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2009 Audi A4 Allroad Quattro – Auto Shows – Car and Driver
Remember the Allroad Quattro? Audi’s upscale answer to the
, based on the last-generation A6 Avant, was originally developed with the U.S. market in mind. It came with tough-looking cladding, a cool concept car-like interior treatment, and an air suspension that allowed ground clearance to be adjusted from up to 8.2 inches or lowered to 5.6 inches, putting it so close to the ground that it actually looked sportier than a regular A6 Avant. It was even available outside the U.S. with a low-range transfer case.
Surprisingly popular in Europe, Audi developed a successor, but because the original Allroad sold so poorly here, the company decided to keep the current generation away from the unappreciative U.S. market. Nevertheless, the A6 Allroad Quattro has since been downgraded to a styling package, losing some of its off-road capabilities.
Audi is now debuting the same trick with the A4 Avant at the . And as with the A6, technological changes for the A4 Allroad Quattro are very limited. The stability-control system has a specific off-road sensor, dubbed ORD. It recognizes road conditions and can allow more wheel slip as you might encounter during off-road adventures. And with 17- and 18-inch wheels on high-speed street tires, you might actually need that assistance.
The A4 Allroad Quattro is really a styling exercise. There are stainless-steel skid plates front and rear to keep rocks from tearing up the oil pan and vehicle floor, increased ground clearance, and a track widened by almost an inch. Wider fenders and unpainted portions of the front and rear bumpers and sideskirts set it apart from the regular A4 Avant. There are standard roof rails and a unique front grille, which is similar to the A6 Allroad Quattro’s. The cabin gets special materials for the seats, but judging from what we have seen so far, the package could definitely use more distinct interior features.
In Europe, where the A4 Allroad will be offered early this summer, the entry-level engine will be the 170-hp, 2.0-liter TDI diesel mated to a six-speed manual. Two more upscale choices, a 211-hp, 2.0-liter TFSI gasoline four-cylinder, and 240-hp, 3.0-liter V-6 TDI diesel, both coupled with Audi’s seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, will be available. The Quattro all-wheel-drive system is rear-biased with a 40/60 front/rear-distribution. Depending on road conditions, it can vary the split between 65/35 and 15/85.
The Allroad will cost a few thousand euros more than the standard model on which it is based, but comes in under the A4’s sporty S-line package. No word yet on a U.S. launch, but sources high within the company tell us that the policy of keeping the Allroad versions out of the U.S. market is constantly reviewed. But, with the launch of the new carlike
, we don’t expect to see the Allroad here anytime soon.
DUI – Don’t Let Your Celebration Be Dampened By DUI
Don’t let your celebration be dampened by DUI. Drinking alcohol and driving are not a good combination. Remember the consequences of drinking and driving before you get behind the wheel.
(ARA) – While many Americans have become conditioned to take extra steps to avoid drinking and driving, distressing numbers of accidents are still caused by it every year.
While serving alcoholic beverages often goes hand-in-hand with hosting a celebration, it’s important to remember – and remind your guests – the consequences of driving drunk. In the winter, added factors such as poor driving conditions due to the weather, shorter daytime driving hours and other driving distractions create a higher possibility of tragedy on the road.
According to FindLaw.com, the nation’s leading online source for legal information, drunk driving means being under the influence of any substance (alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription drugs, etc.) that impairs a person’s ability to safely operate a motorized vehicle (car, motorcycle, boat, all-terrain vehicle (ATV), etc.). All 50 states and the District of Columbia have laws defining it as a crime to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above a proscribed level, currently .08 percent in most states. On average, the BAC among fatally injured drinking drivers is .16 and the relative risk of death for drivers in single-vehicle crashes with a high BAC is 385 times that of someone with a zero BAC.
The most important thing to do before going out to a party or meeting friends at a local bar is to become familiar with the consequences of drinking and driving in your state. In many states, public safety officials are actively taking a stance against drunk driving through public information campaigns and stepped-up roadside DUI checks, especially during peak times.
Here are some additional tips from FindLaw.com on how to have a safer, DUI-free party:
* Select a designated driver. Make sure to choose someone who promises not to drink and who will make sure that all passengers buckle up.
* Take a cab or public transportation. If you’re traveling alone or with just one other person, consider taking a cab or public transportation to and from your event.
* Hosting the party. If you host a party, either at your home or at your workplace, make sure to offer your guests a cab ride to get home, if they need it. Make sure to also offer non-alcoholic beverages to your guests – as well as food to offset alcohol intake.
* Be aware that you can receive a DUI while operating snowmobiles and ATVs as well. Also keep in mind that alcohol consumption combined with excessive speed and the lack of safety belts dramatically increases your odds of injury during a collision on the trail.
* Put down the cell phone. Even if you’ve only had one glass of wine or one beer, alcohol in any quantity can impair. Avoid compounding the situation with distractions such as talking on your cell phone or texting, which takes your eyes off the road.
* If you’re pulled over, remember to treat the officer with respect; otherwise, he or she could use your defiance as evidence against you in a trial. Turn your car off, put your keys on the dashboard, keep your hands on the steering wheel, in full view of the police officer and be prepared to show your driver’s license and proof of auto insurance.
