Audi A4 AllRoad Spied Ahead of Expected Unveiling in Paris

by Clinton Deacon
September 18, 2008 2:39 PM
Filed Under: Audi, German, Spy Photos

The Audi AllRoad has successfully stayed away from the glaring media over the past few months, that was of course until our spy photographer caught this completely undisguised prototype exiting the Nurburgring circuit.

Its styling follows in the footsteps of Audi previous venture in the AllRoad branding based on the A6, this particular prototype features a set of black wheel arch extensions which increase the overall width of the vehicle and it also gets a slightly increased ride height. We expected a wagon variant of the A4 AllRoad will hit the market as well as the sedan seen here, however prototypes of this particular body style have managed to evade our cameras so far.

The production ready look of this model add weight to the argument that it will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in a couple of weeks.

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Comments

wisp

September 18, 2008 3:00 PM

Well, where in hells are the critic 'clubs'. I'd like to read people opinions on this car. Remember it has plastic black wheel arches like those found on a FIAT pickup.

Bada_Bing

September 18, 2008 3:14 PM

Is it much higher off the ground than a standard A6 ??

would make a nice rally car !

afterace2

September 18, 2008 4:24 PM

I can't really see a market for an allroad sedan ?

BabyMilo

September 19, 2008 8:19 AM

no i dont think it is going to be a sedan, it is just a cover up to make it less obvious

burana800

September 18, 2008 5:54 PM

This must be simply the stupidest thing any carcompany have ever done

djcocum

September 22, 2008 1:07 PM

Well, I think Subaru already made an Outback sedan before.

norther

September 18, 2008 6:00 PM

as i said when audi started with the idea. THIS IS STUPID. and of course useless... what could be the place in the market for this car? what is its segment? and why is it so damn ugly? audi, i think this is a waste of money and time. you wanna do something with the a4? bring back the 1.8T, 180 bhp quattro engine. stop cra*ing around....please.

Tuner_Mad

September 18, 2008 6:12 PM

They still make this thing? well.... IT DON'T SELL!! Looking at this I don't this the new Allroad will do either.

pscs

September 18, 2008 9:26 PM

I agree with most of the comments. Although this car would be a pretty nice ride than the standard version, it will simply be too expensive (could probably get an A6)... and it looks too plain like the stock A4 as well.

A total redesign something between the Q5 and the A4 is what we need if Audi wants to push out "allroad" series...

Blackcomb

September 18, 2008 10:38 PM

I am Canadian, but I must say, Europeans are much smarter than the majority of the arrogant clueless as(*&%oles who contributed above. First of all, they are only using the sedan as a test platform, not the final version...it will be an Avant (wagon). Second, who the hell wouldn't want a car that had more cargo space than a Q5, had the ability to drive in extremely deep snow, take on mild off road adventures, and then rip up the freeway just like the regular A4? All you gas guzzling americans who don't think this makes sense need to wake up and get with the times. This is a great idea, and I hope like hell they bring it to North America!! The A6 allroad sells like crazy in Europe, as do all german wagons, whether it be the BMW's Merc's or Audi's. Why? Again, because you get the cargo space of a midsize SUV, with the fuel mileage of a car. Personally, I would waaaaay rather have an A4 Allroad than A Q5 or Q7. Those are for rich spoiled soccer moms and guys who are trying to compensate for something by driving a SUV that will never be full of anything and will never be taken off road!!!!

Bada_Bing

September 18, 2008 11:14 PM

Dont forget , on here if it doesnt looklike an R8 or does 2oo mph then anything else is useless to alot of people on WCF.

This car would be good for farmers , doctors and maybe emergency services that need the ability to go off road that bit more.

Becareful who you call clueless please, you may get a respone you dont like.

allroad

September 18, 2008 11:04 PM

YES Blackcomb YES. As an AMERICAN, you are spot on with your comment. I have an allroad and it simply is the perfect car for ALL conditions. Power, handling and TONS of space and just happens to love the snow and mild offroading...I can hang with most on the freeway two during spirited runs...it is a misunderstood car, but it is a brilliant ride in my opinion. No need for an SUV! Wish I could get a diesel though! Wake up Audi USA!!

mangowalnut

September 19, 2008 1:20 AM

blackcomb ftw!!!

mangowalnut

September 19, 2008 1:23 AM

No but really. Right now - like this very day. I dont think there is a better value on the used market for suv/wagon segment. Get 'em while they last. 2005's with low miles are under $20k. Americans are just plain stupid when it comes to cars. I said it. Face it.

NaBUru38

September 19, 2008 2:13 AM

Blackcomb said: "they are only using the sedan as a test platform, not the final version". I hope so, but don't take it for granted.

