The Outback treatment of the new Impreza may not be a best seller, but if emerging reports are to be believed, Audi thinks it can do a better mini-me impression by applying the Allroad concept – its take on the Outback theme – to the smaller A4.
Currently the Audi Allroad is based on the mid-range A6 Avant Quattro wagon, with an off-road suspension and contrasting body-cladding. Like the Outback and the XC70 version of Volvo's V70 wagon, the Allroad offers sport-ute appeal and functionality with better driving dynamics and less weight to schlep around.
A beefed-up A4 Avant Quattro could provide an attractive alternative to the emerging field of compact SUVs like the BMW X3 and Acura RDX ,as well as upcoming models like the Mercedes GLK, Infiniti EX and even Audi's own Q5. Then again, maybe poaching its own sales wouldn't be that great an idea.
[Source: AutoBild via Motor Authority]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
skant @ Jan 10th 2008 6:11PM
ummm your point?
psarhjinian @ Jan 10th 2008 5:55PM
No, poaching your own sales is always a stupid idea. That's never stopped GM or Ford from doing it, and it doesn't look like MB, VW and BMW want to miss their chance to totally screw themselves, either.
Audi has a nice, clean lineup without too much overlap. They ought not to mess with it: pick either the A4 Allroad or the Q5, but not both.
HAWC1506 @ Jan 10th 2008 6:20PM
So that now Audi's almost running out of numbers, they're turning to Audi A3.5, Audi A5.5, Audi A2.5...
kballs @ Jan 10th 2008 7:31PM
By the time they added a higher+wider suspension (especially an adjustable height suspension) and wider fenders this thing would probably weigh more than the Q5 but have less room inside... they'd be better off just building the Q5 and optimizing the suspension/handling and CoG to as close to what an A4 Allroad would be as possible.
Mike @ Jan 10th 2008 7:53PM
Clarification on the Outback Sport trim for the Impreza... Dealers can't get enough of them to sell. Demand is far higher than supply.
Andrew @ Jan 10th 2008 9:02PM
does the regular audi Allroad sell that well to begin with? i've seen few and far between.
Johnnie @ Jan 10th 2008 9:06PM
Currently the Audi Allroad is based on the mid-"range A6 Avant Quattro wagon"
They haven't made the Audi allroad in a few years. I believe it was stated that it would cut into sales of the new Q7.
Johnnie @ Jan 10th 2008 9:11PM
"Currently the Audi Allroad is based on the mid-range A6 Avant Quattro wagon"
They haven't made the All-road in quite some time. It was based on the previous version of the A6. Not the one that's been out for the past several years. I believe it was because it would cut into sales of the Q7.
I know many people that absolutley love their allroads!!!
HeyHuub @ Jan 11th 2008 2:42AM
There is a new A6 Allroad for quite some time already.
Johnnie @ Jan 10th 2008 9:11PM
"Currently the Audi Allroad is based on the mid-range A6 Avant Quattro wagon"
They haven't made the All-road in quite some time. It was based on the previous version of the A6. Not the one that's been out for the past several years. I believe it was because it would cut into sales of the Q7.
I know many people that absolutley love their allroads!!!
Johnnie @ Jan 10th 2008 9:14PM
They didn't make it in the states.
Did they make it elsewhere?
pscs @ Jan 10th 2008 9:57PM
is this worth it? because the Q5 is really similar (platform and all that).
DKB_SATX @ Jan 10th 2008 10:22PM
As long as they continue to offer the A4 Avant as a proper wagon, that's fine with me. P. T. Barnum said there's a customer for fake SUVs born every minute...
Adam @ Jan 10th 2008 10:49PM
They sell a C6 allroad in Europe
http://new-cars.audi.co.uk/audi-a6-allroad-quattro/
Razor @ Jan 10th 2008 11:00PM
Currently I can't wait to see the VW Tiguan in the showroom because it is a vehicle I feel would be hard to beat in it's price range. My feelings toward that vehicle could change if the A4 Allroad were to come out.
I currently have a Passat 1.8T quattro (4-Motion) wagon that I wish was an Allroad. My car goes off-road and sees more mud than 90% of the SUV's out there but sometimes I take it in a little too deep. I think my VW dealer carries extra engine panel clips just for me. I wish I had just slightly more ground clearance. The Passat carries heavy scuba gear, camping equipment, and I love being able to easily load/unload skies and bicycles from the roof-rack. It does all of this while getting "great" gas mileage.
I considered the Outback when I purchased my car but didn't like the overall feel and character when compared to the Passat. The A6 Allroad was simply out of my price range but I might give up one of my vices to make an A4 payment.
--Dave
DKB_SATX @ Jan 10th 2008 11:14PM
If Audi prices the A4 Allroad the way they priced the A6-based Allroad, the Tiguan will probably have something like a $15k price advantage, so if you don't need the Audi luxury cachet you might as well get the Tiguan and buy more bikes and scuba gear.
DKB_SATX @ Jan 10th 2008 11:15PM
If Audi prices the A4 Allroad the way they priced the A6-based Allroad, the Tiguan will probably have something like a $15k price advantage, so if you don't need the Audi luxury cachet you might as well get the Tiguan and buy more bikes and scuba gear.
bobo @ Jan 11th 2008 2:17AM
Good gods, man. You should've tested a Forester XT Sport edition. Pretty sweet car, looks nice in the dark grey. Drives very well, the power and handling should completely stomp most VWs baring an R32. There's a good article in Motor Trend or Car and Driver with tips on upgrading the XT to make it handle even better (Cobb AP, tires, sway bar, etc.) And oh, that engine and the sound. Less depressing interior than VW, too. (But then again you couldn't pay me to drive a VW - so I may be the wrong person to talk to).
Razor @ Jan 16th 2008 1:14PM
I looked at the Forester when I was shopping and didn't like it. They were more money and had a very cheap interior compared to the Passat. I was willing to sacrafice ground clearance for a much better fit and finish.
Mattias @ Jan 11th 2008 1:22AM
There are some uncladded A4 wagons with higher ground clearance and stuffed with electronics around in the "Loewensteiner Berge" -- a hill area just outside of Neckarsulm, where Audi builds the A8, R8 and some of the A6 and where Quattro GmbH is located. I first thought they were mules for a Q5, but the press says different things. Personally I do not believe that there is a market for a total of four Audi SUVs, so I still believe they are Q5 mules...