Audi Allroad Quattro
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Audi Allroad Quattro | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Audi |
| Parent company | Volkswagen Group |
| Production | 1999–present |
| Class | Mid-size crossover |
| Body style | 5-door wagon |
| Layout | Front engine, four-wheel drive |
| Related | Audi A6 |
| Similar | Subaru Outback Volvo XC70 |
| First generation | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Production | 1999–2005 |
| Engine | 2.7 L V6 Twinturbo 4.2 L V8 |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic 6-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 2755 mm (108.5 in) |
| Length | 4810 mm (189.4 in) |
| Width | 1860 mm (76.1 in) |
| Height | 1550 mm (62.7 in) |
| Ride height | Adjustable 5.5-8.3 in |
| Fuel capacity | 18.5 gal |
| Second generation | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Production | 2006–present |
| Engine | Gasoline: 3.2 V6 and 4.2 V8 L Diesel: 2.7 and 3.0 L |
| Wheelbase | 2835 mm |
| Length | 4934 mm |
| Width | 1862 mm |
| Height | 1519 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 80 L |
The Audi Allroad Quattro is a mid-size crossover SUV / station wagon produced by German automaker Audi since 2000. The Allroad Quattro remains in production for Europe, but not for North America at this time as of December 2006.
Contents |
[edit] First generation (1999-2005)
The first generation Allroad shares its platform with the second generation "C5" Audi A6 mid-size car / executive car and its rear end is almost ideantical to the A6 Avant, the station wagon version. The main differences are an advanced air suspension system, larger wheels with all-terrain tires and flared and unpainted bumpers, giving it a distinct appearance and more overall flexibility over varying terrain. Audi's quattro system is standard equipment for all versions.
[edit] Off-road capabilities
The Allroad was designed with the capability to tackle rough road conditions in mind; its standard adjustable air suspension system can lift the car high enough to provide 21 cm (8.3 in) of ground clearance and a low-range mode, absent from other quattro-equipped vehicles, can be selected with the touch of a button. When used in conjunction, the two systems made it possible for the Allroad to complete a Land Rover test-course, thus far it is the only car-based SUV that has been proven capable of doing so in testing.
Conversely, the air suspension can lower the vehicle down to only 16 cm (5.5 in) above road level and simultaneously stiffen the spring and damper rates to provide a sporty driving experience much like that of the Audi S6. Many owners choose to fit their Allroad with a sportier, road oriented tire to emphasize its sporty side, as most owners will never venture onto terrain rough enough to necessitate having a tire specifically designed for off-road conditions.[citation needed]
[edit] Engines
Audi's 2.7 L, twin-turbo V6 gasoline engine was available initially, alongside the 2.5 L TDI Diesel unit with 132 kW (180 PS) and 370 N·m (273 ft·lbf) torque. A variant of the corporate 4.2 V8 gasoline engine, shared with the A6, was made available in 2003, first in North America and later in other markets, and a less powerful TDI (163 bhp) followed in 2004.
[edit] Sales
Despite this versatility and generally positive word of mouth from owners and magazine reviews, Allroad sales failed expectations in the North American market it was originally designed for, and most of its sales came from Europe, especially its native Germany. Its somewhat high price, lack of market identity in its segment and Audi's ambiguous advertising seem to have been the primary contributing factors; buyers who tend to normally seek either the more car-like look and ride of station wagons or the larger, less ambiguous styling of sport utility vehicles tended to reject the Allroad as being too little like either.
Sales had a slight increase in 2004, due to the availability of the less expensive Diesel engine, but fell again in 2005. Audi stopped production of the Allroad in July of that year. Although the model continued to be available for sale throughout 2006 in Europe, there was no 2006 model year for North America.
[edit] Second generation (2006-present)
Audi announced the second generation Allroad in the spring of 2005 and released it in the summer of 2006. The car features again quattro four-wheel drive system and adaptive air suspension. The Allroad is powered by two FSI gasoline engines, a 3.2 L V6 and a 4.2 L V8, and two TDI engines, a 180 PS (132 kW) 2.7 L and a 233 PS (171 kW) 3.0 L. The Tiptronic gearbox is standard on the 4.2 V8 and the 2.7 TDI, but optional on the 3.2 FSI and 3.0 TDI. The suspension can be raised by up to 60 mm to provide ground clearance of 185 mm. The car features a number of off-road styling cues including larger bumpers and sills. In some European markets, the new Allroad is more expensive than the larger Q7, but air suspension is an expensive option in Q7. In its native Germany, it costs few hundred euros less than Q7.
Audi launched the Audi Q7 full-size luxury SUV in 2006, which shares its platform with the Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg. To date, the Allroad model has received critical acclaim thanks to a lower price than the larger Q7, an enjoyable driving experience, some off-road credentials and a superb quality cabin.[citation needed] A smaller and sportier Q5 is expected to be introduced to compete against compact SUVs such as the BMW X3, Acura RDX and Land Rover Freelander.
[edit] External links
| Audi | |||
|
Volkswagen | Audi | SEAT | Škoda | Bentley | Bugatti | Lamborghini Current Models: A3 · S3 · A4 · S4 · RS4 · A5 · S5 · A6 · S6 · RS6 · Allroad Quattro · A8 · TT · Q7 · R8 Historic Models: Audi F103 · Audi 50 · Audi 80/90/4000 · Audi Coupe GT · Audi coupe quattro · Audi 100/200/5000 · Audi A2 · Audi Quattro · Audi RS2 · Audi S2 · UrS4/S6 · Audi V8 Motor Racing: R8 · R10 · Sport Concept and Future Models: A1 · A7 · Allroad Quattro Concept · Avantissimo · Avus Quattro · Le Mans Quattro · Nuvolari Quattro · Pikes Peak Quattro · Q3 · Q5 · R4 · Roadjet · RSQ (from I, Robot) · Shooting Brake · Rosemeyer · R-Zero Audi Centre of Excellence | Audi Channel | Audi Driving Experience |
|||
| August Horch | Corporate website | A brand of the VW group | |
