Audi A4 Allroad Quattro: The Return of the Off-Road Wagon?

While Audi continues to sell its A6 Allroad Quattro overseas, the platform was cancelled in North American in 2008. Now Audi has released details of a new Allroad Quattro version of the A4… but there is no word on if this crossover will be available to North Americans.

Based on the A4 Avant platform the A4 Allroad Quattro is intended to be a real off-road-capable machine with a 7.09-inches of ground clearance and, of course, Audi’s legendary quattro all-wheel drive system. On the A4 Allroad Quattro power is distributed front and rear in a 40/60 distribution. As much as 65 percent of the power can be sent to the front wheels and as much as 85 percent of the power can be sent to the rear wheels, when necessary.

The A4 Allroad Quattro sits higher on longer springs and shocks – for a more comfortable off-road drive. Audi insists that the car is still plenty-sporty when on-road as well.

The track of the vehicle has been increased by 20mm (0.79-inches) to increase grip and large 17-inch wheels are fitted with 225/55/17 tires.

One impressive innovation on the car is Audi’s Offroad Detection system, which monitors the condition of the road and limits the intrusiveness of the stability control system when you leave the beaten-path.

The styling is typical of Audi’s past Allroad Quattro vehicles with flared fenders and stainless steel guards on the front and rear bumpers.

Lift the rear hatch and the A4 Allroad Quattro has 17.3 cubic feet of trunk space with a total of 50.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.  That rear hatch is also exactly one meter (3.28-feet) wide.

On sale this Spring in Europe, the A4 Allroad Quattro will be offered with three engine choices, a 2.0-liter TDI, a 3.0-liter TDI and Audi’s impressive 2.0-liter TFSI. The 2.0 TDI makes 170hp and 258 ft-lbs of torque and gets an average of 37 mpg with a 0-62 mph time of 8.9 seconds. The 3.0 TDI makes 240hp and 369 ft-lbs of torque and gets an average of 33 mpg with an impressive 6.4 second scoot to 62 mph. As for the award-winning 2.0 TFSI engine, it makes 211hp and 258 ft-lbs of torque, while delivering 29 mpg and serving up a 6.9 second run to 62 mph.

The A4 Allroad Quattro will be offered with plenty of unique details and packages, including a special Allroad interior.

 

Official release after the jump:

 

The Audi A4 allroad quattro: 

A Vehicle that knows no Boundaries 

• The A4 allroad quattro is right at home on any road – and offroad 

• quattro permanent all-wheel drive and increased ground 

clearance 

• Sporty character and innovative high-end technology 

Ingolstadt – A vehicle that knows no boundaries: Audi is launching the 

A4 allroad quattro. With its permanent all-wheel drive and increased ground 

clearance, the A4 can handle any road or trail; it also offers driving 

pleasure – even on unpaved surfaces. Naturally, the Audi A4 allroad quattro 

features all the innovative technologies which impart to the A4 model line 

its superiority: a range of powerful and highly energy-efficient engines, 

Audi drive select (intelligent handling technology), the high-tech S tronic 

transmission, and innovative communication and assistance systems. The 

vehicle will be available in early summer at a basic price of 37,100 euros. 

The design of the Audi A4 allroad quattro recalls the A4 Avant: crisp lines enclose 

tastefully curved surfaces and the low roof line establishes a coupé-like 

silhouette. Striking details re-interpret this model line’s sporty elegance. The 

moon-gray single-frame radiator grille bears vertical chrome strips; an 

accentuated bumper and large air inlets underscore this vehicle’s unique identity. 

Chrome rings encircle the fog lights. And in the option featuring xenon plus 

headlights, light-emitting diodes comprise the daytime running lights and 

taillights. Underneath the front end and tail end, the A4 allroad has a stainless- 

steel underbody guard. 

