2009 Audi Allroad Quattro Reviews

IT'S back to the future for Audi, judging by its "quattro concept" car.  The stripped-down and shortened RS5 is a tribute to the legendary 1980s Quattro Sport rally car that dominated the World Rally Championship until it was banned in 1986 for being too fast.But don't visit your bank manager just yet.  Audi Australia corporate communications manager Nadine Giusti says there has been no decision made about production of a road-going version of the car unveiled at this year's Paris Motor Show."The show car does however provide many technological impulses for the development of future Audi production vehicles, and not just for the sports car segment," she says.Audi group communications, product and technology manager Josef Schlossmacher says the car will need "a business case" before the board decides to go into production.  "We will also see what the press has to say," he says.Schlossmacher has chosen the hills behind Malibu in California to give the world motoring press a tantalising taste of the concept car, which is a strong hint about how serious the company is about its future. Carsguide was the only Australian media invited to drive the one-only concept car.DESIGNIt stands with its feet apart in a plain white muscle t-shirt and tight-fit jeans revealing muscular flanks beneath.  Well, it would if it was a fit, 30-year-old stud.  Instead, it's a replica of a fit, 30-year-old rally stud.Audi strategic designer Claus Potthoff says the  concept reflects elements of the original Quattro Sport such as the horizontal black grille louvres, thick trapezoidal C pillar and recessed rear hatch and integrated spoiler, but with a modern interpretation.  For example, the spoiler now automatically deploys at 120km/h and lowers under 80km/h rather than being fixe like the original."We didn't want to do a retro model," he says."We wanted it to be modern but with the same elements that remind us of the Quattro.  It was important to get a feeling but not copy history."So, instead of the boxy Quattro Sport with its jutting Kirk Douglas chin, we have wheels in each corner and svelte aerodynamic contours.  Inside, there is a Bauhaus feeling with form following function. For a start the rear seats have been stripped out because the shortened wheelbase doesn't provide any room, but also for weight saving.Although there were rear seats in the Quattro, they were superfluous as there was simply no space for passengers' legs. The front seats are 18kg Sparco carbonfibre motorsport seats while the originals were Recaro.Yet, for all its motorsport pretensions, with its minimalist floating dash and huge LCD instrument pod, the interior abounds in soft leather, bespoke aluminium and carbonfibre everywhere, including the rearview mirror.  Project engineer Peter Seizinger says: "If it looks like carbonfibre it is carbonfibre."Is the quattro concept a taste of Audi's design future?  Potthoff says yes.  He believes the sharp lines around the headlights and grille will have a presence in future models and the simplicity of the interior will become more prevalent. He also believes the LED headlights that swivel from horizontal to vertical for varying lighting functions will also feature in future Audis.TECHNOLOGYThe concept is based on a shortened and lowered version of the magnificent RS5 but with the chassis made of aluminium instead of steel.  In tribute to the original Quattro, it has the same number of cylinders (but a 2.5-litre engine from the TTRS, not like the original 2.2) and even the same weight of 1300kg.Project engineer Peter Seizinger says those details were deliberate matched to pay homage to the rally legend.  While the concept is constructed from modern lightweight materials such as aluminium (body panels) and carbonfibre (boot and bonnet) and the inside door handle is replaced by a leather pull strap reminiscent of the original rally car, the extra lard that brings it back to the Quattro's original weight is in the modern electronics and the required wiring looms.But don't expect it to weigh that much if it goes into production as the concept car may have electric seats, windows, handbrake, etc, but it doesn't have electric wing mirrors, airconditioning or even an audio system.Yet there is an electronic flush-mounted door handle that automatically comes out when it detects a hand nearby.  Seizinger says this is just for show.VALUEIt took less than four months and "millions" to develop, says Seizinger.  He won't comment on cost if it goes into production, but says numbers should be limited to under 1000."It makes no sense to make more than that," he says.  He expects it to become an instant collector's classic with many stored and never driven.  The concept car comes with two-time world rally champion Walter Rohrl's signature on the door sills, making this particular car even more valuable.DRIVINGIt feels raw.  Strapped into the Sparco seats there is a purposeful mood to this experience.  Despite being surrounded by some soft leather and quality trim, the minimalism of the dash serves to diminish any distractions to the aim of the game - driving fast.In front of you is a large LCD instrument pod with an "everyday" mode and a "race" mode that mirrors the original's instruments and can also show GPS renderings of race circuits.Fire it up with the ominous red starter button and you immediately feel the engine vibes come up through the thin seat.  