The A4 Allroad has carved a nice little niche for itself in the US market, where it replaced the standard A4 Avant among most shoppers seeking a low and sporty wagon. The current Allroad will gain all the new tech and style of the A4 sedan, but wears a more butch stance all around. A very macho nose redesign brings vertical grille slats, some rough-rough fender flares and even a brushed-alloy chin spoiler in the nose.
We are trying to get on-board with this next-gen A4 appearance. Really trying. And the Allroad has generally been a great showcase of the A4 Avant’s overall aesthetic appeal.
Unfortunately, the new A4 is still just too generic and anodyne for our tastes. It looks like a cheap Xerox of the current models… but designed on crappier computers? There are good elements: like the longer wheelbase and shrunken front overhang versus the current model. We can’t help feeling the new A4 and Q7 look cheap and disconnected outside. Examples? Sharp nose LEDs and grille + rounded tailights. Sharp fender details and beltline crease + rounded glasshouse. It just does not feel cohesive; clashing even with itself somehow.
But if the outside is ‘meh,’ the inside is a ‘yea.’
So, the next A4 Allroad also ditches the clean and seamless look Audi has been known for. Somewhat choppy creases and beltline details create more shadow for the design details… but let’s hope it looks better in the flesh than it does on the show-stands. As it is, the latest C-Class and 3-series feel much more emotionally and visually appealing. Practically speaking, the A4 Allroad competes most directly with the 328i GT — but includes everything from the Q5 to the Merc GLC among its broader competitive set.
The new A4 is set for first Euro deliveries around May of this year as a 2017 model, and we hope the US models start arriving by August. For the S4 and Allroad, a November 2016 arrival is likeliest — both wearing similar pricing to the current models. That is ~$44k as a base for the A4 Allroad, and from ~$51k for the S4.
2017 Audi A4 Allroad
Perfect companion in any situation: the new Audi A4 allroad quattro
The new Audi A4 allroad quattro* embodies a unique concept: It combines high driving comfort with off-road qualities, thus enjoying a unique position in its segment. Thanks to the standard quattro drive and increase ground clearance, it also keeps on driving where the paved road ends.
The new Audi A4 allroad quattro is defined by its individual look. The powerfully flared wheel arches and the rear bumper attract attention. They are finished in matt structure gray or painted in the body color. The robust underbody guard and the rear diffuser are finished in selenite silver. The sporty, distinctive front end with jagged headlights, unique bumper and model-specific air intakes underscores its extroverted character. Vertical chrome slats adorn the sculpted Singleframe grille. “allroad” badges decorate the front fenders and the tailgate. The higher roof rails round out the typical “allroad” look.
The strong-pulling TFSI and TDI engines in the Audi A4 allroad quattro offer improved performance with better efficiency. The TFSI and five TDI engines produce between 110 kW (150 hp) and 200 kW (272 hp), which is up to 20 kW (27 hp) more than in the previous model. At the same time, Audi has reduced CO2 emissions by up to 21 grams per kilometer (33.8 g/mi). Power transmission is handled by a manual six‑speed gearbox, the new seven-speed S tronic or the redesigned eight-speed tiptronic. quattro all-wheel drive is standard.
Ride height, which has been increased by 23 millimeters (0.9 in), and the larger diameter of the wheels compared with the Audi A4 Avant* together provide an additional 34 millimeters (1.3 in) of ground clearance. Audi offers a suspension with damper control as an alternative to the standard suspension. The driver can choose its default setting at the push of a button in Audi drive select.
The new Audi A4 allroad quattro features a new version of Audi drive select with an expanded range of functions. In addition to the familiar comfort, auto, dynamic, efficiency and individual (only in combination with the navigation system) modes, offroad mode is available for when the driver leaves paved roads behind.
The front axle of the new Audi A4 allroad quattro features a redesigned five-link suspension, while a five-link construction replaces the trapezoidal-link rear suspension used previously. The developers used an intelligent mix of materials to reduce the weight of the axle components by a total of 12 kilograms (26.5 lb).
The new Audi A4 allroad quattro comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels in a multi-spoke design. Together with quattro GmbH, Audi offers optional variants in sizes from 17 to 19 inches. The internally ventilated brake discs on the front axle measure up to 338 millimeters (13.3 in) in diameter.
The luggage compartment offers 505 liters (17.8 cu ft) of storage space. Total capacity with the rear seats folded down and loaded to the roof is 1,510 liters (53.3 cu ft). The power luggage compartment cover and the electric drive for the tailgate are standard. Audi offers sensor control as an option. Customers can also order a pivoting trailer hitch that extends electronically at the push of a button.
The spacious interior exudes high quality. Numerous high-end infotainment options underscore this character. The focal points are the optional Audi virtual cockpit and the new MMI operating concept. The diverse range of Audi connect services, the Audi smartphone interface and the Audi phone box with inductive charger offer the latest generation of online infotainment and smartphone connectivity. With the Bang & Olufsen Sound System, Audi is the first manufacturer to introduce 3D sound with a total of 19 speakers into the mid-sized class.
All of the driver assistance and safety systems for the A4 series are also available for the new A4 allroad quattro. Highlights are the predictive efficiency assistant, exit warning and the adaptive cruise control Stop&Go including traffic jam assist. A new addition to the range is trailer maneuver assist. It uses the MMI controller to make it easier to maneuver a trailer.
Audi has built the successful A4 model as an “allroad” version since 2009. The second generation of this mid-sized model will arrive at dealerships in Germany and Europe this summer. The entry-level price is 44.750 Euro.
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.