Blackcomb

September 19, 2008 3:13 AM

Ok, I must first apologize for my slightly over the top comments above. First off, Canadians are just as bad as our neighbors to the south when it comes to driving cars/trucks that are un-necessary for what they will actually be used for. What got me soo fired up were the comments calling it useless, as Bada_Bing said, because it isn't an R8 or did 200 mph. I myself drive a Toyota Tacoma, so I am by no means innocent; however, I do use the pickup bed frequently, and travel off road on almost a daily basis. So much so, that I wait for the rain to do my truck washing.

That being said, it is the type of driving that could be done with a vehicle just like this! Only I can go like a bat-outta-h&%% on the highway, still fit the majority of things that would have fit in my pickup, all while getting twice the gas mileage! Just hit a button, and BAM!!! You have 4-8 extra inches of ground clearance!!

I apologize to anyone, American, Canadian, Soccer Mom, or otherwise that I may have offended with my previous comments. I know I am not alone in my frustration of seeing people with cars/trucks/SUV’s that are not being utilized for their intended purpose (Range Rover Anyone?) But hey, if you got it, flaunt it!!

What makes this type of car so great is that it can do so many things well, maybe not exceptional, but well. It is not an R8 for tearing up a dry mountain highway in the summer at mach 12, nor is it a Ford Excursion for a family of 7 who all want to go somewhere without taking 2 cars. But I think that it offers the best of so many worlds that it is tough to match, and I am surprised that more companies haven’t tried to copy it. Or have they? For example the upcoming BMW SAV which has been documented on this website numerous times.

Everybody has their own opinion as to what the perfect car is, whether it be an Audi R8 or Ford Excursion. I kindly ask that you see this car for the purpose in which it was intended; to offer a practical alternative to a gas guzzling SUV.

To Each Their Own…

Schizo0223

September 19, 2008 5:24 AM

It's a shame that the All-Road is such a mis-understood car. It is an excellent all round car...if it was an avant. (Unfortunately we don't get the new All-Road here in Korea, they were discontinued with the old body style.)

If they introduce a sedan like pictured above...a big if...then I'd have to question what their thoughts are behind such a vehicle.

They are not trying to compete with Subaru and Fiat (who have their own "rustic" versions of cars)in terms of vehicle offerings are they?

If they really want to be regarded as a serious contender with the likes of MB and BMW, then they should leave vehicles like the All-Road to VW and devote their development funds to more luxury and high performance cars.

They already have SAV's...it seems like they are just stealing their own customers in the market for up-scale SAV who would've bought the Q5 to buy the All-Road.

Kepe

September 19, 2008 5:42 AM

Well, this really isn't the first car model to get extra ground clearance, plastic wheel arches and a 4wd system. There are cars like Skoda Octavia Combi, Seat Altea Freetrack and VW Crossgolf (no 4wd!). Oh and of course there's the Subaru Forester. These are the ones that popped into my mind.. I bet there are some more car manufacturers that have these same kind of cars as well.

Kepe

September 19, 2008 5:45 AM

Skoda Octavia Scout I meant.

P.S. WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET A "MODIFY" -BUTTON SO THAT WE CAN MODIFY OUR POSTS?? Sorry about the caps. It's just really getting irritating!

Bada_Bing

September 19, 2008 11:01 AM

I agree Kepe , there also should be as system of banning abusive people.

gio420gio420

September 19, 2008 5:53 AM

This car is amazing, my uncle has the new allroad a6 in germany, i drove it and fell in love. I am personally one of those guys who are trying to compensate for "something" (Blackcomb) and i drive a G55 Brabus K8 but i love the audi allroads, if i ever move to europe or they make it for the US i will get one, cuz gas is killing me and the environment lol

BabyMilo

September 19, 2008 8:20 AM

i think that the A6 Allroad is a fantastic looking car, i hope that this will look something like that

wisp

September 19, 2008 9:27 AM

Ok, so the jury is divided on this car. some like it and others do not.My take on this is probably Audi is targeting countries with long and heavy snowfall seasons, but just how big is this market really?

Bada_Bing

September 19, 2008 10:39 AM

It looks better in black :

http://www.motorauthority.com/spy-shots-audi-a4-allroad.html

H20

September 19, 2008 7:07 PM

Hey Americans and Canadians and so on. I am European for those who want to know. Remember what's important here for the manufacturer is to make "niche-cars", define it as "small profitably segments" which permits the premium customer to make a different and personalized choice. Volume is not important, profitability is. You want a passenger car with 4X4 security ? Well Why a simple BMW 3X or a simple Mercedes C-4matic ... just be different with a 4door A4 Allroad ... You pay more for a different look. And on top of that a higher groundclearance to enhance the look and with some small offroad capabalities (but this isn't the real purpose). Diversification is a strenght.

September 30, 2008 6:01 AM

H20 has probably summed up what diversification of model range is all about. Because of shared componentry today's major vehicle manufacturers can adapt at relatively low cost.

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