You are also aurally assaulted by the disharmonious five-potter as most of the sound deadening material is stripped out for weight saving.But despite the purposeful motorsport character of the cockpit, we are restricted to slow speeds on the test drive.  After all, says Schlossmacher: "There is only one of these in existence and we have to bring it back alive."Yet it feels special even at the relatively low speeds we are allowed on the test drive on the snaky Decker Canyon Rd winding through the hills behind Charlie Sheen's Malibu mansion in Two and a Half Men.  Highway patrol cars provide an escort and have blocked the top and bottom of the road because the car is unregistered.The lithe handling feels exciting and the steering is sensual - no numb hands here like in so many Audis.  It feels connected to the road.  The dynamic exhaust rasp and the hissing and "pigeon cooing" from the turbo's wastegate is also a delight.Unfortunately, there is no scope for testing its performance potential in the five minutes we spend driving the closed public road.  It gets the slick S5 six-speed manual gearbox which is an absolute joy to use plus the firm but fair suspension from the RS5.  The roads here are billiard-table-smooth, so it glides along with a stress-free ride.Okay, there are plenty of rattles and squeaks in the body and trim, but after all this is a priceless one-off concept car that has not had the usual rigorous pre-production testing to iron out the bugs.  However, there is a certain inevitable feel about the car that says Audi is itching to get this into production, even in limited numbers.VERDICTA board decision on the car's future will be made in the next three years.  Bring it on.AUDI QUATTRO CONCEPTEngine: 2.5-litre turbocharged FSI 5-cylinderPower: 304kWTorque: 480NmTransmission: 6-speed manual, all-wheel driveSuspension: 5-link (front), track-controlled trapezoidal link (rear)Kerb weight: 1300kgWheels: 9J x 20Tyres: 275/30 R20Audi Quattro Sport*Engine: 2144cc turbocharged in-line 5-cylinderPower: 116kWTorque: 245NmTransmission: 5-speed manual, all-wheel driveSuspension: independent MacPherson struts, staliser (front); coil springs (rear)Kerb weight: 1300kgWheels: 8J x 15Tyres: 225/50 ZR15 (* 1984 road car) 

The Audi allroad quattro is a strange vehicle.It is part of this crossover bug that is infesting the industry and producing all manner of new and unusual luxury off-roaders including the BMW X5 and X3, Volvo CX70 and CX90 and the Porsche Cayenne.But the allroad just doesn't stack up on paper.It is only a mid-sized wagon weighing 1860kg but is driven by a 4.2-litre V8 with 220kW of power and a whopping 380Nm of torque from a lowly blip of 2700 revs.Sounds like overkill, doesn't it? That is, of course, unless you load her up to the gunwales and tow a boat. Then, maybe it's just what you want – if thundering down dirt roads in a $108,900 car with luxury appointments and leather upholstery is your bag.The other strange part of the equation is the drive system and the wheels and tyres putting the motion to the ground.It has a permanent four-wheel drive system with a Torsen centre differential and traction control that provides plenty of balance and poise in slippery conditions.However, it gets that drive to the ground via sporty and impractical (for off-road conditions) 45 per cent low-profile 245mm-wide tyres.A previous test out west in April scored two flat tyres and our test driver had to limp back to Brisbane from Birdsville on the supplied space-saver spare. A space saver? How impractical is that for an off-roader?Yet, the allroad V8 is an impressive vehicle to drive around town, the highways and even when the local council has run out of blacktop.Just don't stray too far down those unsealed roads, or you may become stranded.On your favourite stretch of blacktop, it will point and shoot like a much smaller sedan.And those impractical tyres will serve well, hanging on against G forces without a howl of protest, thanks to sophisticated air suspension.The powerplant is an absolute delight: heaps of grunt, passing pace and top-end power without being overly thirsty for a V8 – 12 litres for 100km on the highway and about 15 litres around town. Most importantly, it has an idle rumble that mimics a Monaro and a kickdown growl like a GT Falcon.If you don't need all that power, there is a 2.7-litre engine for $89,900. You would also not be disappointed with the 2.5-litre common rail, direct-injected turbo diesel at a comparative bargain price of $82,900.Earlier this year, at a Bosch diesel test at Sandown racetrack in Melbourne, the 370Nm allroad TDI was beaten off the line only by the big V10 VW Touareg boasting a knockout 750Nm of torque.The Audi blitzed other diesels from BMW, Peugeot and Mercedes.After a week of posing in this impractical off-roader that looks like a miniature version of the Holden Adventra with its flared guards, I had only two complaints – the warning system and the cruise control.The warning system comes