Road Test & Video: 2013 Audi A4 Allroad Quattro

Story, photos and video by John LeBlanc Fire up the time machine, and you have go all the way back to the 1980s’ AMC Eagle for the new Audi A4 Allroad Quattro’s automotive roots. Just like AMC then, Audi in the 1990s had no true sports-utility-vehicle. And just as the Eagle was a Hornet wagon in SUV-drag, so was the original Audi Allroad. In 1999, the German automaker took a perfectly fine A6 Avant (Audi-speak for wagon), then added SUV-like features such as two-tone fender flares, skid-plates to protect its expensive underside, height-adjustable suspension and — of course — Audi’s sophisticated Quattro all-wheel-drive system. It was just the thing for SUV-starved Audi dealers until the German automaker’s first utility vehicle, the Q7, arrived in 2005. For 2013, the Allroad Quattro returns. But it’s been downsized from the A6 Avant’s mid-size platform to the compact A4 Avant. In fact, where you once were able to buy an Avant/wagon version of both the A4 and A6 — and the A6 Allroad Quattro — the new-this-year A4 Allroad is the only wagon Audi sells in Canada for 2013. Despite moving down one size, the 2013 A4 Allroad is dimensionally larger than the so-called “mid-size” 1999 to 2005 A6 demi-SUV. And while former A6 Allroad owners may moan that the new one doesn’t come with the older car’s adjustable air suspension, the new A4 Allroad  has been raised almost 40 millimetres and utilizes the A5 coupe's wider front and rear tracks for light off-road duties. Whereas you could buy a non-SUV-mimicking A4 Avant sports wagon last year for as little as $42,800, the starting price for the 2013 A4 Allroad is $2,300 more. In addition, though, the “Allroad” styling bits, leather-clad heated seats and a panoramic glass roof come as standard kit. In the half-wagon/half-SUV all-wheel-drive segment, the Audi has only two real rivals: the Volvo XC70 and the Subaru Outback 3.6R. When similarly quipped, the Audi and Volvo are similarly priced. But without a luxury badge on its grille, the $38,495 Subaru is much less expensive to get into. As much as Audi designers tried to distinguish this year’s A4 Allroad from last year’s A4 Avant, inside, much remains the same. There’s not much “Allroad-ness” on the interior of the new A4 version. All I could find was an “allroad”-inscribed chrome doorsill-plate. But that’s not such a bad thing. The A4’s interior was already the class-leader in regards to ergonomic design and build quality. Although my tester was a base model, its leather steering wheel was buttery smooth, complemented with delicate applications of chrome highlights throughout the cabin. The A4 Allroad also benefits from the 2013 A4 lineup’s mid-cycle refresh that includes tweaked exterior restyling front and back with updated bi-Xenon and LED lighting and subtle refinements inside. Audi has redesigned its Multi Media Interface central controller. There are now fewer buttons, and the system has become even easier to use. The AM/FM/DVD/CD/satellite radio unit has also been updated with a pair of SD card slots and an iPod connection. Yes. You could have had a turbocharged six-cylinder or an optional eight in the older A6 Allroad. And you can get a turbo-diesel and six-speed manual transmission in the current A4 Allroad in wagon-mad Europe. Over here, though, where customers are still flocking to taller crossovers and SUVs, Audi is only offering a single A4 Allroad engine: the same 2.0-litre, direct-injected and turbocharged four-cylinder found in last year’s A4 Avant and various other Audis. On paper, the Audi four-cylinder looks outgunned compared to its six-cylinder rivals. The Subaru packs a 3.6 L unit making 256 horsepower. The Volvo’s 3.2 L mill delivers 240 hp. Yet with only 211 hp on tap — and when mated to the mandatory eight-speed Tiptronic autobox, which sports two and three more gears, respectively, than the Volvo and Subaru — the A4 Allroad scoots from 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds. That’s 0.4 seconds quicker than the lighter Outback and a whopping 2.3 seconds faster than the heavier XC70. (Note that the A4 Allroad puts out the same 258 lb-ft rating as the old A6’s six, which helps in these accelerative matters.) The Audi is also the champ at the pumps. Its 10.4L/100 km city and 7.4L highway ratings easily better the Volvo’s 11.6/8.2 numbers and the Subaru’s 11.8/8.2 scores. During my week with the Audi, I saw a real world average of 11.8. With the time machine still fired up, many of you readers will say this year’s pseudo-Allroad version is a step backwards compared to last year’s more road-oriented Avant A4. True that. I found the new Allroad’s steering a bit light at times. And its all-season rubber seemed to create a layer between the driver and the road last year’s A4 Avant didn’t have. (Optional 245/40 19-tires can be had.) But put in the context of its 2013 Volvo and Subaru rivals (and until the next-generation BMW 3 Series Touring arrives), the A4 Allroad delivers the better, all-around driving experience. From the driver’s seat, the A4 Allroad — even with its increased ride height and taller-aspect rubber than last year’s A4 Avant — steers more accurately and controls its body motions in the corners better than the slower-to-react and less balanced XC70 and Outback 3.6R. As well, the Audi’s turbo-four and Tiptronic combo not only delivers the best performance and fuel economy, it’s also the more refined and responsive powertrain. The torque-rich four never feels underpowered, and the eight-speeder reacts quickly to gear change requests. Rally drivers will notice that the A4 Allroad’s AWD system does not have the rear-biased setup sportier Audis like the S4 has. Instead, its Quattro system uses a 50:50 front/rear power delivery. However, with a Torsion centre differential working with electric locking front  and limited-slip rear diffs, partnered with a host of stability and braking control systems, the Audi may not be ready for the Paris to Dakar rally, but it will get you to your favourite ski chalet safely. Despite Audi’s obvious efforts to cater to the hordes migrating to crossovers and SUVs, the changes wrought upon the A4 Avant to turn it into an Allroad haven’t fundamentally denigrated the car’s fundamental qualities. The changes made to make the Audi wagon handle light off-road adventures only minimally weakens the car on-road capabilities. Overall, the new 2013 A4 Allroad drives like the European sports wagon it’s based upon. And it still betters its limited competition when it comes to its interior, road manners, performance, and fuel economy. Simply put, if you’re looking for 2013 European sports wagon, the new A4 Allroad should be at the top of your list. Road Test: 2013 Audi A4 Allroad Quattro WHAT I LIKED: Turbo-four delivers performance and fuel economy; relatively excellent driving dynamics; class-leading interior ergonomics and build quality WHAT I DIDN'T: Not as driver-focused as last years A4 Avant; some former Allred owners may wine for an adjustable suspension; Audi is down to only offering one wagon body. Base price: $45,100 Type of vehicle: 4WD, mid-size wagon Engines: 2.0L turbocharged I4 Power: 211 hp Torque: 258 lb-ft. Transmission: Eight-speed automatic Fuel consumption L/100 km: 10.4 city; 7.4 hwy; 11.8 as-tested Competition: Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited, Volvo XC70 Premium

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