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.