebrating the 100.000st Chery sedan, which was an EL, of course.
Photo by Erik Van Ingen Schenau, the master of Chinese car history who happens to be an expert on everything concerning Seat in China.
It was extended by 20 centimeters (7.9 inches) around the B-pillar, so it had a real limousine look. The Fengyun looked quite sporty, with side skirts and multispoke wheels. Chery decided to keep all that for the extended-wheelbase version, which meant the company had to develop extended side skirts.
Photos by Sam Faulkner, a fellow Chinese car history fanatic who happens to be an expert on long-wheelbase Chery’s.
The Chery Fengyun SQR7160 EL was powered by a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with 87 hp, and the top speed was 100 mph. The motor was mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.
Size comparison:
Standard: 4393/1682/1224, 2468.
Long wheelbase: 4521/1682/1424, 2648.
A limousine for the masses. The Fengyun SQR7160 EL was luxurious for the segment, with faux leather seats and electric windows. There is loads of legroom and lots of headroom.
I saw this one at a car market, covered in Beijing dust. It had all the original badges and a pair of shoes on the boot lid.
A factory photo with blue lines over the bumper and doors and five-spoke wheels.
The standard wheelbase Fengyun remained in production until 2006, and it was updated and facelifted many times. Chery also developed an update for the long-wheelbase version, with a classy new front with a shiny grille. It also had gray panels on the doors and a sunroof.
Hongqi CA7220L
The Hongqi CA7220L and its many brothers and sisters were long-wheelbase variants of a Hongqi sedan that was itself based on an Audi 100. Hongqi, as Chinese car makers are wont to do, made a trillion different long-wheelbase versions, each extended differently with different names and different engines. Discussing them all would be way too much for this article, which will be a tad too long in any way. Happily, I have already penned a story with every-ever Audi-based long-wheelbase Hongqi sedan. The car in the photos is a CA7220L with a 250-millimeter (98-inch) extension in the middle. The wheelbase is 2919 millimeters.
Tianjin Xiali TJ7101L hatchback
Xiali was one of the Chinese car makers who wanted to capitalize on the status of joint-venture L-cars. It created a long-wheelbase version of the Xiali TJ7101 sedan, a super basic budget car launched in 1999. The Xiali was manufactured by Tianjin FAW Xiali Automobile, a subsidiary of First Auto Works (FAW). In 1983 the company signed a deal with Daihatsu for licensed local production of the Daihatsu Charade sedan and hatchback in China. This became the Tianjin Xiali. Production in China started in 1986 and it soon became the most popular taxicab. Folks simply called it “Xiali”. As always, the Chinese created dozens of new variants with all sorts of engines. The TJ7101 model was manufactured from 1999 until 2003. The long-wheelbase TJ7101L was only manufactured in 2000 and 2001.
The L was extended in the middle at the B-pillar. The extension was 8 centimeters (3.15 inch). That may not seem like a lot but the Xiali TJ7101 was a small car.
TJ7101: 3680/1615/1385, 2340.
TJ7101L: 3760/1615/1385, 2420.
In China, everyone can have a limousine! Power came from a 3-cylinder gasoline engine with 52 hp and 57 ft-lbs, mated to a four-speed manual gearbox.
A brilliant old badge.
A gold-colored car is in front of a crushed-down area. This was in Dongba District in Beijing in 2017, just outside the eastern section of the Fifth Ring Road. At the time, the area was transformed from small-villages-small-industry to modernity. You can see the new apartment buildings in the background and one surviving house on the left. I lived nearby and the transformation was fascinating to watch. Earlier, I lived in the center of Beijing. A lot of construction there too, but never a complete transformation like in the suburbs.
Tianjin Xiali TJ7101L sedan
Xiali also made a long-wheelbase variant of the sedan version. The car in the photos is a newer model, with an updated front. License plates are from Hebei Province.
The sedan had the same 3.15-inch extension in the middle.
These long-wheelbase Xiali’s were aimed at the private market, for families. There was never a taxi version of the LWB variant.
Factory photo of a red car.
Joint Ventures
The Chinese-foreign joint ventures sell way more long-wheelbase cars than the Chinese brands. I have tried to include as many as I can, but in China, an exhaustive list does not exist. Never! Just when you think you got everything of something a dozen others pop up. I have discussed this before, see my earlier articles, and anyway, there should be some limit. The order is alphabetical by joint venture name because the LWB cars were mostly developed in China by the joint ventures, as opposed to by the foreign brand in a foreign land. That also means that the IP for the LWB cars is usually owned by the joint venture, and not by the owner-companies. Let’s get started with… Acura!
GAC Honda Acura TLX-L
Acura started making cars in China in 2016, under the GAC-Honda joint venture. GAC-Honda was born in 1998, making Honda-branded cars like the Honda Accord, the Honda Odyssey, and the Honda Fit Saloon. In the early 2010s when China’s car market was growing like crazy, Japanese premium brands considered making cars in China too. Lexus never did, it had a “Made in Japan” marketing strategy, but Acura and Infiniti did eventually start making cars locally. Acura has produced 3 cars in China: the China-only Acura CDX crossover, the Acura RDX SUV, and the Acura TLX-L.
The Acura TLX-L, a name that rolls off the tongue like a noodle, is based on the Acura TLX sedan. The TLX-L was launched on the Chinese car market in 2018. It was positioned as a luxury sedan with a tad of sportiness. It had a low front lip, multispoke wheels, and a small spoiler on the boot lid. The wheelbase was extended by 12.4 centimeters (4.9 inches), a serious extension. Size comparison:
TLX: 4870/1854/1447, 2776.
TLX-L: 4981/1845/1447, 2900.
A serious extension makes for very serious legroom. The interior looks quite serious too, with a lot of gray and dark gray and more gray. The Acura TLX-L was available with only one engine: a 2.4 liter four with 208 hp and 182 ft-lbs. Power went to the front wheels via an 8-speed DCT.
Note the PAWS badge. That was a big thing at Acura at the time. It means “Precision All-Wheel Steer”, a system with rear-wheel steering on a front-wheel drive car. Sadly, even PAWS couldn’t help the TLX-L. It didn’t find many buyers as it was too expensive and the brand was too unknown. Production was canceled in 2019, so it is a pretty rare car. Sales of the Acura brand had always been slow and went down to only 6554 cars in 2021. In early 2023 the Acura brand withdrew from the Chinese market entirely.