in two stages – yellow and red.I only experienced the yellow warnings – for low washer fluid and low petrol – but the piercing screech of the audio alert is almost frightening and it repeats every five-odd minutes. I would hate to hear the red alert. It must come with sirens and howling dogs.The cruise control on the lights/indicator stalk is fiddly: setting the control can accidentally switch on the indicators; flicking reset requires you to take your hand off the steering wheel unless you have a double-jointed thumb; and flicking the off switch can accidentally flick the lights to high beam.And on one occasion, I flicked the switch right off the stalk on to the floor.There are too many audio controls on the steering wheel. Take some of them off and put the cruise controls there.By the way, the audio system is a ripper with its Bose macho speakers belting out tight and crisp bass.

Take the Audi Allroad quattro 4.2. It's a "more and more and more" development from the mid-sized Audi A6, moving up through a quattro wagon to the suburbs-and-scrub of the all-road model to the latest punchy V8-engined hero car.Think of it as a very upscale Holden Adventra, or the Subaru Outback for people who want some serious squirt in the dirt for their family wagon.That's underselling the Allroad 4.2, but paints the right picture of a hugely capable work-and-play wagon, thanks to an engine that's one of the sweetest V8s in the business. It doesn't have the outright muscle of an FPV Ford or an HSV Holden, but it has more than enough to get the job done.It's much the same for the rest of the deal: an Audi wagon that comes with high-rider adjustable suspension, enough body protection for soft off-road work, a full line-up of luxury, and a badge that says the owner isn't just a member of the "me too" club who go for Benzes and BMWs.It also looks seriously tough – and needs to be to compete in a luxury four-wheel-drive scene headed by the BMW X5 and which includes everything from Hondas and Lexuses to Volkswagens, Porsches, Volvos and Jeeps.The Allroad has the advantage of a passenger-wagon-style body, not just a jacked-up square box, as well as the best cabin quality in the business in 2004. Still, it costs a hefty $108,900 – and that means it competes only with the serious luxury players in its class.The big bucks buy the bang of 220kW and 380Nm, fed through a five-speed automatic gearbox to constant all-wheel-drive, as well as everything from 18-inch alloy wheels and automatic air-conditioning to CD sound, cruise control, an in-car computer, Xenon headlamps, leather seats and wood panels, and front-side-head airbags.The Allroad idea isn't new and Audi has done relatively well with a diesel and a 2.7-litre petrol turbo. But the newcomer is part of its S-car family, which means – as have BMW's M cars and the AMG models from Benz – it has been given the sports sedan treatment.Still, it is a refined performer that Audi Australia believes will sell strongly to a small but select group of customers.ON THE ROADTHE drive time in the Allroad 4.2 was great, particularly after our recent experiences with the Holden Adventra. This is what the red lion car should be like, particularly on smoothness and operation of the automatic gearbox, but you'd expect a step change with a price double that of the homegrown machine.It also shows how the idea for the Subaru Outback can be stretched in all directions, from body size to engine capacity, while still adhering to the basic idea of a suburban family runabout that's also strong in the bush.When driving, the Audi feels like a high-rider A6 wagon with everything – including some fairly serious off-road ability, thanks to its height-adjustable suspension and the Quattro all-wheel drive. It also gets along really well, with a syrupy V8 soundtrack.Even so, we don't rate it ahead of the BMW X5. It beats a whole range or rivals – some pretty easily, including the Volvo XC70 – but it is big, heavy, expensive at the petrol pump and pretty costly.To be honest, the Audi brand still has trouble once you approach $100,000 – because of the strength of BMW and Benz, and weakness in its own secondhand support – and we're not sure whether many people want to splash out on something like the Allroad 4.2.With that out of the way, and remembering our time with the turbo-diesel model, we have to say the Allroad is a very enjoyable way to travel.It's very roomy and commendably comfortable, with all the luxury gear you could want. It would be an ideal choice for a Melbourne-Sydney run with the family aboard, particularly if you made it an adventure with side-trips into the scrub.Off the blacktop, the big Audi will cope easily with the sort of toughish stuff that is a real adventure for most owners. It will hop over rocks, run comfortably along dirt roads and tracks, and has enough ground clearance – if you want more, hit the button – to cover most obstacles.Even so, it does its best work in the city, and that's where the Allroad will make its biggest impact. It's an Outback that's been working out, as you discover whenever you floor the throttle at the lights.THE BOTTOM LINEEUROPE'S answer to the Subaru Outback, complete with V8 power and a $100,000 price.

