Audi A4 Allroad - Fast Forward

The Audi A4 Avant is dead. Long live the Audi A4 allroad. Yes, that lowercase “a” is how Audi likes to express its chunky wagon/crossover sub-brand. The allroad can’t drive over every rough surface, but it doesn’t stop at syntax. A bit of plastic cladding, permanent all-wheel drive, some stainless steel skidplates and a ride height raised by 1.5 inches bring out the company’s more reckless side it seems. This is the first time an allroad badge has been on a U.S.-spec Audi since 2005, when it appeared on the rump of a specially prepared A6 Avant/wagon (there are no plans to bring over a current A6 allroad). This new A4 version, coming for the 2013 model year, is about as handsome as anything with a tailgate has ever been, and runs around with 211 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four. The transmission is an eight-speed Tiptronic auto, splitting power 40:60 front to rear. As well as 50 cubic feet of cargo space, the A4 allroad packs plenty of Internet-connected tech and up-to-the-minute safety features. It just goes to show that Americans will buy wagons as long as they don’t look too much like wagons.