FAW-Volkswagen Audi A6 (C5)
Audi is by far the most famous L-car maker among foreign brands. Audi makes long-wheelbase variants of almost any car, sedan or SUV, big or small. The first long-wheelbase Audi in China was the second-generation Audi A6 (C5). It also was the first German China-specific LWB sedan. At the time, it wasn’t called ‘L’. It was called A6. The normal-wheelbase A6 wasn’t available in China, and it was neither locally made nor imported.
The longer wheelbase looks great on the A6. The proportions are even better than on the standard car. The wheelbase was extended by 9 centimeters (3.54 inches). Size comparison:
C5 Audi A6: 4805/1810/1479, 2760.
C5 Audi A6 LWB: 4886/1810/1475, 2850.
Nine centimeters makes for a lot of extra legroom. These old Audi’s were marketed as luxury sedans and always fitted with soft leather and wood trim. The car in the photos is powered by the 2.4 liter V6, mated to a 5-speed automatic gearbox. Output was 125 kW and 170 ft-lbs.
The Audi A6 was made in China by the FAW-Volkswagen joint venture, based in the northeastern city of Changchun. Production began in 2003 and ended in 2006. It was a very popular car among local governments, always in black, with darkened windows. These government cars were chauffeured. It was also a common choice for state-owned companies to ferry the high management around. In the early days, private sales were tiny in comparison. It is a strong car because even today many are still around. I saw this silver one in the summer of 2024, and it was in great shape. Parts are still available everywhere and these older cars are easy to work on, so every repair shop can do basic maintenance.
FAW-Volkswagen Audi A6 (C6, pre-facelift)
The C6 Audi A6L was made in China from 2006 until 2012, with a facelift in 2009. It was available with various power trains. The photos show the rare 4.2-liter V8 variant.
The wheelbase of the C6 Audi A6L was extended by 10.2 centimeters.
C6 Audi A6: 4927/1855/1459, 2843.
C6 Audi A6L: 5012/1855/1485, 2945.
Like with the Cadillac, the V8 engine was imported from Germany. All the other engines of the China-made A6L were made locally. Output is 335 hp and 420 Nm, which made it one of the most powerful engines in a China-made car at the time.
Top speed was limited to 250 km/h and 0-100 took only 6.5 seconds. The motor was mated to a six-speed AMT, sending horses to all four wheels.
FAW-Volkswagen Audi A6 (C6, facelift)
This is the C6 Audi A6 facelift, launched in 2009.
The photo shows a special 1:18 model, a commemorative edition of the C6 facelift Audi A6L celebrating that Audi hit one million sales in China in 2010. The model is part of my collection.
FAW-Volkswagen Audi A6L (C8)
This is the current Audi A6L, seen at an Audi dealer. It is still based on the aging C8 Audi A6 sedan, which debuted in 2018. The A6L version has been updated several times over the years, but it still looks somewhat old-fashioned. The wheelbase is extended by 10 centimeters (3.93 inches), which isn’t a lot for a car of this size.
A sea of gray with a lot of legroom. The current A6L is available with 2.0 turbo and 3.0 turbo engines.
Audi A4 L
The first long-wheelbase Audi A4 arrived in 2009, based on the third-generation Audi A4 sedan (B6). It was the first China-specific long-wheelbase German compact sedan. The longer wheelbase doesn’t look so good on the smaller A4, the proportions seem a little off. The wheelbase was extended by 6.1 centimeters. Size comparison:
B6 Audi A4: 4703/1826/1427, 2808.
B6 Audi A4 L: 4763/1826/1426, 2869.
Even the A4 L came with beige leather although it wasn’t as nice as in the A6. The A4 L was mainly bought by private buyers and it was a popular family car.
The B6 A4L was available with a 2.0-turbo and FWD and a hot 3.2 V6 with AWD, but the latter was expensive because the engine was imported from Germany. The top-spec 2.0 turbo sold for 360.000 yuan whereas the base 3.2 AWD cost 538.880 yuan. Most consumers went for the 2.0 turbo so the 3.2 V6 is rare.
FAW-VW Audi A3L
The A4 L is not the smallest long-wheelbase Audi sedan in China. There is a smaller one: the Audi A3 L, based on the fourth-generation Audi A3 sedan (8Y). Audi also made the third-generation Audi A3 sedan in China but that one had the same wheelbase as elsewhere in the world. The Audi A3 L is thus a relatively new long-wheelbase car, it debuted in 2021. The wheelbase was extended by a meager 4.4 centimeters (1.7 inches). Size comparison:
A3 sedan: 4495/1816/1425, 2636.
A3 L: 4548/1814/1429, 2680.
The Audi A3 L is available with only one engine: a “35 TFSI” 1.5 turbo with 150 hp. This old and rather underpowered motor is still widely used in many cars made by the Volkswagen Group in China.
Since the 2010s, Audi cars have had gray interiors. Gray with gray and gray and more gray. That was okay back then but not today. Oddly, it seems that Audi hasn’t noticed that Chinese tastes have long since changed. Check any car of any Chinese brand. The interiors are light with light colors, like light brown and white. Not dark! There is one Audi exception, the mighty:
Audi A8L 60 TFSI Horch
The Audi A8L Horch is a long-wheelbase variant of the Audi A8L, which is a long-wheelbase variant of the Audi A8. The Horch name harks back to an old German brand, one of the predecessors companies that would eventually form Audi. The A8L Horch is made in Germany but specially developed for China. It launched in 2021 to compete with the popular Mercedes-Maybach models in the Chinese luxury car market. Size comparison:
Audi A8L: 5320/1945/1488, 3128.
Audi A8L Horch: 5450/1945/1486, 3258.
Power comes from a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine + 48V with an output of 460 hp and 487 ft-lbs. The machine costs 2.07 million yuan ($291K). See my earlier article for many more photos of the Horch.
