Audi scored a big success with the A6 Allroad back in 1999, and the management thought that it might get the same result with a smaller brother, the A4 Allroad.
In 2009, the German carmaker introduced the A4 Allroad on the market. It was, basically, an A4 on stilts. The station-wagon already had an all-wheel-drive system. All it needed to become a compact crossover was higher ground clearance. At least, that’s what the marketing department thought. The engineers started to work, the design team enhanced the car’s look, and the result was not as good as expected.

Apart from the basic bodywork of an A4 Avant (that’s Audi’s designation for station-wagons), the Allroad version featured plastic moldings on the wheel arches, side sills, and lower bumpers. They were colored either gray or dark gray, depending on the vehicle’s color. A set of aluminum roof-rails was fitted as standard. In the back, a small roof-spoiler enhanced the look of the rear end, together with a plastic skid plate under the bumper.

Inside, it was just a regular Audi A4 Avant. The instrument cluster was extended over the center console and included the infotainment screen. It was curved toward the driver to amplify the driving sensations. A mix of aluminum, leather, and wood-trims enhanced the car’s interior look. Between the tachometer and speedometer, Audi installed a small TFT screen for the on-board computer.

Under the hood, the Germans planted a choice of five engines paired either with a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic (dual-clutch).