Audi lands new allroad models
Big $6000 price cut for all-new high-riding A6 luxury wagon; mild update for A4-based baby brotherAudi Australia has released a new 2015 allroad quattro range, including a pair of rugged, high-riding luxury wagons pitched at adventurous buyers unconvinced by typical SUVs.
Priced from $70,500 for the A4 allroad and $111,900 for the A6 allroad, the five-seat wagons are claimed to combine the practicality of an SUV but the dynamics of a regular car.
Now full-time models in the Audi range after being limited-run models in years' past, the A4 allroad is now $600 more expensive than before and merely an updated model with tweaks to the engine and equipment list.
The A6 allroad 'hero model', however, is all-new and now positioned as the only avant (wagon) in Audi's Australian A6 line-up, except the bahn-storming RS6 super-wagon.
More efficient and safer but less powerful and slower to 100km/h than the model it replaces, the new A6 allroad benefits from a $6000 price cut and is propelled by an upgraded 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 that consumes 5.6L/100km — down from 6.3L/100km.
The V6 diesel engine is hooked up to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, features engine idle-stop functionality to save fuel and carbon dioxide emissions have been reduced from 165 to just 149g/km as the engine gains Euro 6 compatibility, making it as 'clean' as some 2.0-litre engines.
Performance is rated at 160kW and 500Nm — 20kW and 80Nm down on its predecessor — making the vehicle just over half a second slower 100km/h, in 6.6 seconds.
The A6 allroad has considerably more ground clearance than regular cars at 185mm and boasts adaptive air suspension with four settings. As such, it can drop its ride height down to 125mm to improve aerodynamic (and fuel) efficiency.
The quattro AWD system is another important element of the vehicle's off-road prowess and apportions torque 40:60 between front and rear axles when cruising but can split up to 75 per cent of torque to the front and 85 per cent to the rear when necessary.
Other functions include hill descent control but there's no low-range ratios for low-speed rock-hopping.
Boasting a new look that matches the recently updated Audi A6 including sharper headlights and brake lights and a wider single-frame grille, the allroad adds plastic wheel-arch extensions and stainless steel underbody protection.
The cargo hold is slightly larger when the rear seats are in place, at 565 litres, which expands to 1680 litres with the rear seats folded flat – down slightly from the previous models' 1685 litres.
All A6 allroads come standard with a powered tailgate, more advanced infotainment system with integrated Google Maps satellite-navigation, LED headlights, 19-inch alloy wheels, quad-zone climate-control, active lane assist, side assist, Milano leather seat trim, powered front seats, digital radio and 360-degree parking cameras.
Optional techno goodies include matrix LED headlights that can maintain high beams at all times by tracking approaching cars and reducing the intensity of the LED beam directed at them, adding $2300.
There's also a panoramic sunroof ($2980), Bose surround-sound system ($1950) and full body paint ($1450).
Audi says A6 allroad sales are not huge, with just 155 vehicles finding homes in 2013 – the model's last full year on sale. It claims owners are incredibly loyal and exclusivity is guaranteed with predicted sales to remain relatively steady at around just 10 or 12 vehicles per month.
Like its bigger brother, the Audi A4 allroad comes in one trim level and features a higher ride height than the regular A4 wagon (now 180mm), plus it gets a more powerful 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine that uses less fuel.
The smaller allroad is also around $40,000 cheaper than the A6 allroad.
Developing 140kW and 400Nm -- up 10kW and 20Nm respectively -- the revised A4 allroad uses 5.6L/100km, which is a reduction of almost half a litre per 100km. It's paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission as standard.
Although there are no cosmetic changes, the updated A4 allroad features similar body cladding and underbody protection as its A6 namesake, and is likewise slightly wider and taller than its donor car.
Equipment highlights include front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, tri-zone climate-control, leather appointed upholstery, xenon headlights and electric front seats. A powered tailgate is offered as an option.
Audi says the allroad models represent an alternative to Audi's hugely-popular range of 'Q' SUVs, such as the Q3 and Q5, by offering car-like driving with SUV capability. Head over to the reviews section to see what we thought of the German brand's newest allroads.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
