Launched at the Geneva motor show this year, the Audi model range in South Africa will soon include the allroad quattro, shown at Auto Africa 2000. This vehicle combines the dynamic luxury of a top-class model with the outstanding off-road capability of a fully fledged all-terrain vehicle.

Supreme on the road, undefeated by rough terrain - the Audi allroad quattro makes no compromises. It is the answer for drivers whose demands don't stop when the "either - or" decision between an off-roader and a road-going car has to be made. In the Audi allroad quattro they enjoy a perfect blend of the finest technology from both worlds.

Powered by the 2.7-litre V6 "biturbo", rated at 184 kW it comes with the choice of either a manual 6-speed-plus-low-range or tiptronic gearbox. This gives the new Audi the torque and power output potential to tackle every situation with the prowess of a true high-performance athlete.

On all kinds of terrain and in every situation, Audi's permanent all-wheel drive-line converts this power with unfailing efficiency into forward movement. Exclusive to the allroad quattro is the driver-engaged Low Range transmission, standard on the versions with manual-shift gearbox, for optimum progress across particularly tough terrain and on extreme uphill gradients.

4-level air suspension

Audi's chassis and suspension development engineers are used to being asked to square the circle, but a vehicle that delivers equally perfect results on the road and across difficult, rough terrain - surely that's impossible! After all, the very characteristics that make for an effective off-roader are potential weak points when driving on the road.

The answer is obvious: a specialist vehicle for all kinds of surfaces needs variable ground clearance. Audi's development engineers therefore designed a most ingenious, electronically controlled air suspension system for both the front and rear wheels of the allroad quattro. No rival model has anything comparable to offer.

The system enables the ground clearance to be varied by as much as 66 millimetres, with four distinct ride heights between 142 and 208 millimetres at the driver's disposal: a broad basis for all driving conditions, with either a low centre of gravity or extra ground clearance available as the situation demands.

Integrated ride height control keeps the selected level constant automatically, regardless of changes in the vehicle's payload or weight distribution.

The key elements in this system are the air supply unit and the electronic control system, both of which are installed at the rear of the vehicle. Each road wheel has a ride-height sensor that detects ground clearance and adjusts the relevant air spring strut separately to maintain the correct ride height at all times.

The Audi allroad quattro's lowest ride height is intended for optimum travel at speeds above 120 km/h in particular. Ground clearance is reduced, which has the effect of lowering aerodynamic drag quite considerably - a major factor in avoiding excessive fuel consumption at high speeds. This is an important design feature that the typical off-roader with its poor aerodynamics cannot match.

The normal ride height, which is 25 millimetres higher, is suitable in particular for driving on firm road surfaces at up to 120 km/h, and ensures dynamic progress with a convincing standard of refinement and ride comfort.

A further 25 millimetres of ground clearance are obtained in raised suspension level 1, which is ideal for easy and difficult terrain. The road speed can be up to 80 km/h, at which point the allroad quattro is automatically lowered to the normal setting. Raised position 1 is also selected automatically when the vehicle is parked with the automatic ride height control activated.

Finally, there is raised suspension level 2, which adds a further 16 millimetres of ground clearance so that the Audi allroad quattro is capable of tackling even extreme terrain. At this level, which can be activated manually, the allroad quattro has a maximum ground clearance of 208 millimetres and has absolutely no trouble crossing undulating surfaces. The highest level remains active up to 35 km/h. Steep slopes are no obstacle for the allroad quattro either - its all-wheel drive system offers the perfect basis for an excellent climbing performance.

Ride height can be controlled either fully automatically or manually at a dash-panel control unit above the centre console. This gives the driver push-button control of the most suitable suspension setting.

In the manual mode, the next height setting can be selected from any ride height. An LED display remains constant or flashes to indicate when the chosen height has been reached or if the adjustment is still in progress. Electronic limiters prevent the driver from accidentally choosing too high a ride height, for instance when the vehicle is moving too fast.


The intelligent control unit selects ground clearance according to road speed. When the driver accelerates beyond predetermined speed limits, the body is automatically lowered, both in the automatic and in the manual mode.

For example, above 35 km/h the body is always lowered from raised level 2 to raised level 1, and above 80 km/h it is lowered further to the normal setting. After driving above 120 km/h for over 30 seconds in the automatic mode, the allroad quattro moves into the aerodynamically optimised low level.

If the automatic mode is active, the body will be raised again from the low level to the normal ride height setting at certain speeds if the vehicle's speed is reduced. Above all, this optimises ride comfort when driving at low speed.

However, if road speeds vary frequently, this does not mean that the ride height constantly changes, since the occupants of the vehicle could well find this irritating. The allroad quattro must have been moving continuously for at least thirty seconds below 35 km/h or a full two minutes below 70 km/h. This means that the vehicle remains at the low level when passing through a short stretch of motorway roadworks at 60 km/h, for example.

Functional and sporty: design

The Audi allroad quattro's design communicates its highly functional character by interpreting the elegant, sporting appearance of the A6 Avant body in a new way. The wide track and a moderate increase in body height result in a highly individual, muscular silhouette. An undertray made of ribbed stainless steel, boldly shaped bumpers and flared wheel arches are immediate clues to the allroad quattro's off-road talents. This bold appearance is emphasised still more by a roof painted in a contrasting colour and with longitudinal ribs.

The driver and passengers enjoy an interior that transfers the high standard offered by Audi's premium models to this new model concept. Both the materials and their workmanship again set new standards.

With various subtle nuances, the designers have succeeded magnificently in combining the sporty, authentic directness of the allroad quattro with the elegance of the A6's interior. Two interior colour combinations are available: "Fern/Steppe Green" or "Grey/Black".

As befits an ideal leisure and touring vehicle, the Audi allroad quattro has a highly variable interior. As a representative of Audi's Avant concept, it can either offer comfortable seating for up to five people or a vast load area with a maximum volume of 1590 litres. There is then ample space for mountain bikes or any amount of equipment for an adventure holiday. Thanks to a maximum payload limit of 630 kilograms, the allroad quattro swallows up such loads with ease. An additional strength: the Audi allroad quattro is allowed to tow loads of up to 2300 kilograms on a maximum gradient of 12 percent.