B9 Audi A4 allroad quattro is a go-anywhere A4 Avant

The Audi h-tron quattro concept is not the only car Ingolstadt wheeled out at the 2016 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit – also unveiled is the B9 Audi A4 allroad quattro, the second generation of jacked-up four-wheel drive A4 Avant wagons. It’ll arrive in showrooms in Germany and the rest of Europe in the summer with prices starting from €44,750 (RM214,800).

Using the B9 A4 Avant as the base, the allroad adds body cladding around the bumpers, sides and the wheel arches (painted either in matte grey or in body colour), selenite silver underbody guards as well as taller roof rails. Unique allroad badging and a range of alloy wheels measuring 17 to 19 inches complete the look.

Inside, it’s much the same as the A4 Avant, with a simple dashboard that features several of Audi’s latest infotainment technology, including the new Multi Media Interface (MMI) and optional Audi virtual cockpit. Also available is the Audi smartphone interface, an Audi phone box with Qi wireless smartphone charging and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system.

The allroad features all of the B9 A4’s driver assistance and safety systems, including predictive efficiency assistant, exit warning and adaptive cruise control Stop&Go with traffic jam assist. In addition, the allroad adds trailer manoeuvre assist that uses the MMI controller to assist in trailer manoeuvring.

The cargo hold measures a capacious 505 litres, extendable to 1,510 litres with the rear seats folded. A powered tailgate and luggage compartment cover are standard, while hands-free operation of the tailgate is offered as an option. Buyers can also opt for a power-folding trailer hitch, extendable with a push of a button.

As with the standard B9 A4, the allroad features revised five-link front suspension and new five-link rear suspension (replacing the previous trapezoidal link system), albeit with a ride height that has been raised by 23 mm – together with the larger wheels and tyres, the total ground clearance has been increased by 34 mm.

Damper control is offered as an option to the standard suspension, with the default setting selectable via Audi drive select. Speaking of which, the latter has a new offroad mode that joins the usual comfort, auto, dynamic, efficiency and individual modes.

Under the bonnet, the allroad carries over the B9 A4’s range of TFSI petrol and TDI diesel engines, producing between 150 hp and 272 hp – up to 27 hp higher but emitting up to 21 grams less CO2 than before.

Transmission choices run the gamut between a six-speed manual gearbox, a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission and an eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission, and – as the name suggests – quattro all-wheel drive is fitted as standard.

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