Just like Volvo and SAAB before it, Audi's taking station wagons off the beaten track.

With its permanent all-wheel drive and increased ground clearance, the A4 allroad quattro is built for the road and trail. But it also gets the features of the normal A4 range: the same engines, Audi drive select (intelligent handling technology), S tronic transmission, and communication and assistance systems.

The design of the Audi A4 allroad quattro recalls the A4 Avant. But there are (slight) differences: the moon-grey single-frame radiator grille bearing vertical chrome strips; an accentuated bumper; large air inlets; chrome rings encircling the fog lights; LEDs comprising the daytime running lights and taillights; stainless-steel underbody guard underneath the front end and tail end.

Viewed from the side, the car gets flared wheel arches, angular sills (available with stainless-steel insert strips), and 17-inch wheels in seven-arm design as standard. The roof is capped off by an offset rail with two high crosspieces.

The width of the A4 allroad quattro is emphasised by the rear bumper's distinctive styling and the integrated horizontal reflectors.

And its ground clearance is greater than that of the Audi A4 Avant: 180mm when the Audi A4 allroad quattro is unloaded.

Visually less obvious, Audi has created a vehicle body consisting primarily of high-strength and ultra-strong steel panels — which, in turn, reduce the car's weight while boosting rigidity, vibrational comfort, and impact safety.

In addition to the two front airbags, there are side air bags in the front and, optionally, in the rear as well, while a head-protection airbag system also stands at the ready.

Befitting its character, the A4 allroad quattro is about practicality. The luggage compartment's base capacity of 490 litres can be increased to 1430 litres and a length of 1.78 metres by folding down the split rear-bench backrest. The luggage-compartment cover and the partition safety netting are stored in separate compartments; a mere tap of the hand triggers the cover to automatically retract upward. Additional standard equipment includes fastening rings and bag hooks as well as a shelf on one side with an adjustable net.

Every car also has a reversible loadliner, the underside of which has been designed as a dirt-resistant tray.

Sexy? Not so much. But in a package like Audi A4 allroad Quattro, certainly.