Audi A6 C8 allroad

The Audi A6 allroad is now based on the same underpinnings as the latest C8 A6 range and this new generation offers the same stuff that you get from today's Audi A6, now in an increased ground clearance and some extra cladding to make it look rugged and outgoing like a cameraman going out on the woods for some wildlife photography.

2020 Audi A6 allroad

It's been two decades since the original Audi allroad quattro went on sale and with the advent of the latest generation, the Audi A6 allroad continues to blend the right balance between the ruggedness of an SUV and the riding comfort of a luxury car, or be it an Audi A6 Avant perhaps, making this sport utility wagon one step ahead of the rest, although this new model wants to play hide and seek against the Mercedes E-Class All Terrain, which is its main rival.

With prices start at 61,500 Euros plus taxes and delivery, the new A6 allroad is surprisingly more expensive than the Mercedes E-AT and because it's an Audi, most speedo boys would be better off with the Mercedes instead because Audis are like the antithesis in the German luxury car wars. They're like sober people who went out from their rehabs and behave with all of the good manners and right conduct intended.

2020 Audi A6 allroad interior

Speaking of good manners and right conduct, the new A6 allroad is surprisingly an Audi A6 Avant with some increased ground clearance and some extra cladding to make it look rugged and dependable and because it's based on the A6 Avant, you can expect boot space fit enough for your mountain bike and some camping essentials on the trip to one of Europe's most scenic landscapes for your healing vlog purposes.

Under the hood, this sport utility wagon never learned a bit because the new A6 allroad is powered by a 3.0L TDi engine paired with a mild hybrid system, with the highest bearing 350PS of power and 700Nm of torque. Mated to an 8-speed AT, it is capable of going 0-100kph in 5.2 seconds and electronically limited to 250kph. I know that most Europeans are not welcomed but considering how much power and torque the top-end A6 allroad possess, that's something you would really want to play tug of war against the E-Class All Terrain and because it can tow up of 2.5 tons, it's capable of towing caravans, which is going to be a menace for speedo boys everywhere. Who cares? You're in an Audi, of course, and the A6 allroad is the perfect caravane people's car to cause so much misery for the speedo boys, unless if they are fighting like tigers in a battle.

On the road, the A6 allroad works like an Audi A6 Avant, especially when it comes with a wide array of driving assists, but when taken off the road, it really is like a bear in a battle when the adaptive air suspension is raised to make it more enjoyable on the dirt, although not intended to be taken out for cross-country purposes like every crossover drivers heard of today. Because it comes with the Audi drive select offroad mode, the new A6 allroad really works like an elephant in the room and this is going to be one of the most enjoyable allroad you can try if you can afford the massive pricetag.

From tarmac, gravel, and snow, the all-new Audi A6 allroad is now worthy enough to follow the footsteps of the original allroad quattro 20 years ago and whether you love it or hate it, this sport utility vehicle is the ideal antidote for those who are raging against crossovers but don't worry because this is just a station wagon disguised as a crossover and you should thank Audi for that, whatever it takes.

Photo: Audi AG

Audi A4 (B9) allroad

Now, let's talk sport utility wagons. Sure, they maybe classified as crossovers just as what compact hatchback-based ones did, but in reality, they're really station wagons with some added claddings on the outside as well as added ground clearance to make it look tough and rugged but in general, they're just part of their daily routine. Even luxury car companies got mixed into them to sell sport utility wagons to those who believe that a normal station wagon just isn't enough to satisfy their everyday lifestyles.

2017 Audi A4 allroad

One such example of how luxury car companies selling such kind of wagons designated as crossovers is this; the brand new Audi A4 allroad. First and foremost, this is basically an Audi A4 B9 Avant, only this time with some added cladding to look tough and rugged as well as the added ground clearance to make it sound adventurous when taken on the great outdoors. With prices start at 41,700 Euros, that's about over ten grand more than its Avant equivalent but that doesn't stop them from having one of these in their garage right now. Although costly to own than the Avant, it's priced for those who couldn't afford the A6 allroad.

2017 Audi A4 allroad interior

For a tougher side of the A4 Avant, the new A4 allroad with its clever stuff lurking underneath its rugged looks really makes it very capable to handle almost any kind of road conditions as long as the mud isn't problematic enough to get the others stuck on the road and the frozen roads isn't slippery enough to turn them into figure skaters. On normal roads, it behaves like a saloon; comfortable but a little less exciting to soothe your brows all the way home, but when taken to a leisurely ride on the great outdoors, it's all business as usual even when it has unfinished business to deal with.

2017 Audi A4 allroad

There are numerous versions available on the new Audi A4 allroad but the most powerful version is obviously the one with the 3.0L TDi engine with the 8-speed gearbox, a first for the A4 allroad. It produces 272PS of power and 600Nm of torque. It can go from 0-100kph in 5.5 seconds and electronically limited to 250kph. Sounds quick for a crossover but it can be somewhat idiotic and irrelevant for a car that has a sweet spot lying in deceit for the kids in the back. Speaking of the sweet spot, rest assured that it wasn't meant to be a family car because if you have three kids and readying the child seats, you might ruin someone's "sweet spot" for the heck of it. Although this five seater wasn't meant to be used for family trips, the A4 allroad is a fitting for the outdoorsman going into the woods and with that spacing on the back, it fits most of the leisurely stuff an outdoorsman would go for such as hiking, biking, fishing, camping, or even hunting wild animals. Whichever floats their kayak, the A4 allroad is a luxury crossover wagon fit for almost anything through the ends of the earth.

