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Audi heralds the return of the A4 Allroad

Noah Joseph — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Wagon, Audi, Luxury

Audi has been known for all-wheel drive and wagon rooflines for a lot longer than it has been making crossovers. Before cranking out the Q7, Q5 and Q3, the German automaker was making Avant Quattro wagons that carved up alpine mountain passes like nobody's business. And then came the Allroad.

Bridging the gap between a wagon and an SUV, the Allroad versions of the A4 and A6 take a similar approach to the Subaru Outback and Volvo XC70, giving the wagon a rougher, go-anywhere image compared to the standard Avant estate. We used to get the Allroad in the North American market, but after a brief hiatus, the A4 Allroad is back.

We got a chance to drive the soft-roader just last month, but couldn't resist the temptation to snap it again for the Ingolstadt aficionados among us as it made its official North American debut alongside the new A4 and S4 here at the Detroit Auto Show. Click the thumbnails above to check it out in high resolution.

Audi heralds the return of the A4 Allroad originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Audi A4 Allroad Quattro

Matt Davis — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Europe, Crossover, Audi, First Drives, Luxury

Audi Gives Us Its Warrior Wagon For The Holidays

Despite recent sad decisions by Ingolstadt and the company's regional bosses in Herndon, Virginia not to include either the stunning new A6 Avant or the handsomely reworked A4 Avant in its U.S. lineup, Audi has crunched the numbers on another niche's business case and decided to throw us one hell of a bone. Arriving on our shores by July 2012 for the first time is this spanking refreshed A4 Allroad Quattro. As consolation presents go, it's a humdinger.

We've just had a shot at driving this latest A4 Allroad - a model originally created in early 2009 - in various European trims along the Portuguese shore north of Lisbon and over the mountain roads just inland of the same. We can say right off that the discreet slice of American premium car buyers who understand the Allroad legend have much to look forward to. They make up a sympathetic (though generally separate) fan club from those who buy the Subaru Outback. Allroads are for well-to-do drivers who share a passion for this rough-roading, do-it-all niche, and they won't be palmed off with traditional SUVs or their more upright crossover substitutes.

To inaugurate the second coming of the Allroad franchise to the States, Audi is holding the A4 Allroad's world premiere at January's Detroit Auto Show. Through thick and thin, Audi has always treated Motown's motor expo very seriously. Showing such a fondly admired model like the Allroad here first means a lot. There has been a lingering sense of unwilling withdrawal ever since Audi creased importing the A6-based Allroad back in 2005, and confirmation of this new model figures to be a homecoming of sorts.

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2012 Audi A4 Allroad Quattro originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Audi A4, S4 and A4 Allroad Quattro fully revealed [w/video]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Wagon, Crossover, Audi, Luxury

The Audi A4 has been the German automaker's best-selling model for 39 years running with over 10 million individual examples sold, so any sort of major update to the machine is a big deal in Ingolstadt. For the 2013 model year, Audi has bestowed its A4 with revised sheetmetal and powertrains in order to keep it at the forefront of the entry-level luxury car arena... which is especially important with a new BMW 3 Series on its way.

A quick glance may not be enough to take in all the visual changes to the latest A4, but a closer look reveals that there are revisions to nearly every surface, including the front fascia, bumpers and hood. The headlights and taillights have been reworked to more closely match the rest of the lineup with a "slight wave" at the bottom and highly stylized LED elements. Inside the cabin, new steering wheels, refined finishes and a somewhat simplified MMI infotainment system.

European buyers will be able to select from six turbodiesel and four gasoline engines, all with forced induction and direct injection for maximized power and efficiency. In the States, we're expecting at least the 2.0-liter turbocharged four (211 horsepower) and 3.0-liter supercharged six with up to 333 horsepower in high-performance S4 trim. That's enough ponies to hit 60 miles per hour in about 5.0 seconds.

There's a slim chance the U.S. could get a crack at the new 1.8-liter turbo four as well, but we're not holding our breath. As you would expect, Quattro all-wheel drive will be available across the line, and power will reach the wheels through either a six-speed manual, CVT automatic (front-wheel drive only), eight-speed auto or seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Audi is also introducing a new electromechanical power steering system for the 2013 A4.

We're expecting Audi to bring the A4 and S4 to the U.S. in the summer of 2012 as 2013 models, and we should also get the new A4 Allroad wagon as well. You can see a whole slew of images in our high-res galleries, and we've embedded videos highlighting the new A4 Allroad and S4 after the break (along with the press release, naturally) for your viewing pleasure.

