Motor Authority - blog Category: Allroad

Diesel engines have been a hot topic in the U.S. lately, but so far demand, while growing, hasn't shot up to the levels necessary to support a range of choices from carmakers. Europe is decidedly different on that measure, and accordingly they get a broad set of choices that gets even broader with today's announcement of a new pair of engines available in the Audi Q5 and A4 Allroad.

The two new engines are Audi's 143hp 2.0 TDI diesel four-cylinder and the 180hp 2.0 TFSI gasoline four. Both are already available in other vehicles in Audi's range, but moving the small powerplants to the entry-level position in the European lineup offers... Diesel engines have been a hot topic in the U.S. lately, but so far demand, while growing, hasn't shot up to the levels necessary to support a range of choices from carmakers. Europe is decidedly different on that measure, and accordingly they get a broad set of choices that gets even broader with today's announcement of a new pair of engines available in the Audi Q5 and A4 Allroad. The two new engines are Audi's 143hp 2.0 TDI diesel four-cylinder and the 180hp 2.0 TFSI gasoline four. Both are already available in other vehicles in Audi's range, but moving the small powerplants to the entry-level position in the European lineup offers buyers a new choice for efficiency and savings. The diesel-burner offers 36.19mpg US in the Q5, while the gasoline four-pot is good for 28.0mpg US on average. The A4 Allroad isn't sold here in the U.S., but the Q5 is, and its big brother the Q7 is available with the larger 3.0L V6 TDI engine. Diesel-heads will be disappointed to know that the 2.0 TDI engine isn't planned to cross the pond in the foreseeable future due to low demand, according to Audi's Brad Stertz. In contrast, the new diesel is actually 300 euros cheaper than the TFSI model in Europe due to the broader acceptance of the fuel. The 2.0 TFSI engine could make the trans-Atlantic trip, however, since its gasoline-burning ways aren't shrouded in mystery and decades-old tales of clattering, sulfur-smelling feats of Teutonic engineering. Still no official word on that matter, however, but we'll bring you the latest as soon as word comes through. For more the the Audi Q5, check out our release story and review.2009 Audi Q52010 Audi A4 Allroad Official Read More

Audi has unveiled its new A4 Allroad quattro at the Geneva Motor Show today, and latest reports indicate the toughened up Avant on stilts could be heading to the U.S. Audi is keen to sell a new Allroad quattro in the U.S. following the exit of the A6 Allroad quattro back in 2005.

That particular model saw a strong sales start, with nearly 6,000 units rolling out of showrooms each year in the early part of the decade. In its final year, however, this number trickled down to just 2,429 units. That wasn't enough to justify North American imports of the second-generation vehicle, which sells today in Europe today.

Despite Audi’s U.S.... Audi has unveiled its new A4 Allroad quattro at the Geneva Motor Show today, and latest reports indicate the toughened up Avant on stilts could be heading to the U.S. Audi is keen to sell a new Allroad quattro in the U.S. following the exit of the A6 Allroad quattro back in 2005. That particular model saw a strong sales start, with nearly 6,000 units rolling out of showrooms each year in the early part of the decade. In its final year, however, this number trickled down to just 2,429 units. That wasn't enough to justify North American imports of the second-generation vehicle, which sells today in Europe today. Despite Audi’s U.S. public relations manager Bradley Stertz previously stating that a return of the Allroad quattro was unlikely, Audi AG board member for sales and marketing Peter Schwarzenbauer has revealed that there is a chance. Speaking with Automotive News, Schwarzenbauer said shifts in consumer attitudes towards SUVs have prompted the company to revisit the market potential for an AWD wagon like the A4 Allroad quattro. It is the perfect competitor for cars like the Subaru Outback and the Volvo XC70, which currently dominate a segment with very few players. But standing in its way is the fact that only 7% of Audi A4 sales in the U.S. are for the Avant model (about 3,000 units). The percentage of Allroad sales would almost certainly be just a fraction of this – possibly too low to justify the relatively high expense of having the vehicle pass stringent U.S. emissions and crash safety standards. Europeans will get their first taste of the car in the middle of the year, with pricing confirmed to start at €37,100.2010 Audi A4 Allroad Official2010 Audi A4 Allroad driving footage Read More

Audi has expanded its A4 range with the introduction of the all-new A4 Allroad quattro, a taller and tougher version of the A4 Avant wagon with permanent AWD and off-road capability. Making its world debut at next month’s Geneva Motor Show, the A4 Allroad is packed with a range of new features including Audi’s drive select intelligent handling technology, a dual-clutch S tronic transmission, and a new communication and assistance systems.