Tempting? Well, if you got some extra cash and if you believe that the A4 Avant wasn't enough, best to buy one right now before anyone else would because crossovers are all the rage right now.

Photo: Audi AG

Audi A6 allroad quattro (C7)

Using the Audi A6 (C7) Avant as its foundation for the flagship sport utility wagon, the new 2013 Audi A6 allroad quattro is more of an all-rounder for the men in suits who love adventures across Europe because when the asphalt ends, it just keeps on driving. Indeed this was made to be all work, all play, all show, and all go, well sort of.

2013 Audi A6 allroad quattro

On the outside, it looks more like the A6 Avant but with some credentials that what makes this crossover, a crossover. The wheel well edges, the bumpers and the sills are painted in a contrasting color. Audi also offers a full paint finish in combination with the optional aluminum exterior package. To differentiate from the original A6 to the A6 allroad quattro was the grille because the linings are more vertical than what you've expect, just like the previous A6 allroad.

2013 Audi A6 allroad quattro interior

2013 Audi A6 allroad quattro interior

On the A6 allroad's interior, you would expect the carpeting and the instrument panel, which are black throughout. You would also expect the interior color Santos Brown, available optional aluminum inlays, aluminum door sill trims and are emblazoned with "allroad." You would still expect some wondrous conveniences such as the MMI Navigation plus with touchpad operation, voice control, Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System with 15 speakers, and the available Wi-Fi Hotspot that takes full advantage of mobile devices that connects to the internet like the iPhone, great if you want your iPhone go foursquare-ing while riding inside the new A6 allroad.

2013 Audi A6 allroad quattro

One TFSI gasoline engine and three TDI diesel engines are the kind of engines offered on the new A6 allroad quattro. First off, the 3.0 TFSI engine produces 228 kW (310 hp) and 440 Nm (324.53 lb-ft) of torque. It can go 0-100kph in 5.9 seconds and top speed, like most others, 250kph. Those three diesel types? Let's narrow it down, shall we? The three variants of the 3.0 TDI engine generates 150 kW (204 hp), 180 kW (245 hp) and 230 kW (313 hp); torque values are 450, 580 and 650 Nm (331.90, 427.79 and 479.42 lb-ft). The entry-level variant consumes on average just 6.1 liters of fuel per 100 km (38.56 US mpg), corresponding to 159 g CO2/km (255.89 g/mile). The powerful version of the 3.0 TDi comes with the seven-speed double clutch S tronic for quicker shifting if the driver initiates manual mode. The Audi A6 allroad will never be this without the quattro permanent four-wheel drive system with torque vectoring.

In the new Audi A6 allroad quattro, the driver can take advantage of the Audi drive select system where the settings will alter the steering, the air suspension, the gas pedal, the automatic transmission, the sport differential, the automatic air conditioning, the lighting and the adaptive cruise control. The adaptive air suspension lowers the body by 15 millimeters (0.59 in) at high speed and raises it by 35 millimeters (1.38 in) at the push of a button.

Available colors are Brillantschwarz, Ibisweiß, Eissilber Metallic, Gletscherweiß Metallic, Dakotagrau Metallic, Havannaschwarz Metallic, Javabraun Metallic, Mondscheinblau Metallic, Oolonggrau Metallic, Phantomschwarz Perleffekt, Granatrot Perleffekt, and Tiefgrün Perleffekt.

My Comment:
So, the all new Audi A6 allroad quattro, I didn't expect to see this one coming despite it was more like the latest version of the Audi A6 Avant but it made it a bit more SUV-ish rather than being a tourer. It maybe one of Audi's finest achievement but sadly, it doesn't work when you smuggle this to Manila. This new Audi A6 allroad will work only in Europe (but not in Britain). Honest!

Photo: Audi A.G.

Audi A4 (B8) Range Minor Change

Audi's answer to the BMW 3-Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the A4, was the kind of entry level luxury car that you may want to scoff and laugh about because unlike its rivals which are RWD, the Audi A4 only comes with either a FWD or quattro. This latest generation, designated as B8, is one step further to this entry-level Audi sedan and tourer that are targeted for the selected few. And now, at last, the Audi A4 B8 range deserved the big minor change it deserves.

2013 Audi A4

2013 Audi A4 Avant

2013 Audi A4 allroad

To keep the A4 B8 mountain dew fresh for the 2013 model year, Audi revamped the front and back to match the brand's "Vorsprung Durch Technik" slogan. The new front lamps were carried from the Audi A5 facelift and it comes with a slight wave at the bottom edges but customers would be interested in Xenon plus headlights as an option. Those LED daytime running lamps on the new A4 now creates a narrow, homogeneous band that takes advantage of the xenon lens. The rear lamps are also new as well. It was shaped to be more like the new Audi A8 in order for the new A4 to be one step ahead of its class. For the A4, it has three available models to choose from; one is the saloon version, the A4 Avant for those who need some space, and there's the Audi A4 allroad for those who are looking for some recreational machine.