Continue reading 2013 Audi A4, S4 and A4 Allroad Quattro fully revealed [w/video]

2013 Audi A4, S4 and A4 Allroad Quattro fully revealed [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2009: New Audi A4 Allroad debuts, reportedly may come to U.S. after all

Chris Paukert — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 13:56:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Crossover, Audi

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Audi A4 Allroad

Audi has rolled out its new 2010 Audi A4 Allroad here at the Geneva Motor Show, and while the turbocharged stiltswagon wasn't originally expected to reach U.S. dealerships, word coming out of the show from Automotive News is that this is under discussion. As you may recall, Audi's very first Allroad, the A6-based softroader, was sold from 2000 to 2005 in the U.S, but the second-generation range (currently on sale in Europe) never made it to America because of the initial model's slow sales.

The flared-fender A4 Allroad goes on sale in Europe as you read this (base price: 37,100 Euros - about $46,700 USD), carrying under its hood a 211-horsepower, 2.0-liter TFSI four-cylinder or one of two TDI diesels - either a 2.0-liter (170 hp) or a 3.0-liter (240 hp). Presumably, if America gets the A4 Allroad at all, it will receive the gas engine variant only where it would match up as a premium-price alternative to the Subaru Outback and forthcoming Saab 9-3X. Of course, Audi may decide to once again import the A6-based Allroad instead - or pass on both altogether, so stay tuned. High-res gallery of live shots below, official press release after the jump.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: 2010 Audi A4 Allroad

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd.]

Continue reading Geneva 2009: New Audi A4 Allroad debuts, reportedly may come to U.S. after all

Geneva 2009: New Audi A4 Allroad debuts, reportedly may come to U.S. after all originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva Preview: 2010 Audi A4 allroad quattro ready for its closeup

Noah Joseph — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 07:45:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, Audi

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the new Audi A4 allroad quattro

While every other automaker was pumping out SUVs by the truckload (so to speak), Audi insisted that its wagons could offer the same benefits as a sport-ute - all wheel drive, rugged looks, cargo capacity - without the drawbacks. Ingolstadt has jumped on the sport-ute bandwagon since then, but hasn't given up the ghost on the wagon/SUV debate. While the A6-basded allroad quattro had to hold down the fort all by itself until now, at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, Audi will give it a kid brother based on the A4.

The Audi A4 allroad quattro is essentially an A4 Avant wagon, only beefed up for that go-anywhere look. Ground clearance is jacked up to a more commodious 180mm, while the underbody is reinforced front and rear with steel plates. Contrasting lower body cladding and flared wheel arches contribute to the off-road look, along with a unique grille, restyled rear bumper and roof rails on top of the Avant's sleek roofline. Of course traction is provided by Audi's trademark quattro all-wheel-drive system, putting the power down from the 211 hp 2.0-liter TFSI, 170hp 2.0-liter TDI or 240hp 3.0-liter TDI (gas, diesel and diesel for those unfamiliar with VW Group lexicon) through the six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. All the details can be found in the press release after the jump, with a gallery of high-resolution photos accessible via the thumbnails below.

Gallery: 2010 Audi A4 allroad quattro

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Geneva Preview: 2010 Audi A4 allroad quattro ready for its closeup

Geneva Preview: 2010 Audi A4 allroad quattro ready for its closeup originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Feb 2009 07:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2009 Audi A4 Allroad confirms rumors

John Neff — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:54:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Wagon, Crossover, Audi

click above for more spy shots of the 2009 Audi A4 Allroad

Currently, the only vehicle in Audi's lineup that offers a go-anywhere Allroad version is the A6 Avant (wagon), but that will change soon with the addition of a smaller A4 Allroad based on the A4 Avant. Though merely a rumor early last month, an A4 Allroad is all but a lock now thanks to spy photographers who caught a mule testing in snowy Sweden. Yes, what you're looking at is the new A4 sedan, but that's only because Audi has yet to debut an A4 Avant and is using the sedan body for testing. Clearly visible is a raised ride height, grippy snow tires and thick fender flares that appear to do a good job of grabbing snow that's kicked up.

Though Audi traditionally has only ever offered its Allroad lineup in wagon form, we're totally jonesing for a sedan version now after seeing these spy shots. This A4 Allroad mule looks like a sleeper rally car that's ready to jump a drift or plow through a bank of snow at a moment's notice. Perhaps Audi should consider offering an Allroad package for the sedan, as well. We can't imagine it would take much more investment to develop alongside the wagon version.

[Photos: Brenda Priddy & Co.]

Gallery: 2009 Audi A4 Allroad - spy shots

Spy Shots: 2009 Audi A4 Allroad confirms rumors originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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