The design of the A4 Allroad recalls the A4 Avant but picks up wider fenders, a taller ride height, bumpers with a more ruggedized look, new air intake housings and front fog lights. A... Audi has expanded its A4 range with the introduction of the all-new A4 Allroad quattro, a taller and tougher version of the A4 Avant wagon with permanent AWD and off-road capability. Making its world debut at next month’s Geneva Motor Show, the A4 Allroad is packed with a range of new features including Audi’s drive select intelligent handling technology, a dual-clutch S tronic transmission, and a new communication and assistance systems. The design of the A4 Allroad recalls the A4 Avant but picks up wider fenders, a taller ride height, bumpers with a more ruggedized look, new air intake housings and front fog lights. A single-frame radiator grille bears vertical chrome strips, and more chrome is used to highlight the enclosure of the fog lights. Optional xenon headlights also feature LED daytime running lights, while stainless steel underbody guards are used at both the front and rear of the car. Its measurements include a length of 4.72m, a wheelbase of 2.81m, a width of 1.84m and a height of 1.5m. It also features a ground clearance of 180mm. The luggage compartment’s base capacity is 490L. This can be increased, however, to 1,430L and a length of 1.78m by folding down the split rear-bench backrest, which optionally features a load-through hatch with removable ski bag. Audi will initially offer three different engines for the A4 Allroad: a petrol engine and two diesel units. All three are turbocharged direct-fuel-injection units and come with a new recuperation system that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy during deceleration. The base unit is the 2.0L TFSI, which outputs 211hp (155kW) and 258lb-ft (350Nm) and is good for a 0-62mph (100km/h) run in just 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 143mph (230km/h). Fuel consumption is rated at 29mpg (8.1L/100km). Next up is the 2.0L TDI diesel, which comes with 170hp (125kW) and 258lb-ft (350Nm) of torque and will do the 0-62mph (100km/h) sprint in 8.9 seconds and a top speed of 132mph (213km/h). Fuel consumption is rated at 38mpg (6.4L/100km). Rounding out the range is a 3.0L TDI V6 with 240hp (176kW) and 369lb-ft (500Nm) of torque and is good for a 0-62mph (100km/h) run in 6.4 seconds and a top speed of 147mph (236km/h). Fuel consumption is rated at 33mpg (7.1L/100km). Drive is sent to all four wheels via a standard six-speed manual transmission or optional seven-speed dual-clutch S tronic. The A4 Allroad also features a purely mechanical center differential that distributes power at a 40:60 ratio to the front and rear axle. If necessary, the quattro permanent AWD system can route up to 65% to the front or as much as 85% toward the tail end. Audi has also added a new drive select feature that adjusts throttle response, the Servotronic power steering, and S tronic’s shift points in automatic mode. The driver can select between three different modes: comfort, standard, and sport. Standard features include 17in alloy wheels, roof rails, an automatic climate-control system, an electromechanical handbrake, and Audi’s MMI interface. Optional goodies include a two-part panoramic glass roof, an electromechanical tailgate, a three-zone climate-control system, xenon headlights, 18in alloys, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system with 14 speakers. The car goes on sale in the middle of the year priced at €37,100. U.S. availability and pricing is yet to be revealed.2010 Audi A4 Allroad Official2010 Audi A4 Allroad driving footage Read More

Audi's new A4 Allroad quattro has made its debut at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. Click here for all the details.

Like Volvo's XC line of cars, the Audi Allroad is a tall wagon with AWD and off-road capability. To date, however, the Allroad has only been available in a version based around the A6.

These latest spy photos show a new A4-based Allroad in testing, confirming our news last year that such a model was in the works.