FAW-VW Audi Q5L
Audi also does long-wheelbase SUVs. The most common one is the Audi Q5L, based on the Q5 SUV (FY). The car in the photos is a fresh-from-the-factory S-Line Quattro model, seen at an abandoned Audi dealership in east Beijing in 2018. The wheelbase is extended by 8.8 centimeters (3.46 inches). Size comparison:
Audi Q5: 4682/1893/1662, 2820.
Audi Q5L (2018): 4753/1893/1659, 2908.
More space than you’ll ever need in a compact SUV.
FAW-Audi Q5L Sportback
Amazingly, Audi also makes a long-wheelbase variant of the Q5L Sportback, which doesn’t seem an L-kind of car. But Audi does long-wheelbase everything.
FAW-VW Audi Q2L
The Audi Q2L is one of the weirder LWB cars, as it is based on the tiny Audi Q2 subcompact crossover. The car in the photos is a sporty 35 TFSI S-Line. The wheelbase is extended by an entirely huge 2.7 centimeters (1.06 inch).
Q2: 4208/1794/1537, 2601.
Q2L: 4270/1785/1547, 2628.
The Audi Q2L has the same motor as the A3L under the hood but with 10 horses more.
Beijing-Jeep Super Cherokee
The Super Cherokee was a China-only variant of the Cherokee XJ. The XJ was made in China by the Beijing-Jeep joint venture in trillions of variants. I owned an RWD City Special with the 2.5-liter four-pot under the hood. That one had the standard wheelbase. But the Super Cherokee had a longer wheelbase and a raised roof. The wheelbase was extended by 10.2 centimeters (4 inches). The roof was raised over the second row and the rear compartment. Interestingly, that made the Super Cherokee’s roof higher by… 4 inches, the same number as with the extra wheelbase!
Beijing-Jeep Super Cherokee XJ: 4342/1790/1760, 2678.
Jeep Cherokee XJ: 2576/1791/1626, 2576.
That is a lot of extra space for the legs and for the head. I saw this one on my favorite car market in the far east of Beijing, with dozens of small repair shops.
The long-wheelbase high-roof Super Cherokee was manufactured in many versions and trim levels, powered by various engines. Nothing is more complicated than the Beijing-Jeep Cherokee XJ lineup, maybe I will write a book about it one day. The car in the photos is a BJ2021A6L, powered by the big 4.0 six-in-line mated to a 4-speed automatic with 4×4.
The beautiful BJC logo, for Beijing Jeep Corporation.
Factory photos of the BJ2021A6L, with the high roof and roof rails.
The owner took the fog lights off. Many owners liked the XJ better without the fog lights. Very early China-made XJ’s had only one fog light, on the right side of the bumper.
Another one, with fog lights and Tianjin license plates.
Beijing-Benz A-Class L
The Beijing-Benz joint venture was founded in 2009 on the ashes of the Beijing Benz-Daimler Chrysler Automotive, which was a continuation of the good old Beijing-Jeep Corporation (BJC), the company that made the Cherokee XJ. This naming mess dates back to when Daimler wanted to be a worldwide operating car maker, it owned Chrysler and had a controlling interest in Mitsubishi. The historic order of things:
Beijing Jeep Corporation (BJC): founded in 1985. Brands: Beijing, Jeep, Mitsubishi.
Beijing Benz-Daimler Chrysler: founded in 2004. Brands: Chrysler, Jeep, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi.
Beijing-Benz: founded in 2009. Brand: Mercedes-Benz.
Don’t we love Mickey Mouse seat covers? They look great on MB’s leather seats. The A-Class L is a long-wheelbase variant of the A-Class sedan (V177), the wheelbase is extended by 6 centimeters (2 inches). The designation of the LWB version is Z177.
Characters: 北京奔驰, Beijing Benchi, Beijing-Benz. The car in the photos is the top-spec A35 L AMG model, powered by a 2.0 turbo with 306 hp and 400 Nm. The motor is mated to a 7-speed DCT. It does 0-100 in 4.9 seconds, 0.2 seconds slower than the standard-wheelbase A35 AMG. You win some you lose some, I guess.
Beijing-Benz Mercedes C-Class L (V205 – based on W205)
Mercedes-Benz uses the ‘V’ designation for its W LWB cars in China. The V205 is the long-wheelbase variant of the W205 sedan. Easy to remember. Well, it was extended by 8 centimeters (3.15 inches). The extension was difficult because of the creases on the rear doors, these had to be extended as well. This was the first extended-wheelbase C-Class, it was launched in China in 2015.
The car in the photos is a C200 L, powered by a 2.0 turbo with 184 hp. Size comparison:
C200: 4686/1810/1442, 2840.
C200 L: 4783/1810/1442, 2920.
Beijing-Benz Mercedes C-Class L (V206 – based on W206)
This is today’s C-Class L, the V206 which is based on the W206. It looks super classy in this Zircon Quartz Red color with shiny trim around the windows.
The V206 has a wuzzy ornament on the C-pillar. The car in the photos is a C350 eL PHEV, powered by a 2.0 turbo + one electric motor, output is 308 hp and 324 ft-lbs.
This is the C260 L, with a 1.5 turbo + 48V power train. The license plate is from Hebei, the province surrounding the Beijing Municipality.
The space in the rear compartment is huge. The owner added fancy pillows and floor mats.
The wheelbase of the V206 is extended by 8.5 centimeters (3.3 inches).
W206: 4751/1820/1438, 2865.
V206: 4882/1820/1450, 2950.
I have a 1:43 model of the V206 in my collection, it is almost the same car as the real one in the photos. It is a C260 L too, with sporty five-spoke wheels and perforated brake discs!
Beijing-Benz E-Class L (V212)
The E-Class L looks great in a matte pink wrap. The V212 was the long-wheelbase version of the W212. It was the first LWB E-Class, launched in China in 2010 to compete with the Audi A6 L.
The extension is clearly visible, just check the long long roofline from the B-pillar to the rear, and the enormous rear doors. The wheelbase was extended by 14 centimeters (5.5 inches). Length went over five meters:
W212: 4868/1855/1470, 2874.
V212: 5012/1855/1464, 3014.
The V212 was a popular car among embassies. I worked in the embassy district in Beijing at the time as these things were everywhere, mostly in black or dark blue, with flag poles on the front fenders.