With a triple figure price tag, it is not the kind of car that you want something to happen to, let alone get the paint scratched.Audi Australia boasts the stylish, five-seat all-wheel drive wagon has "fully-fledged off-road capabilities".But you wold be forgiven for wondering just how far that particular description will actually take this car on the dirt?One thing the Allroad has got going in its favour is the variable air suspension system that can provide increased ground clearance at the touch of a button.The Audi Allroad comes in three different flavours, 2.5 TDi diesel, twin turbo 2.7 V6 and our test vehicle the top of the range 4.2-litre V8.The sensational V8 – a totally revised version of the engine from Audi's flagship A8 limousine – develops a hard hitting 220kW of power and 380Nm of torque, the latter available between 2700 and 4600rpm.There's enough get up and go to catapult the wagon from rest ot 100km/h in just 7.2 seconds, with a top speed of 240km/h – but it feels faster than that.On the road the V8 engine delivers swift and decisive performance, with a five-speed tipshift style transmission that offers a sport setting and manual shift if desired.But with this sort of power on tap it is just as easy to leave the selector in D – the sport setting is particularly aggressive.Power is fed to all four wheels through Audi's well known Quattro all-wheel drive system (no low range), with the help of traction and stability control.At speeds over 130km/h the air suspension automatically lowers the car by 25mm, providing less wind drag and a lower centre of gravity for better handling.Off road the ride height can be raised to provide a maximum 208mm of ground clearance, up to a speed of 35km/h.In all the ride height can be varied between 142mm and 208mm, a difference of 66mm.Raising the suspension increases the overhang angle at the front to 19.5 degrees and 23 degrees at the back, with a ramp over angle of 19 degrees.These angles play an important role when it comes to crossing ditches and driving over hillocks.The greater the angle the less likelihood there is of the car bottoming out.In comparison a V8 powered BMW X5 – benchmark for the luxury softroad segment – has ground clearance of 202mm, with front and rear angles of 26 and 23 degrees and a ramp over angle of 18 degrees.If the Allroad sounds pretty good so far it is but we worry about the low profile 45 series tyres.They do not provide much of a buffer to separate the expensive rims from damage as we discovered.Fuel consumption for the V8 Allroad is a claimed 13.7L/100km overall from the 70-litre tank.But in several days of testing we achieved a figure of about 16.0L/100km.Standard equipment includes the usual luxury appoints with a kick-butt Symphony sound system.There are also airbags for the driver and front passenger, side airbags at the front and Audi's SIDEGUARD head airbag system.The Audi Allroad V8 is priced from $108,900 before on-road costs. 

