2013 Audi A4 Allroad--Ordered!!!!!

[MCTB]

Not to denigrate your choice or anything, I'm just wondering what the thinking was on the corporate strategy level.

I said the same thing. The Q5 is the same price, just about. So, why would they kill an actual A6 allroad for the Q7 but bring this in alongside the Q5? It might only make sense if they completely kill the A4 avant but even then, its still competing against a very similarly priced vehicle fulfilling the same role.

[TREGinginCO]

Americans love SUVs... so the Q5/7 strategy works here and is doing well for Audi. I think the allroad is an attempt to conquest some Outback owners who are also looking to go more upscale. And... as the A4 avant hasn't been a great seller.... maybe Audi is trying to build or expand on an idea for the US... that "wagons" can be cool!

[Shomegrown]

I said the same thing. The Q5 is the same price, just about. So, why would they kill an actual A6 allroad for the Q7 but bring this in alongside the Q5? It might only make sense if they completely kill the A4 avant but even then, its still competing against a very similarly priced vehicle fulfilling the same role.

It's the same reason they can offer the A6 and A7. Choice is good. It's only meant to be small volume vehicle. It will cater to those like myself who would (with things being equal) take the Allroad over the Q5.

Unfortunately they're going to offer much better powertrains in the Q5 so my choice is a lot tougher. The chances of me getting one of the two (Q5, Allroad) within the next 2 years is pretty good.

[Fritz27]

Americans love SUVs... so the Q5/7 strategy works here and is doing well for Audi. I think the allroad is an attempt to conquest some Outback owners who are also looking to go more upscale. And... as the A4 avant hasn't been a great seller.... maybe Audi is trying to build or expand on an idea for the US... that "wagons" can be cool!

I think Audi is smart enough to know there's a niche of people that like everything about SUVs except the image they portray. Therefore they sell the A4 Allroad to those people at a relatively silly price and then dive into a huge pile of money like Scrooge McDuck.

[MCTB]

Americans love SUVs... so the Q5/7 strategy works here and is doing well for Audi. I think the allroad is an attempt to conquest some Outback owners who are also looking to go more upscale. And... as the A4 avant hasn't been a great seller.... maybe Audi is trying to build or expand on an idea for the US... that "wagons" can be cool!

I guess that makes sense. I personally would take an Outback but thats because I think its a better package. I understand the whole choice is good thing but I wonder what the sales of the A4 Allroad are going to be versus the C5 allroad. Then, comparatively against the Q5. I just dont know if a lot of people are going to be buying it.

[SoSuMi]

I might consider the allroad at some point in the (near) future because I don't care for the "bloated" Q series look. I think that A4 Avant is one of Audi's best looking cars and with the Avant not returning for 2013 that leaves us with the allroad which looks even gooder but with the unfortunate penalty price.

And I rooftop toys. Getting stuff on and off an allroad would be much easier than dealing with increased vertical roof height of the Q5.

But by the time I'm ready to put up, the BMW wagon will probably be available with their new four cylinder engine (and a manual).

[Stereodude]

It will cater to those like myself who would (with things being equal) take the Allroad over the Q5.

Unfortunately they're going to offer much better powertrains in the Q5 so my choice is a lot tougher. The chances of me getting one of the two (Q5, Allroad) within the next 2 years is pretty good.

Getting rid of the Chrysler... I mean VW?

[Shomegrown]

I think Audi is smart enough to know there's a niche of people that like everything about SUVs except the image they portray. Therefore they sell the A4 Allroad to those people at a relatively silly price and then dive into a huge pile of money like Scrooge McDuck.

Maybe I'm alone, but some also prefer the lower seating position of a car and the dynamics of a car. I think cars look better too.

Getting rid of the Chrysler... I mean VW?

Yeah, never planned on keeping it more than a year anyway.

As you know we got lucky (unlucky for me! ) with snow this past winter - but my wife would really prefer something with AWD again. She misses her Allroad.

[Fritz27]

Maybe I'm alone, but some also prefer the lower seating position of a car and the dynamics of a car. I think cars look better too.
.

It seems like the All-Road negates those though. I guess it makes less sense to me than a normal Avant.

If it were my money I'd get a Q5 3.0"T".