The black car in the photos is an E 260 L, and under the hood is a 1.8 turbo with 201 hp and 258 ft-lbs.
Beijing-Benz E-Class L (V213)
This was an easy spot, I used to live in the building on the left. The parking lot was always loaded with cool cars, including my own. This is the V213, based on the W213 sedan. Mercedes put a lot of work into this one. The entire C-pillar was re-designed, with an extra side window. But the advantage was that the rear doors could remain unchanged. This white car belonged to one of my neighbors, he worked for a state-owned electronics company, and one of their clients was Beijing-Benz.
This generation E-Class L had the same decoration on the C-pillar as the W216 C-Class L.
The interior was beautiful. This car has classy dark brown leather. And look at that legroom! The owner added fancy seat cushions. The car in the photos is the E300 L, powered by a 2.0 turbo with 245 hp and 273 ft-lb.
Another E300 L.
Beijing-Benz GLC-Class L (X254, facelift)
A GLC-L on a new road. When they build a new district, they make the roads first. Sometimes it takes a few years before the construction of apartment complexes starts. During that time, these empty roads are often used as free parking lots, and those are a goldmine for me, checking out cars without any guards around. The construction areas are fenced off already, on each side of the road, and the old buildings were flattened. But not much was happening.
The GLC-L was launched in China in 2018, and it was the first long-wheelbase SUV by Mercedes-Benz. It was extended by 10 centimeters (3.9 inches) to create a vast space in the rear compartment.
A nice dashboard ornament with the Chinese and the communist flags. This kind of ornament is not so common anymore these days like they were back in the 20000s. Sometimes, ornaments double as air fresheners, but this one is just an ornament. There is another Chinese flag on the sticky mat underneath. Love your country, drive a Mercedes.
Brilliance-BMW 3 Li (F35)
BMWs are made in China by the Brilliance-BMW joint venture, founded in 2003 in the cold northeastern city of Shenyang. Brilliance was also the owner of the Jinbei brand, which once had a troubled joint venture with General Motors. The car in the photos has a shiny pink wrap and darkened windows. The F35 is the long-wheelbase variant of the F30 3-Series. The F35 was launched in China in 2013, it was the first long-wheelbase BMW 3-Series sedan.
Characters: 华晨宝马, Huachen Baoma, or Brilliance-BMW.
The wheelbase was extended by 11 centimeters (4.3 inches). It has an extra bit of chrome trim on the C-pillar, more subtle than what Mercedes did. The 320 Li model was powered by a 2.0 turbo with 184 hp and 199 ft-lbs. Pink wraps have been super popular in China since the mid-2000s. Chinese brands have noticed that, and many offer pink as a factory color nowadays. Not a wrap, but real pink paint. Foreign brands do not offer pink, another sign they have lost touch.
Brilliance-BMW 3 Li (G28)
The G28 is the long-wheelbase variant of the G20. The G28 3Li was launched in China in 2020. The chrome strip on the C-pillar was gone. The wheelbase was extended by 11 centimeters (4.3 inches), which is a lot compared to the overall size of the 3-Series. The car in the photos is a red 325 Li, which was powered by a 2.0 turbo with 184 hp and 221 ft-lbs.
Nice beige leather and, of course, after-market floor mats.
Brilliance-BMW i3 L (G28 BEV, based on G28, based on G20)
The BMW i3 is extra interesting. It has a long-wheelbase car and it is a China-only full-electric car. It was launched in 2022 and it is based on the G28, which in turn is based on the G20. Complexity is cool. The extension works really well here, the proportions are near-perfect.
Red leather seats!
The wheelbase of the G28 BEV/G28 is extended by 11 centimeters (4.3 inches). The car in the photos is the i3 eDrive35L powered by a single rear electric motor with an output of 282 hp and 295 ft-lb. Electricity is stored in a 70 kWh battery for a 327-mile range.
Sadly, the BMW i3 has not been a great success for BMW. This is mainly due to the high price. The list price of the iDrive35L is 353.900 yuan ($50K) and for that money, consumers can get two Chinese-brand EVs with more range and more space. Last year, BMW famously lowered the pricing of the to just 209.800 yuan ($29.5K), but without much success.
It was widely expected that the i3 would be killed off, but surprisingly, BMW recently unveiled an updated variant for 2025.
Brilliance-BMW 5 Li (E60)
Bangle time! The long-wheelbase version of the E60 was simply called E60 LWB, it didn’t have a separate designation. It was the first long-wheelbase BMW 5-Series, launched in China in 2006. At the time, it wasn’t too popular. Folks didn’t like the looks and the Audi A6L was better known. So these long Bangle Fives are a rare sight on the road. The wheelbase was increased by 14 centimeters (5.5 inches). Size comparison:
F60: 4843/1850/1470, 2890.
F60 LWB: 4983/1846/1477, 3030.
The interior was luxurious with loads of leather and wood trim. It also had a panel on the back of the center tunnel where the passengers could control the air conditioning and the audio. This particular car has beige leather, which looks very classy. The owner added ugly blue pillows and floor mats. Every car owner has floor mats. I can’t recall seeing many if any, cars in China without floormats. Most dealers sell floor mats, car repair shops sell mats, supermarkets do, and the Internet. Floor mats are everywhere! But strangely, floor mats are mostly ignored.
It has a wind deflector at the front window. The E60 looks almost unassuming, perhaps the boring brown color is to blame. The 525 Li model had a juicy 2.5 liter inline six under the hood, with an output of 218 hp and 184 ft-lbs. It was a fast limo, with a 150 mph top speed.
Factory photo, showing a silver 530 Li. An unassuming color again, but what a beauty this BMW was. It looks great in LWB form too, with perfect proportions. If you didn’t know you wouldn’t say it was longer.
Brilliance-BMW 5 Li (F18)
The BMW 5-Series F18 was the long-wheelbase variant of the BMW F10. It launched in China in 2011. I saw this one at a car inspection center in east Beijing, near the Buick dealer that I visited earlier. It is a 525 Li with a shiny gold wrap and extra dark windows. The wrapper didn’t wrap the chromed window frames. Gold and chrome don’t match normally, but here it kind of works.
