2012 Audi A6 Spied in China

, chinThe VW Group is the top automotive manufacturer in China. As of 2010, the VW brand families control 16.8% of China's passenger cars market. Within the premium segment, Audi leads with a market share of around 40%. In China, where being chauffer driven (China holds the record of having the worst traffic jams in the world) is the norm rather than an exception in this segment, Chinese customers place high emphasis on rear legroom. To meet these demands, Audi's joint venture in China, FAW-VW manufactures long wheelbase variants of Audi A4L and A6L, unique to China with infotainment equipments in the rear.

The Chinese government official's default car is a black Audi A6L with heavily tinted windows, like the one in the image below.

We were also told that half of the world's A6 are sold in China and by 2011, China is expected to overtake Germany as Audi's largest market.

Given such a backdrop, naturally one would expect China to be source of spyshots of the next generation A6, and as expected, they first appeared on Chinese websites. Images via auto.sohu.com and ChinaCarNews.com.

Yup. It's a shrunken A8.

Like we said earlier, mainland Chinese are increasingly determining the sort of cars we get to drive.

By the way, the current A6L won't die so soon. Instead, it will be given a new lease of life as a Hongqi sedan. Spyshots of the Hongqi C131 sedan, supposedly based on the current A6L is already making its rounds.

Hongqi is domestic brand by Audi's local Chinese partner FAW. Hongqis are commonly used by high ranking Chinese Communist Party officials. All Hongqi sedans were reskinned / rebadaged Audi sedans. However in recent times, Hongqis have been given more distinct look, a reflection of homegrown Chinese automotive talent.

This is the Hongqi CA7600. It's only available on special order and not sold to the public. It's armoured, has two flag poles, special stand and sunroof along with 4 microphones on the roof for the President to make his public address. Aside from the Mercedes 600 Grosser, this is the ultimate bad-ass dictator's car! No rapper or footballer or even Jeremy Clarkson, Paris Hilton is going to do a one-up on if you get your hands on one of these.

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