[MCTB]

I think that Audi should offer the 3.0 and the TDI. Put a TDI next to the Q5 in the showroom with a big sign on the roof touting 40+ mpg that way those who want the ground clearance but the better mileage would go Allroad. Those that want the crossover, would go Q5. I think that TDI is really needed to separate it from a vehicle that can do everything it can, for the same money.

[Shomegrown]

It seems like the All-Road negates those though. I guess it makes less sense to me than a normal Avant.

If it were my money I'd get a Q5 3.0"T".

It doesn't. I don't know why you'd assume it drives much different than a normal Avant, because that's what it is. (with a slight suspension lift and larger tires)

[bzcat]

It doesn't. I don't know why you'd assume it drives much different than a normal Avant, because that's what it is. (with a slight suspension lift and larger tires)

My beef is with the obscene price increase but Fritz raises an interesting point. Some of the handling advantage of A4 Avant may be lost due to the unnecessary suspension lift... similar to what happens with BMW xi with lifted suspension. Have you driven the allroad?

[I'm asking because I'm curious, not because I'm trying to start a fight... ]

[Turbio!]

My beef is with the obscene price increase but Fritz raises an interesting point. Some of the handling advantage of A4 Avant may be lost due to the unnecessary suspension lift... similar to what happens with BMW xi with lifted suspension. Have you driven the allroad?

[I'm asking because I'm curious, not because I'm trying to start a fight... ]

From what I hear, with the widened track, the differences are minimal compared to the standard Avant.

[Shomegrown]

My beef is with the obscene price increase but Fritz raises an interesting point. Some of the handling advantage of A4 Avant may be lost due to the unnecessary suspension lift... similar to what happens with BMW xi with lifted suspension. Have you driven the allroad?

[I'm asking because I'm curious, not because I'm trying to start a fight... ]

Yeah, I've driven a few A4 Allroads in Germany. Like I said, it doesn't ride or drive significantly different than a regular Avant...at least within the realm of semi-sane street driving. I took a few off-ramps at the limits of adhesion and it felt similar. If you're talking track times - sure, I wouldn't bet against it being a little slower, but that's obviously not the point.

And part of that difference is offset by the Allroad's wider tires. If you're going to talk modding, slap some coils and sticky 295 width tires on the Allroad and it will pull a full G. You can't stuff that kind of rubber on a normal A4.

[TREGinginCO]

Have you driven the allroad? ]

I have... three different times.... It's a great driver!

[DZD]

get it paint matched:

That looks hot!



Me Likey. Congrats Treg!

[TREGinginCO]

Although my vehicle has been special ordered... I'm told the first batch of allroads are expected to arrive at the Port of Houston on Friday 4/27.

[J-Tim]

Not to denigrate your choice or anything, I'm just wondering what the thinking was on the corporate strategy level.

There are plenty of people who simply hate high seating position, which you are stuck with in SUVs, etc. There is also shape.

It could be said in reverse as in why bother with SUVs when a normal station wagon will do the same or a better job ?

[cshecks]

Hmm. Well, for my money i don't ever think I'd even consider the Q5 or Q7, if I'm going to get an SUV it'll be a TDI Touareg, something that wont mind getting dirty, doing some work, and still looking sharp as a tack (looks wise I highly prefer it over any Audi SUV). I am however going to cross shop the A4 Allroad as it'll still get great gas milage and will have some driving pep. Right now my issue is vs the luxury of the A4 Allroad or the utility of the Treg. I'm just really not interested in any RX wanna be Audi SUV's (lets be honest, this is the market they are trying to break into thus when you see them parked side by side you can barely tell the diff outside of the badging and front grill). For my money I think I'd rather get the RX - looks like a much better vehicle all the way around outside of pure driving dynamics, and a better bang for the buck.

[Professor Gascan]

I'm just wondering what the thinking was on the corporate strategy level.

From what I've been able to put together, it was more of a stopgap to add some extra sales capability. The Q5 is pretty much maxed out in terms of production, while the A4 Avant in the US was a non-starter. So, take the A4 Avant out of the mix, replace it with the A4 Allroad to capture some potentially lost Q5 sales and conquest a few more. Profit?