Jesus approves long-wheelbase cars.
Another 525 Li in standard white. The proportions are great, the extension is almost invisible. The wheelbase of the F28 was extended by 14 centimeters (5.5 inches) to well over 3 meters.
F20: 5039/1860/1471, 3108.
F28: 4899/1860/1460, 2968.
Almost as new this interior is. Quite rare to see an interior so well-preserved, especially without seat covers and floor mats.
Brilliance-BMW 5 Li (G38)
And on to the next one. The BMW G38 was the long-wheelbase variant of the G30, it debuted in China in 2018. The car in the photos is a 530 Li M. The proportions are not as good as on the G28, it looks a bit off, and the trunk is too short in relation to the cabin.
But BMW did add more luxury. Check that cabin! Soft beige leather and a limo-like armrest. The neck pillows are factory standard. The floor mats are not. The 530 Li model had a 2.0 turbo under the hood with 252 hp and 258 ft-lb. The wheelbase was extended by 13 centimeters (5.1 inches).
Brilliance-BMW 5 Li (G68)
The new one! Design is not to everybody’s taste, but that has always been a BMW thing. The G68 is the long-wheelbase variant of the G60. It was launched in China in 2023 and I haven’t seen many on the road yet. The car in the photos is a 530 Li, painted in Rock Gray, yet another unassuming color. Happily, if you want something more flashy, BMW can help you.
Nice brown leather seats and loads of legroom again. The wheelbase is extended by 11 centimeters (4.3 inches). Size comparison:
G60: 5060/1900/1515, 2995.
G68: 5175/1900/1520, 3105.
BMW offers an optional 31.3-inch screen for the 5 Li in China. BMW is ahead of the competition in that respect, although it means that buyers have to give up the panoramic sunroof.
That overhang alone is large enough to bridge the gap between the 5 and the 7-series. The 530 Li model is powered by a 2.0 turbo + 48V with an output of 258 hp and 228 ft-lbs. It costs 365.900 yuan or $52K.
BMW also sells a long-wheelbase variant of the full-electric i5. The top-spec model is the Drive 40L M Sport with fancy gold-colored trim.
Brilliance-BMW X5 Li (G18 based on G05).
Big SUVs have to be bigger! The X5 Li’s wheelbase is extended by 13 centimeters (5.1 inches). The X5 Li was launched in 2022. It is available with 2.0 turbo and 3.0 turbo L6 engines. The base price is 645.000 yuan ($90K) and that is expensive so these big Bimmers are a rare sight on the road.
Brilliance-BMW X1 Li
Like Audi, BMW extends everything. This is the U12, based on the U11. It is the third-generation BMW X1 and the second-generation BMW X1 Li. The car in the photos is an xDrive 25 Li, with a shiny grille that Chinese car buyers generally appreciate. The wheelbase is extended by 11 centimeters (4.3 inches).
This interior has the same color scheme as the X5 Li above.
The xDrive 25 Li model has a 2.0 turbo under the hood, producing 204 hp and 221 ft-lb. It costs 349.900 yuan, or $49K.
Brilliance-BMW X3 Li
Just when I was finally ready with BMW the Germans announced a new long-wheelbase machine: The BWM X3 Li, the first long-wheelbase variant of the X3. The wheelbase is extended by 11 centimeters again (4.3 inches). The proportions are so-so, it looks a tad strange around the C-pillar.
BMW already makes the standard-wheelbase X3 in China, which will continue alongside the new X3 Li.
Changan-Volvo S80L
The Changan-Volvo joint venture was born when Ford still owned Volvo. It started as Changan-Ford-Mazda Automobile (CFMA) in 2001, and Volvo joined in 2006. The first China-made Volvo was the standard-wheelbase second-generation S40 sedan. The second Volvo was the S80L, a long-wheelbase version of the second-generation Volvo S80 sedan. It was launched in the Chinese auto market in 2009.
The interior was much more luxurious compared to the standard S80, with beige leather seats and comfortable factory floor mats. No need for after-market mats in the S80L! The armrest area between the front seats was redesigned for the L. It had an extension with an extra storage bin and a control panel for the air conditioning and the audio. There was a refrigerator too, located in the rear seat backrest of the middle back seat.
The top-spec variants had a rear-seat entertainment system that played DVDs.
The wheelbase of the Volvo S80L was extended by 14 centimeters (5.5 inches). Compare:
S80: 4854/1861/1490, 2835.
S80L: 4991/1861/1490, 2975.
The S80L was available with a 2.5 turbo L5 or a 3.0 turbo V6 + all-wheel drive. The car in the photos is a 2.5 turbo. The output was 200 hp and 221 ft-lbs. The five-pot is way more common than the V6, as it was much cheaper. The base 2.5 sold for 398.000 yuan and the base V6 for 608.000 yuan.
Changan-Volvo S80 L facelift
The S80L received a facelift in 2014, with a new grille, new bumpers, new alloy wheels, and an updated interior. The engine lineup was expanded with a new 2.0 turbo four.
Production of the Volvo S80L ended when the joint venture expired in 2015, five years after Geely bought Volvo Cars from Ford. So for five years, Changan’s partner was Geely, a Chinese-Chinese joint venture making Swedish sedans! The eventual replacement for the S80L arrived in 2017, see below.
Chery-JLR Jaguar XE L
Chery-JLR is a joint venture between Chery Automobile and Jaguar Land Rover, established in 2011. It is a remarkable joint venture as it doesn’t sell a single EV, and the design of its cars seems frozen in 2017. The Jaguar XE L is the long-wheelbase variant of the Jaguar XE sedan. The XE is/was an old car. It was launched in 2015 and production finally ended earlier this year. However, the long-wheelbase XE L debuted in 2019 and it is still in production today. You can buy one and drive it straight into a museum. Folks will take photos.
It has a cool XE L sticker on the C-pillar. The wheelbase is extended by 10 centimeters (3.9 inches).
XE: 4672/1850/1416. 2935.
XE L: 4778/1850/1429, 2935.
The exhaust pipe tips are super small. The white car in the pictures is a P200, powered by a 2.0 turbo with 200 hp and 236 ft-lbs. It costs 299.800 yuan or $42K.
