itacud

The bumpers do have less overhang on the allroad than the 2.7t, and the body panels are all different. So, if they wanted to put a different look on the allroad, they could have with no additional costs incurred.

While I do agree with you about the new A6 having a very nice look, I don't think the allroad's nose is too out of character for it. =)

cyjack

>>I see no logic to bringing the 4.2 to the market (in an allroad) -- for who would buy a car this expensive (high high $50's) and slog it through the offroad crap? And the next step up (S6 avant) would be a relatively minor decision, once one had reached this price range, eh?<<

Since when does logic have anything to do with car purchases? ;-)

I hear a lot of people saying "for just a little more you could get an S6." That's certainly true, but so what? There are plenty of wonderful options out there at that price point, people who will buy a 4.2 allroad will buy it because they want an allroad, not because they cheaped out on an S6.

>>Especially, hot on the heels of the new Car and Driver article wherein 8 or 9 SUV-like vehicles (high buck ones) were tested and the new VW with the Audi 4.2 V8 (@ 310 HP) won and is able to be had for an MSRP (base) of $36+K?<<

There is no chance that the Touareg in 4.2 trim is going to start at $36,000 -- zero, nada. Given the way that they'll be optioned I think folks here in the States will be lucky if we can get the V6 version at that price.

cyjack

is one of my favorite things about the allroad vs. standard A6s.

It looks better (at least in my opinion) and has many practical benefits (allows for a steeper approach angle, let's me get out of some tight spots).

Finman

financial reasons still makes sense...they could have revised the front grille to look more like the new A6/S6, etc...but chose not to...perhaps they just like it the way it is and don't feel it needed to be "freshened" in just its second year...which is most likely...and/or...it would have cost $$$ to change it since it is not identical to the A6 front end...

But I bow to you all...the front end is shorter than the standard A6...bow...bow...bow...

itacud

kneeling maybe, but not bowing. =)

cyjack

how does "finanacial reasons" make sense? For carmakers different means more expensive. It would have been a heck of a lot cheaper to go with the same exact front-end, just w/o paint and/or with a plastic finish.

markcincinnati

The Car and Driver article CLAIMED a base price of $36K and an as tested price, I think, of $45K

I'll check the article again to see how they got to the price.

And, I agree logic is only ONE factor in bringing a product to market.

However, my dealer says OF ALL OF the allroads he has sold, he knows of none that have ever deliberately been off road.

Finman

It would cost money to redesign the front end of the allroad to accept a grille more similar to the rest of the A6 line. I don't know if that factored into leaving the grille the way it is...or more that it is still so new, they didn't see the need to change it so soon...plus, it is already so visually different, they didn't want to make it more similar.

But, right now, the allroad is the odd-one out of the Audi line-up. It is the only one without the squared-off grille. Not that it matters...but the A4, A6, and the upcoming A8 all have a bolder, more squared off grille...but it's good to be different.

itacud

Oh yeah! The road. ;-)

<img src="http://www.getoutanddrive.com/markfank/mark332.jpg">

<img src="http://www.getoutanddrive.com/markfank/mark320.jpg">

<img src="http://www.getoutanddrive.com/allroad/p1270050.jpg">


(Pics are of MarkFank's ex-allroad.)

Donegal TDI

Chaindrive for the camshafts will be the order of the day, necessary in one way to make the engine short enough to fit in the A6 engine bay, also Audi are phasing out belts anyway in favour of chain drive.

Repeating myself, I am!