Audi Allroad returns in 2012

[haven]

Audi is bringing back the Allroad wagon for 2012. This time, the Allroad will be based on the Audi A4 Avant. No air suspension for 2012, but the Allroad will have extra ground clearance.

USA and Canada get the Allroad with the corporate 2.0L turbo four cylinder gas engine (258 ft-lbs of torque) and 8 speed Tiptronic transmission. The rest of the world can choose Audi's V6 diesel, producing 369 ft-lbs. The new Allroad weighs about 3800 lbs, and will cost almost $40,000.

Driving impressions are appearing online
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/14/2012-audi-a4-allroad-quattro-first-drive-review/#continued

Or you can choose a Subaru Outback wagon with naturally aspirated flat 6. Same torque as the Audi turbo gas motor, and the Outback weighs 500 lbs less. Price is also much less.

 

[RealJon]

8 gears? Thats a bit much dont ya think?

Reminds me of Clarkson driving the a slushbox Lexus on Top Gear. I cant find the clip but it was quiet funny.

 

[haven]

Here are photos of the Audi A4 Allroad at the Detroit Auto Show
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/audi-a4-allroad-detroit-2012-photos/#photo-4729776/

 

[Viggen]

Not really an allroad. Its more just a regular avant with body cladding.

I had an allroad and the off road ESP, air suspension, cladding and protection make an allroad.

 

[addicted56]

That is sad. I have almost pounced on the old all-road many times. Especially the V8. I think it would stand a chance with the diesel but I agree...buy a Subaru.

 

[GroupSe7en]

Missed this thread - how?

My impression, after seeing the pics, is that they should have called it the "Mallroad".

Sad.

Cheers,
Mark

 

[greenmeanie]

My wife had a 2001 C5 allroad in the US. It was a vry nice feature loaded car which made a great ski vehicle. The air suspension had the same issues with air bags wearing out that all vehicles that use them have. Other than that it was a lot of fun and a great long distance cruiser. The 'off road belly armour' was really just trim with some extra protection for the rear suspension arms and hoses/pipes routed on the underside.

My wife now runs a 2010 A4 allroad 4 banger with a 6 speed manual. Its a very nice car. It is a great ski vehicle. It copes with snow just as well as the old luxobarge. Even although the A4s have been getting bigger it doesn't have the same room as the old C5s, especially noticeable in the rear seats. Fuel economy is much, much better. It handles much better and is less floaty in the bends.

While a lot of owners liked the variable height suspension I think Audi also realised it caused a lot of maintenance headaches and most owners didn't really use it so they went with coils for the A4. I think the A6 still has some variable height but I haven't looked closely at them to know how it is done. Even with just the coils the A4 allroad will go just about anywhere I'd take a car. I've got Land Rovers to take care of the rest.

 

[TRegasaurus]

Still though, i like the looks. Since VW quit making the Passat Wagon our eyes shifted to Audi.

 

[NothingClever]

I loved our Audi. However, when Mommy Dearest was left to her own devices and forgot to have the timing belt changed and it did a little dance amongst the valve guide rods, the repair cost was staggering (over U$D4k back in 2003). I bought a Subaru Outback after that and am happily ever after enjoying the dark side.

 

[Viggen]

Still though, i like the looks. Since VW quit making the Passat Wagon our eyes shifted to Audi.

I prefer the Passat Alltrack...which we wont be getting here at all. They killed the wagon like you said (although the Passat sedan is made in the Tenn).

My allroad was fun but it was a maintenance nightmare so I sold it and bought an Outback. No where near as fast or comfortable but did the same stuff more reliably and cheaper. Fiance has an '12 Outback Limited and its damn nice.

 

[Jakes01234]

as an audi fan and owner... im still excited to see they brought it back no matter how much of a MALLROAD it now may be.. im a big wagon fan so i always like when any manufacturer releases one..
But i do wish it would be in the a6 category for some extra room and that new 3.0 they have..