One of several new models on Audi's stand at
next month's Geneva Motor Show will be an all new A4 allroad quattro, adding rugged looks, greater ground clearance and a modicum of off-road ability to the
A4 Avant. It's the first time the allroad name has been applied to the A4 range.
Though largely derivative of its road-biased sibling, the new allroad features extensive changes to earn it its 'soft-roader' tag. Most obvious are the distinctive new front grille, chunky bumper and wheelarch mouldings and the stainless steel underbody guards fitted front and rear. Longer springs and new shock absorbers lead to increased ground clearance, while the track is wider and the minimum wheel size is 17-inches in diameter. Roof rails are also standard.
Audi has largely left the interior alone - sensibly - though allroad buyers have different trim and specification options, while the 'loadliner' in the boot is reversible. Other changes are unseen, such as a new Offroad Detection system, which alters the ESP's parameters when it identifies that the car is being driven off-road. Meanwhile, the full-time four-wheel drive features a 40:60 front-to-rear split in normal driving, though this can be varied according to the levels of grip detected.
Customers have a choice of either 2.0- or 3.0-litre TDI turbodiesels or the latest 2.0-litre TFSI turbocharged petrol unit. All feature direct injection. The petrol option boasts 208bhp and propels the allroad quattro to 62mph in 6.9 seconds on the way to a top speed of 143mph. Combined consumption is 34.9mpg with the standard six-speed manual gearbox.
Both TDI units are fitted with Audi's newest dual-clutch transmission, the seven-speed S tronic. No doubt the best selling model will be powered by the 2.0 TDI engine, which puts out 168bhp and 258lb.ft of torque and returns 44.1mpg on the combined cycle. It'll hit 62mph from rest in 8.9 seconds on the way to 132mph.
The V6-engined 3.0 TDI model will be the most exciting option, using its 236bhp and 369lb.ft of torque to accelerate the A4 allroad to 62mph in just 6.4 seconds and onto a top speed of 147mph. Despite these credentials, economy is quoted at 39.8mpg.
Full pricing and specification will be announced following the allroad's unveiling in Geneva, though entry-level models are expected to sell for just under £30,000. First deliveries are expected early in the summer.
Shane O' Donoghue - 15 Feb 2009
