Autoblog

New York: 2010 Subaru Outback has its muklucks on

Chris Paukert — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Wagon, Crossover, Subaru

2010 Subaru Outback - Click above for high-res image gallery

Yesterday, Subaru unveiled its new Legacy sedan, a vehicle that is pivotal not just in its own right, but because it also forms the basis for the softroader stiltswagon seen here. It only makes sense that Subaru chose to unveil its new Outback here this morning, as the very first model debuted here in the Big Apple some 15 years ago.

Predictably, the all-wheel drive Outback's running gear remains pure Legacy, and as such, it has grown similarly. Interior volume is up eight percent thanks in part to a 2.8-inch longer wheelbase (which also adds nearly four inches of rear legroom) and a two-inch wider footprint. Despite these gains, Subie officials claim the 2010 model is actually shorter overall. It also rides a bit higher, with ground clearnce swelling to 8.7 inches. Not only is this growth part of a strategy to combat upsized family sedans from Toyota, Honda, Chevrolet and Mazda, the move also allows the Outback to distance itself from popular Forester that also got biggie-sized with its last redesign.

The new model will be available in the buyer's choice of a 2.5-liter, normally aspirated flat-four giving 170 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque (backed by one of two new transmissions: a six-speed manual or Subie's "Lineartronic" CVT) or a 3.6-liter flat-six (256 hp and 247 pound-feet) paired to a conventional five-speed automatic. Regardless of which engine is specified, the fuel tank grows to 18.5 gallons (from 16.9), and regular fuel is all that's required.

Follow the jump for more, including Subaru's official press release, and check out the new Outback in our high-res gallery below.

Gallery: New York: 2010 Subaru Outback

Gallery: 2010 Subaru Outback

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New York: 2010 Subaru Outback has its muklucks on originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 11:30:00 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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Spy Shots: Saab 9-3X spotted up close

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Wagon, Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, Saab

The Saab ~~allroad~~ 9-3X is a SportCombi on stilts wearing a few new clothes. In addition to more generous clearance afforded by the vertically enhanced suspension, the Volvo XC70-fighter will don plenty of cladding, whopping pipes out back, and it will utilize the services of a Haldex all-wheel-drive system to conquer inclement conditions.

Unless Saab decides to create an Aero edition that will use the 2.8-liter V6, the 210 horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter might be the only engine on offer in the U.S. initially. No price has been mentioned, either, but with the 9-3 SportCombi XWD running $38,585, that's probably a good place to start working your way up. We'll see the car at next month's Geneva Motor Show, and it is expected on sale later this year.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Spy Shots: Saab 9-3X spotted up close originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Feb 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2010 Audi A4 Allroad

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Wagon, Crossover, Audi

A lot of American consumers were disappointed when the Audi Allroad was sent to the guillotine in 2005. Based on the A6 Avant, the Allroad's positioning as a more-than-a-wagon, less-than-an-SUV made it a versatile performer, but middling sales meant that U.S. consumers never got a crack at the second-generation model available overseas since 2006.

Judging by this newest prototype and a similar one spied back in February, it appears that the current Allroad will get an A4 Avant-based kid brother. Spy shots show a such a car testing in the kind of latitude that is home to the A4 Avant's primary competition, Volvo's XC70, not to mention the Saab 9-3X that's right around the corner. With everyone going back to the 'small ball' playbook for a while, maybe Audi has the timing right this time. The only question now is: will it come to the States?

Gallery: 2009 Audi A4 Allroad - spy shots

[Source: EVO]

Spy Shots: 2010 Audi A4 Allroad originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Enter the Rumormill: Audi A4 Allroad Quattro

Noah Joseph — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Crossover, Audi

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]

Enter the Rumormill: Audi A4 Allroad Quattro originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jan 2008 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris Motor Show: ?koda Octavia Scout

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Paris Motor Show, Crossover, Volkswagen

As our man Alex Nunez said when he covered the preview press release at the beginning of this month, the Škoda Octavia Scout is based on the Volkswagen Golf Mk. V. It's a new small wagon derivative from Škoda that sits 16mm higher than the regular Octavia Combi 4x4.

It features unpainted bumpers, fender flares and side skirts, and skidplates front and rear, to make it look like its corporate cousin, the Audi Allroad. Not a bad start and the finish ain't bad either. The tail is reminiscent of the Porsche Cayenne, with a similar rear glass angle and tail lamps that look like 3/4-scale versions of those on the Porsche. Beefy tires on 17" five-spoke wheels add just the right stance to give this thing street trail cred.