Viewed from the side, the vehicle dazzles with flared wheel arches, angular sills 

(available with stainless-steel insert strips), and large wheels – 17-inch wheels in 

7-arm design are standard. The roof is capped off by an offset rail with two high 

crosspieces. The width of the A4 allroad quattro is emphasized by the rear 

bumper’s distinctive styling and the integrated horizontal reflectors. On the  

2.0 TDI, the two exhaust tailpipes appear side by side; on the 2.0 TFSI and  

3.0 TDI, they terminate to the left and to the right. 

Body and Luggage Compartment 

The Audi A4 allroad quattro is a truly expressive car. Its measurements include: 

4.72 meters (15.49 ft) in length, a wheelbase of 2.81 meters (9.22 ft), 1.84 meters 

(6.04 ft) in width, and 1.50 meters (4.92 ft) in height. It also features greater 

ground clearance than the Audi A4 Avant: 180 millimeters (7.09 inches) when the 

Audi A4 allroad quattro is unloaded. 

Audi has created a vehicle body consisting primarily of high-strength and ultra- 

strong steel panels – which, in turn, reduce the car’s weight while enhancing its 

rigidity, vibrational comfort, and impact safety. An array of precisely arranged 

metal sections protects passengers in the event of an accident.  

In addition to the two front airbags, which take into consideration the precise 

positions of the driver and front-seat passenger, there are side air bags in the 

front and, optionally, in the rear as well. Last but not least, a head-protection 

airbag system also stands at the ready. The integral head-restraint system in the 

front diminishes the risk of whiplash in the event of a rear-end collision. 

The luggage compartment’s base capacity is 490 liters (17.30 cubic feet). This 

can be increased, however, to an impressive 1,430 liters (50.50 cubic feet) and a 

length of 1.78 meters (5.84 feet) by folding down the split rear-bench backrest, 

which optionally features a load-through hatch with removable ski bag. The hatch 

is exactly one meter wide (3.28 feet). The luggage compartment boasts an 

ingenious design which enhances its use and is lined with high-quality carpet. 

Befitting its character, the A4 allroad quattro has a wealth of practical flourishes: 

the luggage-compartment cover and the partition safety netting are stored in 

separate compartments; a mere tap of the hand triggers the cover to 

automatically retract upward. Additional standard equipment includes fastening 

rings and bag hooks as well as a shelf on one side with an adjustable net.  

Every Audi A4 allroad quattro also has a reversible loadliner, the underside of 

which has been designed as a dirt-resistant tray. Optional equipment includes a 

reversible mat, a 12-volt outlet, an electromechanical assembly for the tailgate, 

and a load-securing set with a telescopic rod and strap retainer. The load- 

securing set’s two rails in the floor allow the luggage compartment to be divided 

as required. 

Interior 

Refined touches, uncompromising quality and flawless functionality: the interior of 

the Audi A4 allroad quattro embodies all the strengths for which Audi is 

renowned. The cockpit clearly serves the driver. Among the control unit’s 

highlights: the standard electromechanical handbrake – which has replaced the 

lever on the center console with a button – and the central on-board monitor. A 

color display complements the concert or symphony sound system, or the MMI 

navigation system plus; the MMI’s offset control unit is housed in the center 

console.  

Customers can choose one of several different trim materials: an exclusive 

allroad fabric, two types of leather, or an Alcantara/leather combination. The 

fabric designs are available in two colors and the leather trim in seven colors (two 

of which feature sporty contrasting stitching). Standard inlays are micrometallic 

platinum; options include aluminum trigon, natural fine-grain ash, laurel nutmeg, 

and walnut brown. Carpeting is made of velour; the headlining is star silver, linen 

beige, or black (optional). Many of the operating controls gleam thanks to their 

standard aluminum look; the door sill trims bear special allroad logos. 

As for seats, Audi offers a seat-heating system, electrical adjustability, a sporty 

version with pronounced side sections, and climate-controlled comfort seats. The 

latter not only can be heated, but also deliver relief on hot days thanks to an 

integrated cooling unit with small fans. The long wheelbase of the A4 allroad 

quattro ensures plenty of interior space – even on the rear bench seat. 

