So this is the Allroad - meaning "All right for road" ? what about off-road ? how does it compare with the X5 which is all right for road and somewhat off-road ? First of all, please aware that the X5 is a 2.1-ton monocoque SUV powered by a V8, priced at around £50,000. Although a cheaper 3-litre six is going to be available, only V8 provides enough punch to match the 1.8-ton, 2.7 twin-turbo V6 Allroad Quattro. Also, the Allroad ask just £37,000, which is good value for money even compare with the regular A6 Avant Quattro. 

Like Volvo V70XC (Cross-country), the Allroad is a straight conversion from the A6 Avant Quattro, with the same basic dimensions and the same monocoque chassis. Inevitably, there are some revisions to the nose and tail, and extended mud guards, to boost off-road ability as well as for image reasons. Prove of the latter can be found in the chromed parts added to the front & rear bumpers and door sills. They seemed like asking you not to drive the car over muddy roads. The add-ons are aggressive enough to negate the good-guy image of the otherwise A6, injecting some aggressiveness demanded by this kind of vehicles. However, it doesn’t look as handsome as the X5 in my opinion. Moreover, you can’t say it looks unlike an estate. 

Audi’s advantage over Volvo is that it has already got a superb Quattro system. While Volvo’s system is just a part-timer (normally FWD, just transfer torque to rear in case of tyre slip), the Quattro is of course a full-time 4-wheel drive, with 50-50 torque distribution normally and could be alter to 25-75 or 75-25 in extreme conditions. The mechanical Torsen LSDs have proved their effectiveness throughout the past 2 decades (oh yes, this year is the 20 years birthday of the original Quattro coupe). 

Another advantage is the introduction of air suspensions. The Nike Air Max has 4 different height settings to suit different speeds and road surfaces. It could be selected manually via a button on the console to suit the roads underneath. Alternatively, the computer lowers the suspensions according to speed to enhance stability. Not a new technology though. 

Unfortunately, with the air suspensions at the maximum height, off-road ability is still limited. The ground clearance is still not high enough, and the relatively long overhangs limit the ramp angle. The Avant chassis isn’t as rigid as the specially developed X5, so it is better to leave the Allroad on the all right roads. No mountain climbing please. 

Disappointingly, the on-road handling is also inferior to the X5. Steering is less responsive and feels remote, body rolls more, dives more under brake. It also understeer more and runs out of grip quicker, thanks to the special mud-clearing tyres. It’s unbelievable that the heavy-weight X5 can out-handle the road-car-based Allroad, perhaps the air suspension is the one to be blamed. 

There are 2 engines available. First choice is the super-torquey 2.5TDi V6 turbo diesel with 180 hp and 268 lbft. It suits the character of this car. The range-topping 2.7 twin-turbo V6 petrol isn’t bad either. It used to be detuned to 230 hp in Europe but now produces a more reasonable 250 hp like the US version. It is a refined engine, but not all that powerful when pulling 1825 kg via 5-speed Tiptronic. It doesn’t feel as quick as the X5 4.4 despite of faster 0-60 time quoted. Alternatively, you may order a 6-speed manual with an optional low-range transfer case. 

What leaves the Allroad outdone the X5 is the high quality cabin (the same as all A6), more cargo space and the price tag. It’s more economical to run too, but isn’t it nonsense to buy such vehicle for economical ? it’s neither a real off-roader nor handles good on road. It just goes slower, drinks more and looks uglier. (well, the SUV-mad world might think otherwise) As you might know, I’m always anti-SUV very hard. (no SUV reported in AutoZine, not even the not-very-SUV X5) Therefore the regular Avant Quattro is still the car I recommend.