2013 Audi A4 interior

The change is also implemented on the interior as well. There will be a selection of steering wheels with chrome and high-gloss inlays, with the leather sport steering wheel available by request. This would be somewhat a pick-and-mix choice for the customers to find the interior that well suits their personality. Aside from that, the MMI navigation plus system now offers four buttons to make a bit less complicating. Also, it can do Bluetooth connection with your smartphones, voice-controlled Google searches for points of interests and navigation with Google Earth pics, as well as Google Street View, which sounds convenient for the tech-savvy drivers. Lastly, the interior serves as a WLAN hotspot, providing passengers to surf the internet while they're stuck at traffic. Good mark for Audi, there.

So, what about performance? At the start and depending on the variant of your choice, the new Audi A4 is available in 1.8 TFSi, 2.0 TFSi, 3.0 TFSi, 2.0 TDi, 3.0TDi, and the 3.0TDi engine with clean diesel technology. The most fuel efficient of the Audi A4 range is the one with the 2.0L TDi engine that produces 136HP of power and it will have a fuel consumptions of 4.2L/100km on average, CO2 emissions of 112g/km. The new 1.8L TFSi engine on the new A4 comes with variable valve lift, thermal management, and direct fuel injection aside from its turbocharger that uses waste gases to force air into the engine more efficiently. Basically, it will have 120HP of power but other variants using the new 1.8L TFSi engine170HP of power and 320Nm of torque. Fuel efficiency, it is limited to 5.6L/100km and it has CO2 emissions of 134g/km. It's very eco. Oh, and I almost forgot. Most variants do come with a six-speed manual transmission but some may offer a multitronic CVT as an option. The quattro versions may come with an optional seven speed S tronic tranmissions.

Audi S4

2013 Audi S4

2013 Audi S4 Avant

2013 Audi S4 interior

The hardcore Audi S4, in sedan and Avant form, also gained a minor change as well, inside and out. It carries a 3.0L TFSi engine that produces 333HP of power an 440Nm of torque. It can go 0-100kph in 5 seconds and top speed limited to 250kph, which sounds too cheesy.

My Comment:
Keeping the Audi A4 B8 fresh is somewhat too cheesy for Audi to keep the "Vorsprung Durch Technik" tagline one giant leap ahead from its competitiors like BMW and Mercedes-Benz but still, it would always getting scoffed and laughed. With the introduction of the new BMW 3-Series F30, this Audi A4 facelift would be nothing more than a useless tool to me. I'm sorry Audi but neither you built a better A4 nor a good looking medium sedan for the chosen few. I could have hope for that...

Scoop: AUDI AG

Audi A4 allroad quattro

Dubbed as the combat crossover wagon that leaves the Subaru Legacy Outback die, the crossover utility vehicle grade of the popular Audi A4, known as the A4 allroad quattro, proves that this sports utility wagon reaches beyond the bounds across the European peninsula. As the cheaper alternative to the aging-but-still-on-sale Audi A6 allroad quattro, this allroad quattro proudly takes its position as one of the undeniable crossovers ever sold in the market. Using the A4 Avant as its base, this crossover combines the ruggedness of the sports utility vehicle and the compatibility of a station wagon, all in the same pace that keeps the head in the game. The A4 allroad quattro's interior remains true A4 quality, giving passengers some time to accommodate inside, even the luggage capacity seems to be good to fit at it. The innovative MMI system provides the driver a variety of options such as playing music, access navigation, call people, and more to do from this feature.

Three available engines are offered for this combative crossover wagon such as the 2.0 TFSI turbocharged engine with the Audi valvelift system, 2.0 TDI turbodiesel common rail engine delivers 170bhp of power, and the flagship 3.0 TDI V6 turbocharged common rail diesel engine. Most engines are approved for Europe's Euro 5 emission standards. The A4 allroad quattro offers two transmission types such as the six-speed manual transmission and the high-performance 7-speed S tronic transmission. This S tronic transmission gives the driver the shifting feel of the sports car every time this semi-automatic wonder is active on the go. The Off Road Detection system comes in handy because it detects which road surface this crossover is on and how the Electronic Stability Program will work depending on the surfaces, you are on such as tarmac, gravel, snow, or whatever you are.

My thoughts about the A4 allroad quattro:
Since this is the rival to the latest Subaru Legacy Outback, the A4 allroad quattro combines the grand touring quality of the A4 and the ruggedness of the Audi Q7, giving this sports utility wagon a change of pace, conquering different roads at different places. Perhaps, we have to wait until PGA Cars will bring the A4 allroad quattro to our shores, and when it happens, it will be more than enough to spend your 5,000,000 pesos on this grand touring crossover. Just how the pricing goes, if you can't afford to buy the A4 allroad quattro, buy the Outback instead, but if you really do not like the Outback because it is not your type, you can give the A4 allroad quattro a go-go.