The crossover car may not have the sharp road manners of a standard Audi or the go-anywhere ability of a LandCruiser.But this allroad quattro sits nicely in between.And it goes a lot further down a scrub track than some would believe. Or try.The quattro does not mind the mud, slush and rocks. It loves a quick gravel road and is a fair highway cruiser.As with others in this elite band of European all-roaders – the Mercedes-Benz ML, BMW's X5 and Volvo's Cross Country – the Audi is quite capable of heading into the far-flung west.That's provided the well-heeled explorer takes along a couple of full-sized spare tyres and arranges a forward supply of premium unleaded fuel.Whether many $100,000 wagons are bought for long, hard drives is another question.Arguably the best-looking and best-built of the fresh crop of plush off-roaders, the Audi has adjustable suspension to give up to 208mm of clearance.On full extension, the wagon's wheel and suspension travel is limited, but with a little care and attention, the all-road can be moved on without too much sweat.Off-road advantages include an excellent power-to-weight ratio and sophisticated four-wheel technology to keep the allroad rolling.The new engine is a 2.5-litre turbo diesel V6 that has 132kW of power and a healthy 370Nm of torque.It's mated to a five-speed automatic linked to Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system.The Audi uses a combination of torque-sensing differentials, electronic differential locks and four suspension settings, adjustable from the dashboard, to keep the allroad forging ahead.The wagon is loaded with leather and the like. There's a sunroof, beautiful alloy wheels, climate-control airconditioning, a trip computer, eight airbags and even a warning beeper for close parking, a device best switched off in the bush where it's likely to implode, registering rocks, trees and kangaroo grass.On the roadThe bush-grubby Audi allroad crept into the outback Queensland town of Charleville under the blanket of darkness, fellow travellers already tucked up tight at the Warrego Motel.The all-wheel-drive wagon was humming along like a diesel sewing machine. All the whistles and bells were fine but the good-looking machine was limping on a pair of sorry and sad front tyres through south-west Queensland.One was the Audi's spacesaver, with an 80kp/h limit to set an unplanned record run from Betoota, in the far corner country, to Brisbane's bright lights.The other was a badly bruised 225/55R70 F1 Goodyear Wrangler, an uncommon size out this way.The first's sidewall was sliced on a ragged rock about 170km from Birdsville, the dolt of a driver drawn to the rock like a magnet. It was out with the spacesaver, inflate it with the Audi's air compressor and move out. Steadily.With about 100km to run to the bitumen, the other front wheel hit something nasty in blinding dust as the Audi was overtaken on the run to Windorah. The rubber bubbled into a filthy boil on the side of the tyre.The gods of the roads had wreaked havoc.It is not uncommon to run into tyre trouble on this 270km stretch in and out of Birdsville. But the Audi allroad was never found wanting along the track. This is no sook.It has good ground clearance, thanks to adjustable air suspension, plenty of traction and plenty of performance from an engaging turbo-charged V6.While this diesel may need a little prod around town to get on the boost, it is a seamless operator at road speed, aided by a smooth auto transmission.And all the while, even at a frustrating 80kp/h cruise home, the Audi was quiet and comfortable, even serene.The stereo system is a boomer, though FM radio reception may be stronger in other wagons.The only rattles, even along tyre-chewing tracks, were CD cases rocking together in the door pockets.Ride comfort, sometimes a little firm around town, was excellent over blistered bitumen, corrugated dirt roads and sandy desert straights.The Audi sat up one suspension setting on the dirt and gravel tracks, enough for decent clearance.The tail moved around a little on the dirt, yet was always in control.On the roads out to the border country, when the rubber was fresh and round, the allroad ran swiftly and smartly, cruising at 110kp/h down dirt or tar.Electric adjustments for the leather-covered front seats, decent airconditioning and a very readable set of instruments help make these long-distance hauls easier and more comfortable.The allroad did the trip at little more than 10 litres per 100km.The better economy was on the trip home, rolling along quietly into the long night, gently dodging the roos to save bruised rubber, trying to move over to let faster vehicles (read everyone else) through.Two days after the nastiness on the Birdsville road, the Audi rolls smartly into Brisbane, almost 1500km since the first tyre went.It had covered 3500km all up in what seemed as easy as A to B – Audi to Birdsville – much of this through remote territory 1700km out of Brisbane. It was always willing.Running an Audi allroad to Birdsville and relying on the spacesaver spare tyre was foolhardy. But it showed the Audi wagon to be a safe and sure long-haul machine, quite happy to tackle a decent bit of big sky country.And it proved a spacesaver tyre, treated nicely, could last the distance.