Review: Audi B8 A4 Allroad quattro (2012-15)

Overview

Released in October 2012, the Audi B8 A4 Allroad quattro was a mid-size, four-wheel drive wagon. Manufactured in Ingolstadt, Germany, the B8 A4 Allroad quattro was powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that was mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (Audi’s ‘S-Tronic’).

Dimensions and body

Compared to the Audi B8 A4 Avant on which it was based, the A4 Allroad quattro was 18 mm longer (at 4721 mm), 15 mm wider (1841 mm) and 59 mm taller (1495 mm), but had a 3 mm shorter wheelbase (2805 mm). Furthermore, the A4 Allroad quattro had greater ground clearance (up 37 mm to 180 mm) and underbody cladding for off-road use.

Inside, the A4 Allroad quattro had a reversible load liner, the underside of which was designed as a dirt-resistant tray. Luggage capacity was 490 litres with the rear seats in position; when folded flat, luggage capacity increased to 1430 litres with a load area of 1780 mm long by 1000 mm wide (to the wheel arches). Visually, the A4 Allroad quattro could be identified by its wider front and rear tracks, flared wheel arches, silver roof rails and stainless steel underbody guards.

Suspension

The Audi A4 Allroad quattro had five-link front suspension with upper and lower wishbones and trapezoidal link rear suspension.

quattro

The ‘quattro’ system for the A4 Allroad quattro consisted of a Torsen Type 3 centre differential which provided a default 40:60 front:rear torque split. If traction was lost, however, up to 65 per cent of the engine’s torque can be directed to the front axle and up to 85 per cent to the rear. The system also included a rear differential lock which could brake a spinning wheel to transfer torque to the opposing wheel (i.e. cross-axle torque transfer).

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Audi B8 A4 allroad quattro included dual front airbags, front and rear side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, trailer stability control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Brakes

The A4 Allroad quattro was fitted with ventilated 314 mm front brake discs and 300 mm solid rear discs.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the closely related Audi B8 A4 sedan received a five star safety rating which included a 93 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 84 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the offset crash test, there was a slight risk of serious chest and leg injury for the driver. In the side impact and pole tests, however, maximum points were awarded.

Features: A4 allroad quattro

Standard features for the Audi A4 Allroad quattro included 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/55 R17 tyres with a space-saving spare wheel, a 10 speaker sound system (including subwoofer) with a six-channel amplifier, CD/DVD player, 20GB hard drive, MP3-compatibility, auxiliary inputs and Bluetooth audio streaming, hard-drive navigation with a seven-inch touch screen, three-zone climate control air conditioning, leather/leatherette seat trim, cruise control, front and rear fog lights, xenon headlights with daytime LED running lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a reversing camera, split and folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel with gearshift paddles, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, electromechanical parking brake, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, 12 volt power outlets, tyre pressure monitoring, a trip computer and an immobiliser.

Related links

• Press Kit: Audi B8 A4 allroad quattro (October 2012)
• Specifications: Audi B8 A4 allroad quattro (October 2012)
• Technical data: Audi B8 A4 allroad quattro (October 2012)
• Wikipedia.org: Audi B8 A4