Mercedes-Benz C-Class Switches to 2.0T Engine, Audi A5L Adopts Huawei Smart Driving: Have Luxury Brands Finally Awakened?

Yesterday, I saw the latest declaration from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and I almost spat out my drink. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is actually returning to the 2.0T engine, while the SAIC Audi A5L has equipped itself with Huawei’s smart driving technology. I asked myself honestly: have these two German luxury brands been bewitched or have they finally come to their senses?

First, let’s talk about the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Three years ago, when their “mild hybrid 1.5T” was launched, I was already cursing on the racetrack. A nearly two-ton luxury sedan fitted with a small displacement engine drives like it’s been filled with fake alcohol; not only is the acceleration weak, but the hesitation during high-speed overtaking makes you want to wrench the steering wheel off. Now, they have finally switched back to the 2.0T; this is not a return, this is a concession!

I remember when I drove the C-Class 2.0T in Xinjiang in 2017, it was scorching outside at over 40 degrees, and even with the air conditioning at full blast, it was not a problem. Now, the new 2.0T has a maximum power of 125 kW, and the C 260L even peaks at 150 kW, paired with a 9AT transmission, making the torque output curve much smoother than before. But don’t be fooled by these numbers; the actual driving experience still depends on the chassis tuning. Mercedes has made their suspension softer in recent years, losing that classic German feel.

Now looking at Audi. The SAIC Audi A5L has adopted Huawei’s smart driving, which is more absurd than what I saw in 2008 when Haval put a Porsche badge on their car. A German veteran brand that started by selling engines is now clinging to Huawei; isn’t that a slap in the face? But upon closer inspection, this actually shows that Audi has finally faced its shortcomings.

Two months ago, I test drove an engineering vehicle of the Audi A5L, and the placement of the dual laser radar clearly indicates the problem – it could have been designed to be hidden, yet it is so obvious that it’s almost like they should have put a neon sign on the roof saying “I use Huawei smart driving.” But I have to admit, this system is indeed useful; the urban NOA function is more reliable than most luxury brands I’ve used, achieving true “from parking space to parking space”.

Audi’s ADS 3.0 algorithm performance in congested traffic reminded me of the amazement I felt when I first experienced the adaptive cruise control in the Audi A8L back in 2014. At that time, I thought German car technology was absolutely leading, but over the past decade, domestic brands have overtaken them significantly. This collaboration with Huawei shows that Audi is indeed in a hurry.

To be honest, I initially thought these two companies were just making a last-minute effort, but after reviewing the materials, I found out they had been planning this for a long time. Traditional luxury brands have had a comfortable life in recent years, with sales not meeting expectations and young people increasingly uninterested. I pondered this for a whole night and realized that this situation is indeed complex.

Luxury brands have been living too comfortably, immersed in their own glory and unwilling to step out. I remember at the Shanghai Auto Show two years ago, a senior executive from a German brand told me, “The Chinese market will eventually return to rationality,” implying that intelligence is a facade, and the German chassis and engines are what truly matter. Now, they have been taught a lesson by domestic brands.

But don’t celebrate too early. The return of Mercedes to the 2.0T does not mean they truly understand the Chinese market; it may just be a reaction to the severe criticism of the 1.5T. Audi’s use of Huawei smart driving could also be a stopgap measure; once their technology catches up, they might not need to rely on it anymore. I remember back in 2008, BMW also had a “deep cooperation” with a domestic brand, and later they went their separate ways.

These luxury brands still think they are here to teach you what high-end goods are, completely disregarding the Chinese market. It wasn’t until their sales plummeted that they remembered the feelings of Chinese consumers. Please, it’s 2025 now; who still buys into that?

Let’s get real. Just the other day, I received some internal data showing that the first purchase rate of luxury brands among the 25-35 age group has been declining for three consecutive years. Young people do not recognize brands; they only care about product strength and intelligence. Mercedes switching to 2.0T is a forced adaptation, and Audi using Huawei smart driving is a reluctant move. They have not awakened; they have been pushed to the wall and are reacting.

Lastly, a side note. The day I tested the new C-Class, I encountered an owner of an old C-Class in the parking lot. The look in his eyes when he saw the test car was very complex. I told him the new model is switching back to 2.0T, and he immediately replied, “It should have changed long ago; the 1.5T can’t even compete with my wife’s Golf.” That hit hard. In fact, what luxury brands fear the most is this kind of reputation collapse, as their status is still at stake.

After it launches in June, I will write a detailed review. Especially the low-end performance of this new Mercedes 2.0T and the extreme testing of Audi’s Huawei smart driving are worth a thorough examination. Whether luxury brands have truly awakened or are just pretending will be answered by the sales data in the second half of the year.