Personally, I like it, but the powertrain choices is likely going to put me in a Q5 after I'm done with the XC60.

[Turbio!]

There are plenty of people who simply hate high seating position, which you are stuck with in SUVs, etc. There is also shape.
?

Given the utter failure of the Avant, there isn't many of them.

It could be said in reverse as in why bother with SUVs when a normal station wagon will do the same or a better job ?

There's not a station wagon on Earth that does all the jobs my SUV can.

From what I've been able to put together, it was more of a stopgap to add some extra sales capability. The Q5 is pretty much maxed out in terms of production, while the A4 Avant in the US was a non-starter. So, take the A4 Avant out of the mix, replace it with the A4 Allroad to capture some potentially lost Q5 sales and conquest a few more. Profit?
.

Now, this I believe. I don't believe the market of people who are in the market for a crossover, but think they look cooler in a raised wagon, is substantial. I do believe that there's more demand for Q5s that AoA can satisfy, and that at least a few Q5 intenders could be sold an A4 allroad if the alternative is a 4-month wait.

[SoSuMi]

There's not a station wagon on Earth that does all the jobs my SUV can.

You sir, just haven't looked hard enough...

[Turbio!]

But let's face it, am I awesome enough to drive that? No.

[Fritz27]

But let's face it, am I awesome enough to drive that? No.

Have you tried growing a mustache?

[TREGinginCO]

I was hoping to have a production number and likely arrival date by now - but nothing so far!

[EUROBORA8V]

I was hoping it would be around $45k. It might make more sense for me to get an X1 instead now

Did we forget about Tiguan?

[Stereodude]

I was hoping to have a production number and likely arrival date by now - but nothing so far!

Odd, I ordered my B8.5 2013 S4 almost 1 month after you ordered your Allroad and I have a scheduled arrival date

[Turbio!]

Have you tried growing a mustache?

Challenge accepted.

[J-Tim]

Given the utter failure of the Avant, there isn't many of them.

Avants sell more than well enough, otherwise Audi would stop making them long time ago.

A proper will go offroad a lot better than a station wagon due to better approach angles. I don't however live on a farm or go offroad and an SUV of the same length would be too much of a compromise due to a smaller cabin and cargo capacity. That before we get to the whole "bus-driver" seating position, which I absolutely cannot stand.

[romanl]

Given the utter failure of the Avant, there isn't many of them.
.

come to LA, tons and tons of them here. i love A4 avant.
i see u in Denver (it is my goal to move there in next year or two) the land of SUBARU's
but here in LA, or for some reason in UT *(i lived in Park City for a bit) AUDI's are the Subarus and A4 avants are everywhere

[Turbio!]

Avants sell more than well enough, otherwise Audi would stop making them long time ago.
.

...outside the US. Here, they sell like pickled cat buttholes. We're discussing the US market, so...

I don't however live on a farm or go offroad and an SUV of the same length would be too much of a compromise due to a smaller cabin and cargo capacity. That before we get to the whole "bus-driver" seating position, which I absolutely cannot stand.

An SUV of the same length would typically have more room, because they usually have less tumblehome, more upright seating, and a higher roof.

And yeah, I know you love to throw around that "bus driver" thing as often as possible. Duly noted, moving on.

[Turbio!]

come to LA, tons and tons of them here. i love A4 avant.
i see u in Denver (it is my goal to move there in next year or two) the land of SUBARU's
but here in LA, or for some reason in UT *(i lived in Park City for a bit) AUDI's are the Subarus and A4 avants are everywhere

I know it might look like there are tons of them, but the simple fact is that Audi would sell a full line of wagons if it could do so profitably in this country. They can't, reflected in the fact that they've continually reduced their wagon lineup.

We've got plenty of Audi wagons around here, too. Doesn't mean that's the same everywhere.

[TREGinginCO]

I now have my production/commission number, but there is still no word on a potential arrival date. Hell... it doesn't even look like they've started building my car.

[chdavis]

Just saw one of these at my dealer. Didn't realize they had gotten rid of the adjustable air suspension. Quite disappointing, it one of the few things that made the original allroad interesting.

[unimogken]

Glacier White on black,

Is white a standard choice or is it an option?
If it is an option how much did that add to the price?