Audi allroad quattro

Infobox Automobile


name = Audi allroad quattro
manufacturer = Audi AG
parent_company = Volkswagen Group
aka = allroad, A6 allroad
production = 1999–present
assembly = Neckarsulm, Germany
predecessor =
successor =
class = Mid-size luxury car/crossover
body_style = 5-door Avant estate car/station wagon
layout = Front engine,
quattro permanent four-wheel drive
platform = Volkswagen Group C platform series
related = Audi A6 Avant

The Audi allroad quattro is a mid-size executive car; an estate car/station wagon, produced by German automaker Audi since 2000, and was based on the existing Audi A6 Avant. The allroad quattro remains in production for Europe, but not for North America as of December 2006.__TOC__

1st generation: (C5) allroad quattro (1999-2005)

Infobox Automobile generation
name = Audi (C5) allroad quattro


production = 1999 - 2005
engine = 2.5 L V6 TDI
2.7 L V6 Twinturbo
4.2 L V8
wheelbase = auto in|108.5|0
length = auto in|189.4|0
width = auto in|76.1|0
height = 2000-02: auto in|60.1|0
2003-05: auto in|62.0|0
ground_clearance = Adjustable 139.7-210.8 mm (5.5-8.3 in)
fuel_capacity = Convert|70|L|usgal impgal|1
platform = Volkswagen Group C5 platform
transmission = 5-speed automatic
6-speed manual

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 identical 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 Torsen-based quattro permanent four-wheel drive system is standard equipment for all versions. It is believed that Audi introduced the allroad due to the success of the Subaru Outback,Fact|date=May 2008 however on a larger platform and with a larger, more powerful engine.

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 Auto mm|208|0 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 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 Auto mm|142|0 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. 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. Fact|date=March 2007

Engines

Audi's 2.7 L, twin-turbo V6 gasoline engine with Auto PS|250|0 of power and Auto Nm|350|0 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, first in North America and later in other markets, and a less powerful TDI (163 bhp) followed in 2004.

ales

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.

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.

2nd generation: (C6) A6 allroad quattro (2006-present)

Infobox Automobile generation
name = Audi (C6) A6 allroad quattro


production = 2006 - present
engine = "Petrol/Gasoline:"
3.2 V6 and 4.2 V8 L
"Diesel:"
2.7 and 3.0 L
wheelbase = auto mm|2833|0
length = auto in|194.2|0
width = auto mm|1862|0
height = auto mm|1459|0
auto mm|1519|0
fuel_capacity = Convert|80|L|usgal impgal|1
transmission = 6-speed automatic
platform = Volkswagen Group C6 platform

Audi announced the second generation allroad in the spring of 2005 and released it in the summer of 2006. This new model will be officially called Audi A6 allroad quattro (unlike the previous version, which was merely called "Audi allroad quattro", with no reference to the A6). The car features again 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 to provide ground clearance of 185 mm 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.

To date, the A6 allroad quattro 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.Fact|date=March 2007

External links

* [http://new-cars.audi.co.uk/audi-a6-allroad-quattro/ Audi UK: A6 allroad quattro microsite]