The Engines 

Audi will initially offer three different engines for the A4 allroad quattro: a 

gasoline engine and two diesel engines. All three are turbocharged direct- 

fuel-injection engines. They command respect due to excellent performance, 

impressive pulling power, smooth running, and high fuel efficiency. The 

engines are further bolstered by pioneering technologies arising from Audi’s 

modular efficiency expertise. For example, all three units boast a standard 

on-board recuperation system, which converts mechanical energy into 

electrical energy during deceleration. 

The 2-liter TFSI – voted “Engine of the Year” on four consecutive occasions 

by an international panel of experts – incorporates three high-end 

technologies: FSI direct gasoline injection, the turbocharger, and the Audi 

valvelift system, which boosts pulling power by means of a variable control 

system. Between 1,500 and 4,200 rpm, the four-cylinder engine delivers  

350 Nm of torque to the crankshaft. Peak output is 155 kW (211 bhp). In 

addition, the 2-liter TFSI propels the Audi A4 allroad quattro to 100 km/h 

(62.14 mph) in just 6.9 seconds, and to a top speed of 230 km/h  

(142.92 mph). On average, it consumes a mere 8.1 liters of fuel per 100 km 

(29.04 mpg). 

As for the 2.0 TDI, the successor to the most successful diesel engine ever, a 

common-rail system providing injection pressure of 1,800 bar ensures 

excellent driving refinement. The two-liter diesel engine delivers 350 Nm 

between 1,750 and 2.500 rpm. A respectable 125 kW (170 bhp) provides 

admirable output, yet requires just 6.4 liters of fuel per 100 km (36.75 mpg). 

The Audi A4 allroad quattro 2.0 TDI reaches 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 8.9 

seconds and a top speed of 213 km/h (132.35 mph). 

The very best of the three engines is the 3.0 TDI. This V6 diesel produces 

176 kW (240 bhp) and transmits 500 Nm of torque to the crankshaft at 1,500 

to 3,000 rpm. The 3.0 TDI in conjunction with S tronic propels the Audi A4 

allroad quattro to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 6.4 seconds, and tops out at  

236 km/h (146.64 mph). On average, the three-liter engine sips only 7.1 liters 

of fuel per 100 km (33.13 mpg). Like the other two engines, it already meets 

the EU’s Euro 5 emission standard. 

The Driveline 

The 2.0 TDI transmits its power to a six-speed manual transmission.  

The 3.0 TDI and 2.0 TFSI feature the next generation of Audi’s dynamic and 

very efficient S tronic. This innovative dual-clutch transmission switches 

extremely smoothly among its seven gears within a few hundredths of a 

second. S tronic also excels thanks to its high efficiency ratio and a broad 

spread of the gear ratios. The seven-speed S tronic has a fully automatic 

mode at the ready: the driver can shift as required, if necessary via shift 

paddles on the steering wheel. 

In the Audi A4 allroad quattro drivetrain, the differential is in front of the clutch 

and immediately behind the engine. This technical stroke of genius made it 

possible to reposition the front axle much closer to the vehicle’s front end, in turn 

allowing for a long wheelbase and an ideal distribution of the axle loads. The 

benefits include steady straight-line stability, superb ride comfort, and excellent 

driving dynamics. 

The Audi A4 allroad quattro features quattro permanent all-wheel drive as 

standard equipment. Its purely mechanical center differential favors the rear, 

distributing power at a 40:60 ratio to the front and rear axle. If necessary, the 

quattro permanent all-wheel drive can route up to 65 percent to the front or as 

much as 85 percent toward the tail end. 

The Chassis 

The width of the Audi A4 allroad quattro lays the foundation for its driving 

dynamics. The car’s track is 1,583 mm (62.32 in.) at the front and 1,574 mm 

(61.97 in.) at the rear – some 20 mm (0.79 in.) wider, respectively, than the  

A4 Avant. The body is higher on account of a new chassis with longer springs, 

which – like the new shock absorbers – combine sportiness with comfort. The 

standard, 17-inch lightweight alloy wheels are fitted with 225/55 tires. At a 

diameter of 690 millimeters (27.17 inches), even this standard configuration looks 

rather imposing. For the time being, Audi is also offering 18-inch wheels. 

