With its permanent all-wheel drive and increased ground clearance, the Audi A4 can handle any road or trail; it also offers driving pleasure - even on unpaved surfaces. Naturally, the Audi A4 allroad quattro features all the innovative technologies which impart to the A4 model line its superiority: a range of powerful and highly energy-efficient engines, Audi drive select (intelligent handling technology), the high-tech S tronic transmission, and innovative communication and assistance systems. The vehicle will be available in early summer at a basic price of 37,100 euros.
The design of the Audi A4 allroad quattro recalls the Audi A4 Avant: crisp lines enclose tastefully curved surfaces and the low roof line establishes a coupé-like silhouette. Striking details re-interpret this model line's sporty elegance. The moon-gray single-frame radiator grille bears vertical chrome strips; an accentuated bumper and large air inlets underscore this vehicle's unique identity. Chrome rings encircle the fog lights. And in the option featuring xenon plus headlights, light-emitting diodes comprise the daytime running lights and taillights. Underneath the front end and tail end, the A4 allroad has a stainless-steel underbody guard.
Interior
Refined touches, uncompromising quality and flawless functionality: the interior of the Audi A4 allroad quattro embodies all the strengths for which Audi is renowned. The cockpit clearly serves the driver. Among the control unit's highlights: the standard electromechanical handbrake - which has replaced the lever on the center console with a button - and the central on-board monitor. A color display complements the concert or symphony sound system, or the MMI navigation system plus; the MMI's offset control unit is housed in the center console.
Customers can choose one of several different trim materials: an exclusive allroad fabric, two types of leather, or an Alcantara/leather combination. The fabric designs are available in two colors and the leather trim in seven colors (two of which feature sporty contrasting stitching). Standard inlays are micrometallic platinum; options include aluminum trigon, natural fine-grain ash, laurel nutmeg, and walnut brown. Carpeting is made of velour; the headlining is star silver, linen beige, or black (optional). Many of the operating controls gleam thanks to their standard aluminum look; the door sill trims bear special allroad logos.
The Engines
Audi will initially offer three different engines for the Audi A4 allroad quattro: a gasoline engine and two diesel engines. All three are turbocharged direct-fuel-injection engines. They command respect due to excellent performance, impressive pulling power, smooth running, and high fuel efficiency. The engines are further bolstered by pioneering technologies arising from Audi's modular efficiency expertise. For example, all three units boast a standard on-board recuperation system, which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy during deceleration.
The Driveline
The 2.0 TDI transmits its power to a six-speed manual transmission. The 3.0 TDI and 2.0 TFSI feature the next generation of Audi's dynamic and very efficient S tronic. This innovative dual-clutch transmission switches extremely smoothly among its seven gears within a few hundredths of a second. S tronic also excels thanks to its high efficiency ratio and a broad spread of the gear ratios. The seven-speed S tronic has a fully automatic mode at the ready: the driver can shift as required, if necessary via shift paddles on the steering wheel.
The differential is in front of the clutch and immediately behind the engine. This technical stroke of genius made it possible to reposition the front axle much closer to the vehicle's front end, in turn allowing for a long wheelbase and an ideal distribution of the axle loads. The benefits include steady straight-line stability, superb ride comfort, and excellent driving dynamics.
The Audi A4 allroad quattro features quattro permanent all-wheel drive as standard equipment. Its purely mechanical center differential favors the rear, distributing power at a 40:60 ratio to the front and rear axle. If necessary, the quattro permanent all-wheel drive can route up to 65 percent to the front or as much as 85 percent toward the tail end.
The Chassis
The width of the Audi A4 allroad quattro lays the foundation for its driving dynamics. The car's track is 1,583 mm (62.32 in.) at the front and 1,574 mm (61.97 in.) at the rear - some 20 mm (0.79 in.) wider, respectively, than the A4 Avant. The body is higher on account of a new chassis with longer springs, which - like the new shock absorbers - combine sportiness with comfort. The standard, 17-inch lightweight alloy wheels are fitted with 225/55 tires. At a diameter of 690 millimeters (27.17 inches), even this standard configuration looks rather imposing. For the time being, Audi is also offering 18-inch wheels.
The chassis in the Audi A4 allroad quattro retains all the advantages which distinguish the A4 model line. Steering is straightforward and responsive. A steering box beneath the wheel conveys the driver's input directly to the wheels. The five-link front suspension and the self-tracking trapezoidal-link rear suspension consist largely of aluminum to reduce unsprung weight. 16-inch brakes with excellent cooling behavior provide for rapid deceleration. It should come as no surprise that the Audi A4 allroad quattro offers sportiness, comfort, and stability - onroad and offroad. After all, it is an A4.
On rough terrain, the Audi A4 allroad quattro relies on a high-tech feature of its Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP): the Offroad Detection (ORD) technology automatically identifies the type of driving surface and adjusts the ESP's control parameters accordingly. When the driver depresses the gas pedal, ESP increases propulsive power by tolerating more wheel spin than otherwise. If necessary, it will override for a time in the interests of safety.
On paved roads, Audi drive select further enhances the joys of driving. This control system automatically and perfectly adapts the personality of the Audi A4 allroad quattro to the driver's preferences. Audi drive select namely evaluates the engine's throttle response, the Servotronic power steering, and S tronic's shift points in automatic mode. The driver can freely switch among three different engine maps: comfortable, standard, and sporty. And MMI navigation plus provides yet another on-board control option, and is individually programmable.
The Audi drive select can be paired with Audi dynamic steering. It consists of a superimposed gear system, and varies the steering ratio as well as steering assistance in a continuously variable manner. Audi drive select functions directly at low speeds and indirectly at high speeds. At the vehicle's cornering limit, the dynamic steering keeps the Audi A4 allroad quattro on course via split-second corrective actions - subsequently obviating extensive ESP intervention.
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