B9 allroad is launching next month in the US. That was the FIRST real and US spec allroad in America.
Lot of really cool touches and I'm really happy that Audi is back on it's easter egg game. The detail runs SO much deeper than on the B8.
There is still some NASTY plastic on the driver's knee bolster, the door cards flex (a lot), the transmission program is dim-witted and makes the engine seem to lag, even in Dynamic. I got used to the fixed screen after driving it a while but I would still prefer it folded in (that's the very first thing I tried to do when I got in). The B&O does not sound good at high volume. With even mild bass the speakers distort BADLY in the upper volume levels. Forget about listening to moderate and bass heavy music at high volumes. It's just terrible. You can see black Styrofoam behind the grille- though I love how much more open the grille is compared to C6/7 and B8 grilles. And they continue to use cheap carpet in the cargo area.
That's most of my major complaints. It uses a space saver spare, up to you whether or not that's a bother. I like it because they include a compressor which is handy and you never get caught out with a flat spare (TPMS should help you avoid that, but we all know that's finicky).
The latest 2.0T is a peach! Much improved in torque and usable power band than previously. The extra power helps but I think quattro with ultra tech does help as well. The 4 piston front monoblock calipers are easily my favorite feature. Loved them on the TT, love them on the allroad. They're immediate and crazy good at modulating. Steering is well weighted but obviously there is zero feeling coming back to the wheel so it's essentially lifeless. Visibility and driving position is good, the seat has a lot of movement and is fairly comfortable. The ride comfort is fine- what we've come to expect from the A4 platform. But suspension noise is noticeably improved- still not C segment good though.
The important part though: the interior. DRIPPING in tech and cool touches. The cluster is beautiful and bright, the top does oddly tip forward though. To fight glare maybe? I loved having just the cluster screen when I drove the MKIII TT but I get some people want the passenger to be able to see info. The cluster has all the info anyone needs though and the center screen is just redundant. Many controls are touch sensitive as well as physically actuated. That is to say, you rest your finger on the button and the pertinent screen displays options that the particular button controls. This is very cool because it allows the buttons to be unlabeled (the climate buttons) and info to be shown that is driver selected and therefore couldn't be labeled (radio presets). The gear selector is all electronic so park is a button, reverse is two clicks forward, drive is one click backward and the shifter stays in a center location at all times. It's very comfortable to rest your hand and useful when using the MMI wheel. Speaking of MMI the new button layout is SO MUCH MORE INTUITIVE. The toggle switches are great and look beautiful and the location of dedicated menu and return buttons is perfect. The allroad steering wheel has aluminum for the bottom spoke and looks much better than the A4 steering wheel, both have heat though. Three zone climate control is awesome and is easily sync'd to the driver. The center armrest is a bit awkward and cumbersome in it's movement. It doesn't come far enough forward and when retrieving items from the cubby beneath the armrest needs to be lifted very high before it will go all the way back down. The pockets in the doors are nearly useless because the opening is so small but the pocket is cavernous. Way too difficult to get things back out.
The back seat is quite spacious and comfortable. The fold down armrest has a storage lid that is magnetically latched (love that) but the storage is literally about 1/4" deep lol. I suppose it's perfect for a smartphone and wallet though so you can ride without things in your pockets. The 12v socket dummies have been redesigned to look like the mirror, climate and MMI knobs and it's a very nice detail. The center armrest also has some really nicely integrated cup holders. They'll pretty much only hold a can of soda as per usual. No bother for me but I know a lot of Americans love big gulps and oversized water bottles.
Cargo area has a trick, when you open the power hatch the cargo cover also automatically moves up and backwards. There's tons of hooks and tie downs and a warning triangle stored in the door. The carpet panel covering the spare is a communist piece of utter trash though. If it ever breaks on you you could make one out of a cereal box.
I quite like it overall. It has a much more aggressive and masculine shape and roofline and the tech and interior are awesome. The B8 didn't do too much for me, but this one feels so much more German in restraint, ergonomics and engineering.
Didn't intend on writing all that, but there you have it.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Copen-cisco
I hope they're right too, I worked hard on my sweet, sweet fenders lol.
Bookmarks