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Spyshots: 2016 Audi A4 allroad quattro Refuses to Reveal Its Tough Body

You know how boxers come onto the stage fully covered by their robes and reveal their buff selves at the last moment? Well, the Audi A4 allroad quattro is a bit like that. Even though the model is likely to be revealed in the early part of 2016, none of the toughened bodywork is known to us yet.
2016 Audi A4 allroad quattro 11 photos
Photo: SB-Medien
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Still, our spy photographers have tracked every movement of this A4 Avant mule on Europe's most popular winter testing mode. It rides a little taller, but we expected that. It has all-wheel-drive, but we expected that also. Pretty much nothing has changed since the last time we saw the A4 allroad prototype except for the capped tips of the exhaust system.

Of course, the A4 allroad is not an exact copy of its low-riding Avant brother. It will have extra underbody protection to guard vulnerable components from stones and tree stubs, so as not to have your vacation ruined by a split oil pan.

The model will also feature a chromed grille with more horizontal bars, which is the trademark of all allroad models. Roof rails will make installing bikes, skis and large Thule roof boxes easier.

The beefier suspension will be accompanied by tweaked ABS designed to cope with loose traction surfaces. The throttle response will also be different in off-road mode. But so far, there has not been any indication that the A4 chassis can be equipped with height-adjustable suspension, as seen on the Q7 and bigger A6 allroad.

As for engines, this prototype seems to be fitted with the 252 horsepower 2.0 TFSI, since it's the only one that features dual exhaust. However, we also expect a 190 PS version of that engine and several diesels of the same displacement.

Based on what customers have been saying about the 2016 A4, the pick of the bunch could be the 218 PS version of the 3.0 TDI, since it's more frugal than most in the real world, and it outclasses all the four-bangers in refinement, including those offered by rival automakers on the Mercedes C 250 d or BMW 325d.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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