WASHINGTON: Audi has unveiled the latest A4 allroad, which is slated for US sales in autumn, priced from US$44,000 (RM179,000).
With standard quattro all-wheel drive, adaptive dampers and increased ground clearance compared to the sedan, the A4 allroad is a raised A4 Avant that offers the versatility of a wagon with an Audi level of luxury and refinement.
From the redesigned five-link suspension with standard adaptive dampers to the new standard quattro all-wheel drive with ultra technology, the 2017 A4 allroad sets a new benchmark for the luxury wagon segment.
It is based on the B9 A4 sedan which is one of a number of products arising from Volkswagen's modular MQB platform.
The exterior has been redesigned to showcase the allroad’s adventurous spirit with design cues that pay homage to the A4 family. Vertical chrome slats on the Singleframe grille emphasise the vehicle’s increased ground clearance while more powerful wheel arches add to the vehicle’s offroad character. The interior features a horizontally oriented architecture to create a greater feeling of spaciousness while infotainment features such as the large MMI display and available Audi virtual cockpit help create a driver-centric space. A newly designed infotainment system includes standard Audi smartphone interface, which provides Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto integration.
The all-new A4 allroad uses a redesigned 2.0-liter TFSI engine and, for the first time, a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission that melds efficiency with dynamic shifting for an overall sportier drive. The engine produces 252hp at 5,000-6,000rpm and 370Nm of torque at 1,600-4,500rpm.
The A4 allroad employs a new system of quattro all-wheel drive with ultra technology that is optimised for performance and efficiency. The new drivetrain uses an electronic multi-plate clutch along with a decoupling rear axle differential to achieve fully variable torque distribution. This quattro system with ultra technology allows for intelligent, proactive control of the all-wheel drive system to predictively modify the torque application as the driver demands or the road conditions require.
An increased ground clearance of 34mm over the A4 sedan, achieved through a taller suspension and higher profile tyres, makes the A4 allroad a capable choice for offroad terrain. The allroad also features a new version of Audi drive select with expanded functionality. In addition to comfort, auto, dynamic, and individual modes, the allroad also includes an offroad mode which adjusts aspects of the engine, transmission, steering, and disables Audi pre sense to provide the maximum benefit while offroad.
On the options list is an Audi virtual cockpit which features a large, 12.3-inch display that can deliver vibrant colour at 60 frames per second with NVIDIA quad core processing power, colour head-up display and a 19 speaker, 755 watt Bang & Olufsen 3D Sound Sound System.
The A4 allroad incorporates many driver assistance features as well. The standard Audi pre sense helps ward off an impending collision, as it can intervene to prepare the vehicle for impact. The car comes with optional traffic sign recognition, active lane assist and blind spot detection.