Engines are the 140-hp 2.0 TDI or a 150-horse 2.0 FSI gas option. The Octavia Scout uses Škoda's version of VW's 4Motion system to make it at least somewhat trail-worthy. It should reach Škoda showrooms early in 2007. Similar in some ways to the newly announced VW Tiguan, hopefully the U.S. will get a Scout-like option package as smart as this Škoda.

(Paris and press photos, press release after the jump)

[Source: Škoda]

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Paris Motor Show: ?koda Octavia Scout originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Sep 2006 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Audi Q5

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 19:53:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Europe, Crossover, Audi

With the Q7 doing pretty well for Audi dealers, it shouldn't come as a big surprise that the automaker's working on another SUV to go up against BMW's smaller X3. Here we offer spy shots of that upcoming model, to be dubbed Q5 when it hits showrooms in early 2008. Hans Lehmann over at Hidden Image speculates that this model appears to be sitting on a platform using parts from both the A4 and A6, making the Q5 name at least sensible.

Styling should follow the Q7 model but in something like 3/4 scale. Probably no third row seating either. Having both the Q5 and an Allroad in the same lineup might seem a bit redundant though, so perhaps the latter is not long for the U.S. market. Lehmann also maintains that drivetrains will most likely be borrowed from the (recently freshened) Touareg and utilize Audi's Quattro system providing rear-biased all-wheel drive. Follow the link for more full-size shots and an artist's rendering.

[Source: Winding Road]

Spy Shots: Audi Q5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Sep 2006 19:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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?koda Octavia Scout: Baby Allroad, Czech-style

Alex Nunez — Sat, 02 Sep 2006 17:56:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Europe, Paris Motor Show

Click to enlarge

One upcoming Paris debut that caught our eyes is the new Škoda Octavia Scout. Based on the Volkswagen Golf MkV, the Octavia Scout is a small wagon whose ride height is 16mm higher than that of the regular Octavia Combi 4x4.

Its unpainted bumpers, fender flares and side skirts, combined with skidplates fore and aft, scream "AUDI ALLROAD," and if you ask us, that's a good thing. The rear view is very reminiscent of the Porsche Cayenne, thanks to a rear glass angle and taillamps that look like they were lifted from the Porsche SUV, shrunken down, and applied here. The thing is, they look better on the Scout. Beefy 17" five-spoke wheels add to the car's attractive yet commanding presence.

Underhood, a 140-hp 2.0 TDI with particulate filter or a 150-horse 2.0 FSI provide motivation. Power goes to the ground via Škoda's version of VW's 4Motion system. In keeping with its off-road theme, there's even a passenger grab handle in the cabin. This is a nice package all around, and we have to wonder if a Jetta-ized version would look nearly as good as its Škoda cousin. We'd take this car -- as is -- in a heartbeat.

(Rear view, press release after the jump)

[Source: Skoda]

Continue reading ?koda Octavia Scout: Baby Allroad, Czech-style

?koda Octavia Scout: Baby Allroad, Czech-style originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 02 Sep 2006 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHTSA eyeing potential safety issues with Audi, Ford, Chrysler & Toyota

Chris Paukert — Sat, 04 Mar 2006 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Maintenance, Minivan/Van, Sedan, SUV, Truck

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is taking a second look at Audi A6-family models. Last March, the agency recalled some 173,000 A6, S6, and Allroad models after reports of dashboard fires, but it has since heard of more incidents, and is thus revisiting the issue.

NHTSA is also checking in to some 700,000 Ford Super Duties (MY 1999-2001) after 31 complaints of stalling engines that resulted in three low-speed accidents.

In addition to the potentially leak-prone gas tanks NHTSA announced it was investigating on Tuesday, NHTSA is reviewing an existing recall of approximately 38,000 2004 Chrysler Pacificas, also due to stalling engines. The agency has received 60 complaints covering 2004-2006 examples, so it is re-opening the books on the problem.

Finally, NHTSA is turning its gaze to 2004-2005 Toyota Siennas equipped with run-flat tires after 12 owners complained that the tire pressure warning system failed to do its thing.

[Source: Associated Press via Los Angeles Times]

NHTSA eyeing potential safety issues with Audi, Ford, Chrysler & Toyota originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Mar 2006 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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