Cues that tip this car as a definite Allroad vehicle include the wider fenders and taller ride height, plus the new bumpers with a more ruggedized look, new air intake housings, addition of foglights and other... Audi's new A4 Allroad quattro has made its debut at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. Click here for all the details. Like Volvo's XC line of cars, the Audi Allroad is a tall wagon with AWD and off-road capability. To date, however, the Allroad has only been available in a version based around the A6. These latest spy photos show a new A4-based Allroad in testing, confirming our news last year that such a model was in the works. Cues that tip this car as a definite Allroad vehicle include the wider fenders and taller ride height, plus the new bumpers with a more ruggedized look, new air intake housings, addition of foglights and other off-road specific design cues. As yet it's not clear if the A4 Allroad will be available as both a sedan and a wagon, but reports suggest the car will be kept simple - meaning air suspension appears to be an unlikely option. Previous spy shots showed an Allroad sedan prototype, and if built the car could be considered a sort of up-scale alternative to the many rally-bred AWD sedans currently on offer, such as the Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi Evo X. Other new features the A4 Allroad could adopt include a dual-clutch transmission and a new 2.0L turbodiesel engine. Power levels would range from 143hp (106kW) and 236lb-ft (320Nm) of torque to 170hp (126kW) and 258lb-ft (350Nm) of torque. A range topper could also be launched with 204hp (179kW) and 295lb-ft (400Nm) of torque available. The remainder of the engines would be the same as all A4 models, and all Allroads by nature feature quattro AWD. Expect the car to make its world debut as a 2010 model at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.2009 Audi A4 Allroad rendering2009 Audi A4 Allroad spy shots at the Nurburgring2010 Audi A4 Allroad spy shots Read More

Audi's new A4 Allroad quattro has made its debut at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. Click here for all the details.

The Audi Allroad, based on the mid-sized A6, is essentially a jacked up version of the standard wagon with protective plastic side cladding and a quattro AWD system. The car is designed for those individuals who want off-road capability but aren’t willing to upsize to full-on SUV. To expand its product portfolio, Audi plans to launch a new Allroad model based on the recently launched B8 A4.

New features the A4 Allroad could adopt include pneumatic air suspension, a dual-clutch transmission and a new 2.0L turbodiesel... Audi's new A4 Allroad quattro has made its debut at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. Click here for all the details. The Audi Allroad, based on the mid-sized A6, is essentially a jacked up version of the standard wagon with protective plastic side cladding and a quattro AWD system. The car is designed for those individuals who want off-road capability but aren’t willing to upsize to full-on SUV. To expand its product portfolio, Audi plans to launch a new Allroad model based on the recently launched B8 A4. New features the A4 Allroad could adopt include pneumatic air suspension, a dual-clutch transmission and a new 2.0L turbodiesel engine. Power levels would range from 143hp and 320Nm of torque to 170hp and 350Nm of torque. A range topper could also be launched with 204hp and 400Nm of torque available. Test-mules of a jacked up A4 sporting some distinctive black plastic cladding over the wheel arches have been spotted in Sweden and now this latest rendering gives us a glimpse as to what the final production version will look like. Like the A6 Allroad, the new A4 version will be based on the Avant wagon model but features non-color coded bumpers and an aluminum undertray up front. Audi is yet to confirm the Allroad’s existence but considering the A4 Avant will be launched next month, and Allroad prototypes have already been spotted, we should see the new model sometime before the end of the year.2009 Audi A4 Allroad rendering Read More

The Audi Allroad, based on the mid-sized A6, is essentially a jacked up version of the standard wagon with protective plastic side cladding and a quattro AWD system. The car is designed for those individuals who want off-road capability but aren’t willing to upsize to full-on SUV. To expand its product portfolio, Audi is now considering adding a smaller A4 Allroad to the fold.

New features the A4 version could adopt if it enters production include pneumatic air suspension, a dual-clutch transmission and a new 2.0L turbodiesel engine. Power levels would range from 143hp and 320Nm of torque to 170hp and 350Nm of torque. A range topper... The Audi Allroad, based on the mid-sized A6, is essentially a jacked up version of the standard wagon with protective plastic side cladding and a quattro AWD system. The car is designed for those individuals who want off-road capability but aren’t willing to upsize to full-on SUV. To expand its product portfolio, Audi is now considering adding a smaller A4 Allroad to the fold. New features the A4 version could adopt if it enters production include pneumatic air suspension, a dual-clutch transmission and a new 2.0L turbodiesel engine. Power levels would range from 143hp and 320Nm of torque to 170hp and 350Nm of torque. A range topper could also be launched with 204hp and 400Nm of torque available. The only official word on the A4 Allroad’s existence, according to AutoBild, is that it’s still under consideration. However, given the success of the A6 Allroad an A4 version is very likely. Read More