Audi has unveiled a long-wheelbase version of the India-bound A4 sedan at the 2016 Beijing motor show. The new A4 L is 4.81 metres long – compared to the standard A4's 4.72 metres – and also has a longer wheelbase than the regular car. Despite being 40mm longer overall than the previous A4 L, the new car's kerb weight is 110kg lower.

The A4 L will be offered with Xenon headlights as standard, but Audi's Matrix LED lights and dynamic turn signals (where the indicator lights scroll depending on the direction of travel) feature on the options list. Like the stretched versions of the Mercedes-Benz E-class, BMW X1 and Jaguar XF, which have also made their debuts at Beijing 2016, the main benefit of the A4 L's added length is rear passenger space, adding a fair bit more kneeroom. This is especially important for the Chinese market, where most executive buyers are likely to be chauffeured rather than drive themselves.

The interior fixtures and fittings of the A4 L are identical to those of the standard A4, and include the option of Audi's Virtual Cockpit digital dashboard display. Audi's latest safety technology, including Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection, parking assistance and collision avoidance systems also feature, as does the firm's Stop&Go traffic jam assistance system.

Like the standard A4, the A4 L has 480 litres of boot space with its rear seats in place; dropping the rear bench frees up a total of 965 litres. In China, the A4 L will be offered with two petrol engine choices – both 2.0-litre TFSI units. Buyers can choose from 189.5hp or 252.4hp outputs, and Audi's seven-speed S-tronic transmission is standard. Though natively front-wheel drive, Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system is optional on the A4 L.

The A4 L will go on sale in China later in the summer, but there are currently no plans to bring the car to any other international markets.

Beijing motor show 2016 photo gallery