The XE L is available with a p#rn red interior, which looks quite brilliant.
When launched in 2018, the XEL was celebrity endorsed by William Chan with an odd “Love Is XEL” campaign. The photos showed a blue XEL and Chan with a fresh haircut and with his signature. William Chan (陈伟霆) is a famous Hong Kong singer, dancer, actor, and fashion brand owner. This kind of combination is common among celebrities in Asia. In Chinese, this is called an “all-round entertainer” (全能艺人). Chan wasn’t loyal for long to good old Jaguar. In 2021 he and his fashion company endorsed a China-only Maserati.
Chery-JLR Jaguar XF L
The Jaguar XF L is the long-wheelbase variant of the Jaguar XG sedan, which is not a small car. I saw this dark blue example in front of an apartment building under construction. The site was fenced off with a green fence. That is a thing in China. I remember seeing a public park under maintenance, fenced off with a high fence showing photos of trees. The XF is an oldie too, it debuted in 2015, just like the XE, and production ended earlier this year, just like with the XE. The Jaguar XF L was launched in China in 2017 and it is still in production as well. Go to China, and buy old Jags.
A red interior again, with a yellow stuffed duck, black pillows, and after-market floor mats.
The wheelbase of the XF L is extended by 14 centimeters (5.5 inches), a common extension number in China. The length of the XF L went way over five meters. Let’s compare:
XF: 4969/1880/1457, 2960.
XF L: 5130/1880/1491, 5130.
Chery-JLR Range Rover Evoque L
Chery-JLR also makes several Land Rover models, but the Evoque L is the only one with an extended wheelbase. Production of the L model started in 2021, so it is relatively new. It is based on the second-generation Evoque SUV. The car in the photos is a P250 model painted in Belvia Green with black alloy wheels. The extension works well, and the proportions are great, better than on the standard-wheelbase car.
It has cool L badges on the rear doors.
The wheelbase of the Evoque L is extended by 16 centimeters (6.3 inches), which is a lot for a car of this size.
Dongfeng-Nissan Infiniti Q50L
The Infiniti Q50 L was manufactured in China by the Dongfeng-Nissan joint venture. This company was founded in 2003 and initially only made Nissans. In 2014 it also started to make cars under the Infiniti brand and the Q50 L was the first China-made Infiniti car. The Q50 L was based on the first-generation Infiniti Q50 sedan (V37). The wheelbase was extended by only 4.8 centimeters (1.9 inches). It has a 2.0T badge on the front fender for the 2.0 turbocharged engine, good for 211 horses and 258 ft-lbs.
The extra legroom is not too impressive.
Q50: 4785/1825/1445, 2850.
Q50L: 4876/1823, 1456, 2898.
Badge on the left side: 东风英菲尼迪, Dongfeng Infiniti.
Over the years Infiniti made only minor updates and sales were slow, much slower than the German L-cars. Production ended earlier this year, but there is still a lot of unsold stock at the dealer with huge discounts. For example, the top-spec Luxury Sport version had a list price of 389.800 yuan ($54.8K) but can be had right now for 233.900 yuan (32.9K).
Infiniti Q70 L
The Infiniti Q70 L is an interesting one. It was based on the Nissan Ciima, not on the standard-wheelbase Q70. It was also imported into China instead of locally made. The problem with that was, of course, the high price, and the Q70 L didn’t sell well. Initially, it was intended only for the Chinese market. Later on, Infiniti also exported the Q70 L to other markets, including the United States.
The wheelbase was 15 centimeters (inch) longer than the standard Q50, but it was the same as in the Ciima. So is this a real L car? Yes and no, I guess. Probably more no. The Q70 L debuted in China in 2013. The engine options in China were a 3.5 V6 hybrid, a 2.5 V6, and a 2.0 turbo.
The Q70L carried a lot of shine!
Citroen Fukang 988 EM
The Citroen Fukang 988 EM was a long-wheelbase version of the Citroen Fukang 988, which was a sedan version of the Citroen Fukang, which was the Chinese variant of the Citroen ZX hatchback. The Fukang series was made in China by Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën Automobile (DCPA), a joint venture between PSA, now part of Stellantis, and Dongfeng Motors Corporation (DFM). The 988 EM was based on the top-trim Fukang 988 EX model. It came with a luxurious interior, fancy paint, and multispoke wheels. Production of the 988 EM started in 2000.
Photo by DAM @Navigator84.car.spotting, who happens to be an expert on China-made French cars and any China-made cars.
The wheelbase of the 988 EM was extended by 16 centimeters (6.2 inches) in the middle. The great advantage of this classic extending style is that there is no need to change the rear doors. It’s a bit lazy, perhaps, but cost-effective. Size comparison:
Standard: 4305/1707/1413, 2540.
VIP: 4505/1707/1413, 2700.
The Fukang 988 EM was powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with an output of 89 hp and 104 ft-lbs, it had a top speed of 108 mph. Note the ABS badge. At that time, ABS was still a special thing in China. Many locally made cars didn’t have ABS yet. So car makers who did fit ABS proudly showed it on the back with ABS badges, some even had ABS badges on the front fender.
A cool factory photo at the actual factory, which was in Wuhan, the capital of Hebei Province.
Dongfeng-PSA Citroen Elysee VIP
The Citroen Elysee VIP was the long-wheelbase version of the Citroen Elysee sedan, which was an updated version of the Citroen ZX Fukang 988. It had a new front with a modern grille and headlights. The 7-spoke alloy wheels were new too. The Elysee VIP debuted in 2002.
Three got in the way. The extension’s length remained the same, and the engine wasn’t updated either. This 1.6 was used in many PSA products for many many many years, and PSA also sold the engine to DFM, which used it in cars it sold under its own brands. The engine is very reliable and cheap to run.
A white one with a sunroof and darkened rear windows.
The Elysee VIP has cool VIP badges on the front fender, just below the indicator.
The VIP was more luxurious than the standard-wheelbase car, with pretty faux-leather seats and a load of legroom. The owner of this car fitted fancy LV (Louis Vuitton) floor mats. In the early 2000s, LV was the most popular brand in China’s creative industry. Besides the obvious copies of bags and clothing, a Chinese consumer could buy LV-branded bicycles, stationery, tea sets, desk lights, air refreshers, sofas, seat covers for cars, and floor mats for cars.
