Teamspeed.com - Geneva Preview: 2010 Audi A4 allroad quattro ready for its closeup

While every other automaker was pumping out SUVs by the truckload (so to speak), Audi insisted that its wagons could offer the same benefits as a sport-ute – all wheel drive, rugged looks, cargo capacity – without the drawbacks. Ingolstadt has jumped on the sport-ute bandwagon since then, but hasn't given up the ghost on the wagon/SUV debate. While the A6-basded allroad quattro had to hold down the fort all by itself until now, at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, Audi will give it a kid brother based on the A4.

The Audi A4 allroad quattro is essentially an A4 Avant wagon, only beefed up for that go-anywhere look. Ground clearance is jacked up to a more commodious 180mm, while the underbody is reinforced front and rear with steel plates. Contrasting lower body cladding and flared wheel arches contribute to the off-road look, along with a unique grille, restyled rear bumper and roof rails on top of the Avant's sleek roofline. Of course traction is provided by Audi's trademark quattro all-wheel-drive system, putting the power down from the 211hp 2-liter TFSI, 170hp 2-liter TDI or 240hp 3-liter TDI (gas, diesel and diesel for those unfamiliar with VW Group lexicon) through the six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

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