The chassis in the A4 allroad quattro retains all the advantages which distinguish 

the A4 model line. Steering is straightforward and responsive. A steering box 

beneath the wheel conveys the driver’s input directly to the wheels. The five-link 

front suspension and the self-tracking trapezoidal-link rear suspension consist 

largely of aluminum to reduce unsprung weight. 16-inch brakes with excellent 

cooling behavior provide for rapid deceleration. It should come as no surprise that 

the A4 allroad quattro offers sportiness, comfort, and stability – onroad and 

offroad. After all, it is an A4. 

On rough terrain, the A4 allroad quattro relies on a high-tech feature of its 

Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP): the Offroad Detection (ORD) technology 

automatically identifies the type of driving surface and adjusts the ESP’s control 

parameters accordingly. When the driver depresses the gas pedal, ESP 

increases propulsive power by tolerating more wheel spin than otherwise. If 

necessary, it will override for a time in the interests of safety. 

On paved roads, Audi drive select further enhances the joys of driving. This 

control system automatically and perfectly adapts the personality of the Audi 

A4 allroad quattro to the driver’s preferences. Audi drive select namely 

evaluates the engine’s throttle response, the Servotronic power steering, and 

S tronic’s shift points in automatic mode. The driver can freely switch among 

three different engine maps: comfortable, standard, and sporty. And MMI 

navigation plus provides yet another on-board control option, and is 

individually programmable. 

Audi drive select can be paired with Audi dynamic steering. It consists of a 

superimposed gear system, and varies the steering ratio as well as steering 

assistance in a continuously variable manner. Audi drive select functions directly 

at low speeds and indirectly at high speeds. At the vehicle’s cornering limit, the 

dynamic steering keeps the A4 allroad quattro on course via split-second 

corrective actions – subsequently obviating extensive ESP intervention. 

Equipment Packages 

The Audi A4 allroad quattro will be available at dealerships early this summer at a 

basic price of 37,100 euros. It is generously equipped with 17-inch lightweight 

alloy wheels, fog lights, a headlight washer system, roof rails, a convenient 

luggage-compartment cover, a reversible loadliner, an automatic climate-control 

system, an electromechanical handbrake, and a sound system with CD player. 

Optional equipment also includes a multitude of attractive features. The high- 

beam assistant automatically switches between high beams and low beams. The 

two-part panoramic glass roof with an electrically operated interior shade 

suffuses the interior with sunlight and fresh air. And the electromechanical 

tailgate, the ingenious three-zone climate-control system, the xenon plus 

headlights with LED daytime running lights and LED reverse lights, and the 

climate-controlled comfort seats are all luxurious options. 

If a customer so desires, they can take delivery of an A4 allroad quattro with 

innovative assistance systems straight from the luxury class. Audi lane assist 

helps the driver to remain in a given lane, while Audi side assist makes it safer to 

change lanes. Adaptive cruise control is a radar-assisted cruise-control system 

which detects vehicles ahead and maintains the proper following distance by 

braking and accelerating on its own. Should the rate of deceleration for some 

reason not suffice, the system alerts the driver via one of two alarms based on 

the extent of danger.  

Audi also offers top-notch multimedia options. The world-class MMI navigation 

plus system belongs to Audi’s cutting-edge generation of new high-tech devices. 

It integrates a color display with three-dimensional maps, a DVD player, a voice- 

activated unit facilitating whole-word commands, and a large hard disk drive 

which stores data for navigation, music, and phoning. MMI navigation plus can be 

rendered even more sophisticated by means of tuner modules which enable 

digital TV/radio reception. Last but not least, a Bang & Olufsen sound system 

indeed constitutes a luxurious extra: its 14 speakers delivering 505 watts create 

breathtaking surround sound.