Another factory-factory photo, with the factory in the background, again in Wuhan.
Taxi version
Citroen also produced a special taxi version of the VIP. Many Chinese car makers make taxi versions of existing models, even today, but Citroen was the only brand with a taxi version of a long-wheelbase model. The factory photo shows a VIP in typical green-yellow taxi colors with a taxi light on the roof. It used the same 1.6-liter engine.
I saw this all-green VIP taxi in Nanjing in 2012. It looked all right for its years, and it was fitted with cool steel wheels.
Dongfeng-PSA Citroen Yunyi C4 Aircross
The Citroen Yunyi C4 Aircross is a long-wheelbase variant of the first-generation Citroen C3 Aircross (A88), a subcompact crossover SUV. Citroen China called it the C4 because it was already selling another unrelated model called C3. This happens quite a lot in China, where joint ventures continue with older models alongside newer ones. The Chinese C4 Aircross is also unrelated to the earlier and larger Citroen C4 Aircross, which was based on the Mitsubishi ASX. The C4 Aircross debuted in 2018. It has a sporty styling, and dual color schemes, like this white one with red details that I saw in front of a Citroen dealer in Beijing soon after it was launched.
The wheelbase was been extended by 6 centimeters (2.3 inches).
C3 Aircross: 4150/1760/1640, 2595.
Yunyi C4 Aircross: 4270/1770/1655, 2655.
The long-wheelbase crossover could be had with a 137 hp 1.2 turbo 136 hp 3-pot or with a 167 hp 1.6 turbo.
Some people think that, somehow, Chinese consumers do not get confused about all these similar names that may mean different things. That is untrue. Chinese consumers are human, after all. They get confused too. They surely got confused about the long-wheelbase Citroen c4 Aircross, and the model didn’t sell well. Production ended in 2020 and there was no successor.
Dongfeng-PSA Peugeot 508L
The Peugeot 508L is the most luxurious Peugeot sedan for the Chinese market. The L debuted in 2019, it is based on the second-generation Peugeot 508. Interestingly, the 508L is a traditional four-door sedan, whereas the standard-wheelbase 508 is a liftback sedan.
To get extra attention for its long-wheelbase sedan, Peugeot made a co-marketing deal with the makers of the X-Men: Dark Phoenix movie. Peugeot launched a special edition with an X-Men wrap, including a large red-black X on the doors and another X around the 508 logo on the hood.
The 508L has the flattest bench of any L car. But it does have a lot of space. The wheelbase was extended by 6 centimeters (2.36 inches), which doesn’t seem so much for all the trouble with the trunk.
508: 4750/1859/1403, 2788.
508L: 4870/1855/1455, 2848.
The 508L has Peugeot badges on the C-pillars. There was only one engine available, a 1.8 turbo with 211 hp and 300 Nm (221 ft-lbs).
Dongfeng-PSA Peugeot 508L update
In 2023, the 508L received an update, with a new front with an EV-style grille. The size and the engine remained the same.
Fellow holds a phone to his ear. Nobody does that in China. I guess the marketing department is based in France.
SAIC-GM Cadillac SLS
Cadillac cars are made in China by the SAIC-GM joint venture. For a luxury brand, Cadillac hasn’t launched that many L models. Only two: the Cadillac SLS and the Cadillac ATS-L. The SLS (Seville Luxury Sedan) was a long-wheelbase variant of the Cadillac STS. Production in China started in 2007 and ended in 2013, with a facelift in 2010. The SLS was only the second China-made Cadillac.
The SLS was available with a 2.8 V6, a 3.6 V6, and with a 4.6 liter V8. That was rare, only a few China-made cars had V8 engines at the time. The 4.6 had an output of 320 hp and 308 ft-lbs, good for a 155 mph top speed, which made it one of the fastest sedans on the market. The Northstar LH2 V8 engine was imported from the United States, the other engines were made locally.
Cadillac had nice interior imagery at the time, with a helicopter view of the cabin. The top-spec V8 model was totally loaded. It had separate seats in the rear, an extended armrest section with a control panel and a clock, and a rear-seat entertainment system. The wheelbase was extended by 10 centimeters (3.9 inches).
STS: 4996, 1844, 1463, 2957.
SLS: 5110, 1844, 1465, 3057.
Photo by DAM @Navigator84.car.spotting.
SAIC-GM Cadillac SLS facelift
In 2010, the SLS received an extensive facelift. It has a new and much bigger grille, with a lot of shine to cater to local tastes. The bumper and the fog lights were redesigned as well.
The interior of the facelifted car didn’t change. This photo was released with the facelift. It shows the base LWB model, with a bench and without the fancy armrest.
I got to work on those trees. A black one in front of an unofficial Buick repair shop. Note the first-generation Buick GL8 on the left side, and the shop is advertising with the GL8 name.
A factory-at-the-factory photo. This car is painted in Metallic Gold, a super rare color, I don’t think I have ever seen one like this on the road.
SAIC-GM Cadillac ATS L
The Cadillac ATS L is the long-wheelbase variant of the ATS sedan. It is a great-looking car with perfect proportions, much better indeed than the standard-wheelbase car. The car in the photos is painted in Neon Red, a great color for a Cadillac. The ATS L launched in China in 2014 and production ended in 2019. At the time, it was the smallest China-made Cadillac.
The wheelbase of the Cadillac ATS L was extended by 8.5 centimeters (3.3 inches).
ATS: 4643/1806, 1420, 2776
ATS L: 4730/1824/1426, 2861.
License plates are from Hebei Province. The ATS L was available with only one engine, a 2.0 turbo with either 230 hp or 280 hp. The ATS-L was succeeded by the Cadillac CT4. The CT4 is made in China as well but it has the same wheelbase as the US-made car. Buh!
With a pink wrap. Via CoolCarsInChina.
