2007 Audi A6 allroad quattro |
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| Manufacturer | Audi AG |
|---|---|
| Production | 1999–present |
| Assembly | Neckarsulm, Germany Monterrey, Mexico |
| Successor | Audi A4 Allroad |
| Class | Executive crossover Station wagon |
| Body style | 5-door estate/wagon (Avant) |
| Layout | longitudinal front engine, four-wheel drive |
| Platform | Volkswagen Group C platform series |
| Related | Audi A6 Avant |
The Audi allroad quattro and the subsequent Audi A6 allroad quattro are crossover estate executive cars, manufactured and marketed by German automaker Audi since 1999. Based on the Avant version of the Audi A6, the A6 allroad quattro remains in production for Europe, but not for North America as of December, 2010.
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Audi allroad quattro (Germany) |
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| Production | 1999-2005 |
|---|---|
| Platform | Volkswagen Group C5 platform |
| Engine | 2.5 L V6 TDI 2.7 L V6 BiTurbo 4.2 L V8 |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual 5-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 2,757 mm (108.5 in) |
| Length | 4,810 mm (189.4 in) |
| Width | 1,852 mm (72.9 in) |
| Height | 1,526 mm (60.1 in) |
The first generation allroad shares its platform with the second generation "C5" Audi A6 executive car, and its rear end is almost identical to the A6 Avant, the estate version. The main differences are an advanced air suspension system, larger wheels with all-terrain tyres, and flared and unpainted bumpers, giving it a distinct appearance and more overall flexibility over varying terrain.
Audi's trademark Torsen-based quattro permanent four-wheel drive system is standard equipment for all versions.
The Audi 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 208 mm (8 in) of ground clearance and a low-range mode [an option with manual-shift gearbox in non-USA vehicles], absent from other quattro-equipped vehicles, can be selected with the touch of a button. When used together, the two systems made it possible for the allroad to complete an official 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 142 mm (6 in) above road level, and simultaneously stiffen the spring and damper rates to provide a sporty driving experience, much like that of the conventional A6 with the sports suspension.
Audi's 2.7 L, twin-turbo V6 gasoline engine with 250 PS (184 kW; 247 hp) of power and 350 N·m (258 lb·ft) of peak torque was available initially, alongside the 2.5 L TDI diesel unit with 132 kW (180 PS) and 370 Nm (273 ft·lbf) torque. A variant of the corporate 4.2 V8 gasoline engine, shared with the Audi S4 (B6/B7), was made available in 2003, and a less powerful TDI (163 bhp) followed in 2004.
Despite this versatility and generally positive word of mouth from owners and magazine reviews, allroad sales failed expectations in the North American market for which it was originally intended. Oddly, 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. The poor reputation for reliability and high repair cost of the air suspension system on the C5 generation has not helped.
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.
| Production | 2006 - present |
|---|---|
| Platform | Volkswagen Group C6 platform |
| Engine | Petrol engines: 3.0 V6 supercharged FSI 3.2 V6 FSI 4.2 V8 FSI Diesel engines: 2.7 V6 TDI 3.0 V6 TDI |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual 6-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 2,833 mm (111.5 in) |
| Length | 4,934 mm (194.3 in) |
| Width | 1,862 mm (73.3 in) |
| Height | 1,519 mm (59.8 in) |
Audi announced the second generation allroad in the spring of 2005 and released it in the summer of 2006. This new model is called the Audi A6 allroad quattro (unlike the previous version, which was merely called Audi allroad quattro, with no reference to the A6 nomenclature).
The Audi A6 allroad quattro again features adaptive air suspension and new quattro permanent four-wheel drive system. The A6 allroad is powered by a choice of two Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) petrol engines, a 3.2 L V6 and a 4.2 L V8, and two TDI diesel 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 new 6-speed tiptronic transmission system converts high-torque engine power into both sporty performance and operating convenience, with crisp, fast gear changes. Advanced electronics respond efficiently to all driver input in both D (Drive) and S (Sport) programmes, helping to prevent unwanted upshifts when cornering. The five-mode air suspension can be raised by up to 60 mm (2.36 in) to provide ground clearance of 185 mm (7.28 in) which is better than the older four-mode. The car features a number of off-road styling cues including larger bumpers and sills.
In some European markets, the new A6 allroad quattro is more expensive than the larger Audi Q7, but air suspension is an expensive option in the Q7. In its native country, Germany, it costs a few hundred Euros less than the Q7.
The second generation is currently not available in North America, most likely due to competition from Audi's own Q5 and Q7 SUVs.
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