* Think twice about refusing to take a breath test or blood alcohol content test. Some states impose severe consequences if you refuse a blood or breath test, as opposed to taking one and failing.
* Behavior matters. Even if you do test below the legal limit of .08 (standard in many states), an officer who still believes that you have demonstrated behavior that prevents you from safely operating a motor vehicle can arrest you. If you are taken to court, the prosecution will almost always rely on the arresting officer’s testimony about your behavior and operation of the vehicle. This includes swerving your car, having slurred speech and/or bloodshot eyes, a heavy odor of alcohol and your inability to walk straight.
* Hire an attorney. Being convicted of a DUI can have serious ramifications. If you do go to court, it’s essential to hire a defense attorney who specializes in DUI matters. To locate a lawyer who specializes in DUIs in your area, search FindLaw.com.
Kool and The Gang – Celebration 1980
Doing your groundwork to ensure you avail the best auto insurance rates
Finding the right deals on insurance is something every automobile owner aspires to do. It is not always possible for everyone to get the best deals in the market. Sometimes it becomes rather a complex process with too many factors being considered. Knowing what you are looking for and understanding the market is important if you want to have the upper hand. Saving money on auto insurance is hardly impossible and with some perseverance you can easily find the best auto insurance rates.
In the USA, auto insurance is a compulsory requirement in most states. The cost of auto insurance varies based on the state in which you reside. The types of insurance policies and the amount that a vehicle should be insured for mandatorily are also different. With many basic differences hard to spot, people may not be able to make a choice easily. With some scrutiny and careful consideration, the process becomes far easier. Getting an idea of what is available in the market is important. This is quite easy with many companies offering online comparisons and quotes.
Reading the fine print also sheds plenty of light on the deals in the market. The important thing to understand is that the best auto insurance rtes are neither the really cheap bargains nor the really expensive policies. It depends on your usage and the circumstances that warrant maximum coverage. For someone in an avalanche prone area, coverage against disasters is important. For another person with a really expensive car that is loaded with security features, cutting down on the insurance costs become easier.
Make sure that you also know of the many discounts available. Many people assume that paying high premiums is the best way to get completely insured in a secure manner. This is not true. You can be just as secure with lesser premiums paid provided you get the right kind of coverage. The important thing is to know where to put your money. With a good driving record, you can obtain discounts. If your usage is limited you can opt for higher deductible and lesser premium amounts. Added to this, having a clean record also entitles you to discounts from the company so do keep your eyes and ears peeled for that. In addition understanding the fine print will enable you to ask the right questions so you can negotiate the best auto insurance rates.
Auto Insurance Rates
New Car Shopping?
New car shopping? Why the time is right, and why it’s the right thing to do.
(ARA) – Highly motivated dealers, offers to make your payments if you lose your job and a wealth of inventory – all make it a great time to buy a new car.
Even with American automakers’ very public struggles to stay afloat, many financial and business experts agree that the American automobile industry will never disappear. But a perfect storm of rising inventory, greater competition and economic factors make this summer a particularly good time to buy a new car.
Factors driving the trend include:
* Ample Inventory
Right now, most American auto dealers have about a six-month inventory of new vehicles on their lots. That means if they stopped adding cars to their inventories tomorrow, they’d still be able to sell for six months before they ran out.
Ideally, dealers prefer to keep smaller inventories — just a few months’ worth — because every unsold vehicle costs them money the longer it sits on their lots. For potential buyers, this excess of inventory means more motivated dealers and a wider selection of makes and models to choose from — even high-demand hybrids.
* Incentives
From zero percent financing and no-money-down deals to low interest rates on shorter-term loans, dealers are offering a plethora of incentives to woo buyers. Rebates and employee pricing have been around for a while, but last year several car companies introduced programs that promise to make at least some car payments for you if you lose your job (and income) within a certain time frame after buying one of their cars. With the arrival of warm weather – traditionally a prime car-buying season – dealers and automakers are rolling out new incentives every week.
* Financing
With competition for your car-buying dollar expected to become even fiercer, your financing options may soon expand. You’ll be in an especially good position to land a deal if you know the power of your credit score prior to negotiations.
Your credit report and score give lenders a better idea of what kind of credit risk you may be. The higher your score, the more likely it is that you will be able to negotiate good finance terms for your auto loan.
If you don’t know what’s on your credit report, find out before you head out to the dealer’s lot. Web sites like FreeCreditReport.com give you instant access to your free credit report and score with enrollment in their in Triple Advantage Credit Monitoring membership.
* Competition
Not only are new car dealers competing with each other, they’re competing with a booming used car market. More Americans are opting to buy used vehicles, perceiving them as cheaper to purchase. Yet new cars most often cost less to operate and maintain, so buying a new car now (when everyone else is looking for used) may actually make greater economic sense for you in the long run.
Finally you might consider buying a new car because it’s one way you can actually help the economy. Recovery from the recession is everyone’s concern and responsibility, federal officials have said. Contributing your hard-earned dollars to support a vital American industry can not only put you in a new set of wheels you’ll enjoy for years, it can give you a sense of doing your part for the economy as well.