?Audi allroad to replace A4 Avant?

Audi?s allroad returns after 8-year hiatus

Beaver Creek, CO – Audi marks the return of an icon, with its 2013 allroad, which returns to the U.S. marketplace for the first time since 2005. The allroad is all new, appearing on a modified A4 architecture and replaces the A4 Avant. The allroad will be 0.6-inches wider, 2.3-inches taller, with a longer wheelbase than its predecessor for added ride comfort, and providing 1.5-inches of extra ground clearance. The allroad?s track is also increased.

The 2013 Audi?allroad may well be the most attractive new vehicle in Audi?s lineup, along with being faster, while delivering greater fuel efficiency. Exterior design features include: an exclusive Singleframe? grille with angled upper corners and vertical slats, sporting the four-ring Audi logo up front; a distinctive new headlamp design with freshened LED lighting (available with xenon-plus); circular fog lamps; enlarged side mirrors with optional power folding feature; stainless steel skid plates front and rear as well as side sills. The new Audi allroad provides 27 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats on place, which increases to 50 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. An optional tailgate is available. Three trim or content levels will be available: Premium, which starts at $39,600; Premium Plus, beginning at $42,900., and Prestige -with a starting point of $48,800. Add $895 to all trims for Destination and Handling.

The 2013 allroad rides on 18-inch alloy wheels with taller sidewall tires as standard fare, while 19-inch wheels are optional. Standard front and rear fascias appear in a contrasting matte finish, as do the wheel well arches, with an available full paint finish. The allroad displays a sleek and aerodynamic profile with blacked-out ?B? and ?C? pillars and curved greenhouse that finishes off with a rearward sloping ?D? pillar. The standard liftgate includes an integrated spoiler, and the top is capped by side roof rails. A character line runs the length of the vehicle just below the shoulder, while a more pronounced rocker character line joins the wheel wells with an upward sweeping accent, and the integrated circular, split dual exhaust tips finish off the rear.

Moving to the inside, the allroad delivers more front passenger headroom than its predecessor and features a standard Panorama sunroof, eight-way power adjustable seats which are heated in the front, with a driver seat memory feature. A sports interior package comes with twelve-way power front sport seats and a?three-spoke steering wheel with paddle shifters. Interior trim features aluminum Trigon inlays as standard fare, with three wood inlay choices optionally available. Two different color schemes are available in the allroad: Black seats and carpet,?a Black upper and lower dash, Aluminum Trigon dash beltline trim and a Lunar Silver headliner; or Chestnut Brown seats, Black carpet and upper and lower dash, Aluminum Trigon dash beltline trim and a Black headliner. There are six exterior color choices available.

The instrument cluster sports a revised look; with a high gloss finish on interior trim accents. Audi?s third generation MMI? Plus (optionally available) features Alu-optic soft keys, and window and trunk buttons appear in partial Alu-optic. Audi Drive Select along with Audi Connect? with online services are available as options, as is a Bang and Olufsen? premium sound system.

Optional Driver Assistance features include: Audi adaptive cruise control; Audi parking system plus; Audi side assist; and Audi dynamic steering.

Motive force for the returning iconic allroad is delivered by a 2.0-liter TFSI Direct Injection, turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with ULEV II / OBD II certification. The four-cylinder engine pumps out 211 horsepower at 4,300 rpm along with 258 pound feet of torque at 1,500 rpm. Power is geared to all four wheels via Audi?s quattro all-wheel drive system with asymmetric/ dynamic torque distribution (torque split 40:60) and an electronically controlled eight-speed Tiptronic? automatic transmission.

I had the opportunity to experience the 2013 Audi allroad?s pleasures and capabilities during an extensive ride and drive in virtually all drive scenarios during the national press launch from Denver to Beaver Creek, CO. My test allroad was in Premium Plus trim, finished outside in Ice Silver metallic and sporting the Black interior selection. The base sticker read $42,900. which rose to a final total of $47,870 after factoring in the metallic paint, Audi?s MMI Navigation plus package, Audi?s advanced key feature and Destination charge.

SUMMARY: The 2013 Audi allroad delivers the functionality and versatility of an SUV while also providing the comfort and ambience of a luxury sedan or wagon.

The exterior of the allroad? reflects the aura of the great outdoors, but with an elegant touch. The cabin surrounds the occupants in total comfort. The expansive, standard Panorama sunroof illuminates the interior in natural light, for an open airy feeling. The allroad is a vehicle that?s suited for both on and off road journeys, capable of taking on nearly all scenarios, while providing comfortable and luxurious surroundings. The allroad comes with Electronic Stability Control featuring an off-road mode, which helps to maintain stability.

The Google maps overlay and its 360-degree street view is not only informative, but entertaining as well, while aiding in real time navigation.

Essentially, the allroad seems to have it all – exceptional good looks, satisfying and responsive acceleration, gratifying performance and luxurious accommodations, while offering the versatility for backroads adventure. It?s not intended for extreme rock crawling mind you, but primitive dirt and gravel roads pose no severe challenge. Factor in worthwhile fuel mileage capability and security inducing warranty and maintenance program and the allroad?s appeal becomes even more apparent.

SPECIFICATIONS: Audi allroad 2.0T Quattro tiptronic Premium Plus – 2013