Colorado's Hardscrabble Road west of Denver is no place for a luxury automobile. Sharp rocks poke out of the terrain to bite holes in the sidewalls of low-profile tires and deep ruts lie in wait to snag vulnerable undercarriage gear. Yet, the Audi Allroad Quattro hardly slows its pace. Prancing on its tiptoes, the Allroad maintains forward momentum with the sure-footed confidence of a Rocky Mountain bighorn.
Consider this the anti-SUV, a versatile luxury wagon transformed into a capable all-terrain vehicle by means of some clever engineering. A computer-controlled air suspension allows the driver to select from four different ride heights to program the Allroad for high-speed interstate cruising, adventurous off-road slogging, or anything in between. The low setting offers 1.6 inches of ground clearance above what's provided by the A6 Avant donor vehicle. The high setting—available below 22 mph—gives you a towering 8.2 inches of ground clearance or 4.2 inches more than the civilian wagon offers. Air struts support the body so the independent front and rear suspension systems can keep the tires in touch with whatever lies beneath. When extra air pressure is needed because of a heavy cargo load, this system shrewdly resets the rear shock absorbers for more damping. At 75 mph, the lowest setting is automatically selected for minimal aerodynamic drag and optimum highway stability.
The list of alterations also includes structural reinforcements, an electronic stability system, larger wheelwells, composite plastic undercarriage protection, and a restyled exterior to make the new Allroad more than a catchy name. Most of the exterior sheetmetal differs from the Avant's to provide an attractive and distinctive appearance with specially designed Pirelli and Goodyear 225/55HR17 radial tires. Horizontal aluminum ribs help protect the body from flying gravel and slush.
Author: Don Sherman
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