SAIC-VW Volkswagen Santana 2000 1.8 GSI
One of the best preserved Volkswagen Santana 2000s that I have ever seen. I met this white beauty near the Goldenport racetrack in Beijing in 2018. It didn’t have license plates and there was no Volkswagen dealer nearby, so the car was a bit mysterious. I didn’t see it again. The SAIC-Volkswagen Santana 2000 has a complicated history. It was based on the Brazil-made Santana. In China, it was called the Santana 2000 because Volkswagen was still producing the previous generation Santana in China.
Compared to the Brazillian Santana, the wheelbase of the China-made Santana 2000 was extended by 11 centimeters (4.33 inches), which made for a load of space in the back.
Santana (Brazil): 4572/1686/1417, 2548.
Santana 2000: 4680/1700/1423, 2658.
Power came from a 1.8 with 101 hp and 114 ft-lbs. The motor was mated to a five-speed manual.
The Santana 2000 was a popular taxi, and it was also used by many government agencies like the fire department and the police. Volswage sold a sporty version as well, called the Santana 2000 1.8 GSi.
SAIC-VW Volkswagen Passat LWB (B5.5)
Production of the B5.5 Volkswagen Passat in China started in 2003. B5.5 refers to the updated version of the Passat B5, which was launched internationally in 2001. Compared to the international version, the wheelbase of the China-made Passat was extended by 10 centimeters (3.9 inches). It was a clever extension, almost invisible from the outside. Like the Audi, it wasn’t called ‘L’. It was simply called Passat. The standard-wheelbase version wasn’t available anyway. Size comparison:
Passat B5: 4704/1740/1463, 2703.
Passt B5 LWB: 4789/1765/1470, 2803.
During its long production run, SAIC-VW launched many variants of the Passat with loads of different engines and trim levels. The car in the photos is a super luxurious Volkswagen Passat Lingyu 2.8 V6, which was launched in 2005. It has an Audi-style shiny grille, fancy paint, and beautiful six-spoke alloy wheels. The photo car misses the ‘6’ of the V6 badge. Why didn’t the owner fix that..? I would have fixed it immediately. Poor car. The motor was a 2.8-liter 30-valve V6 with an output of 190 hp and 192 ft-lbs. It was mated to a 5-speed automatic gearbox.
The interior was luxurious, with classy beige leather and fancy screens. Passengers could watch their favorite DVDs while on the road. I have been in several of these top-end Passats and the ride is very comfortable, much softer than the German-made Passat. It was quick too, with a 130 mph top speed.
Volvo Asia Pacific Volvo S60 L
Volvo Asia Pacific is the name for China-made Volvo’s under Geely’s ownership. So the naming is like this: Volvo Asia Pacific > Volvo > Type. The Volvo S60 L is the long-wheelbase variant of the second-generation Volvo S60 sedan. Production of the S60 L started in 2014 and ended in 2019. The car in the photos is a S60L 2.0T model, powered by a 2.0 turbo with 180 hp and 221 ft-lbs.
The interior was very gray but the owner added some color with a pink neck pillow and a pink seat belt pillow. The wheelbase was extended by 8 centimeters (3.15 inches).
S60: 4628/1865/1481, 2776.
S60L: 4715/1866/1481, 2856.
Characters: 沃尔沃亚太, Wo’erwo Yatai, Volvo Asia Pacific.
Another S60L, this one with sporty five-spoke wheels. There is no LWB version of the current Volvo S60 sedan. At launch, Volvo claimed that the wheelbase was long enough, so there wasn’t any need for an L-version. Well, perhaps the market can decide about that?! Anyway, let’s check. The wheelbase of the current S60 is 2872 and, as we have seen, the wheelbase of the S60L was 2856. So maybe, just maybe, Volvo has a point there.
Volvo Asia Pacific S90
The Volvo S90 started as a Sweden-made sedan with a standard wheelbase. In 2017, production of the LWB version began in China. At the same time, production of the standard-wheelbase S90 was moved to China as well. The standard-wheelbase car was for export only, it wasn’t sold locally. The LWB was sold in China and exported to a couple of other markets, including the US. At this moment, production of the standard-wheelbase S90 has ended but the S90 LWB is still available, albeit only as a PHEV. The car in the photos is an S90 LWB T4, I saw it on the parking lot of a Volvo dealer in Beijing in 2019, it was factory-fresh with dealer stickers and seat covers.
The LWB had an extended armrest area between the front seats with a control panel for the air conditioning. The S90 LWB was not available with rear-seat entertainment. The wheelbase was extended by 12 centimeters (4.7 inches).
The T4 model was powered by a 2.0 turbo with 190 hp and 221 ft-lb.
The last S90 standing is the Volvo Asia Pacific S90 LWB T8 PHEV. The list price is 499.900 ($62K) yuan but with a dealer discount, you can have one for just 379.900 yuan ($53K). This kind of large discount is common in China at the moment, as the entire car market is in the middle of a bloody price war.
Final Words
How much longer will there be long-wheelbase cars? The greatest threat to the species is the EV. An electric vehicle, with its skateboard platform, always has a relatively long wheelbase. It is only BMW that sells a long-wheelbase electric car, and that is because BMW makes the i5 on the same platform as the 5. Mercedes-Benz doesn’t sell LBW versions of the China-made EQ cars, the next Volvo ES90 will have a 3-meter long wheelbase anyway. Chinese brands have long seen this coming. The current Chinese electric sedans have a wheelbase that petrol-powered sedans can only dream of. A few examples: Denza Z9: 3125 mm. NIO ET9: 3250. Lynk & Co Z10: 3005. Not a single Chinese car maker is making special long-wheelbase cars anymore, and foreign many brands like Cadillac and Volvo have quit on L as well. Only the Germans hold out, for now, but I bet that won’t last very long. The upcoming all-electric Audi A6 e-tron, for example, will replace the current A6 and it has a wheelbase of 2946 (116.0 inches), which comes close to the Chinese electric cars. So the end of L in China seems near, closing an important and long chapter in China’s automotive industry. Sad, but probably unavoidable.
The Longest
This was my longest article for this website so far. That makes sense as it is about long-wheelbase cars. This article is a work in progress. I will update it regularly with more photos. Let me know if I missed any L cars. I will write a separate article about planned L-cars that were canceled and not launched on the market. Thank you for reading!