THE AUDI Allroad quattro is not your average passenger wagon. The Australian launch of the petrol V6 Allroad in February, 2001, was a curtain-raiser for the manufacturer that first mated four-wheel drive with a passenger car more than 20 years ago. And now, with the introduction of its V6 turbo-diesel model, the 2.5 TDI, Audi shows us it is serious about competing in the growing and diversifying off-road segment. Audi has resisted the temptation to build a competitor to high-riding trailblazers like the BMW X5 or Mercedes-Benz M-class, and the result is an outstanding A6-based luxury wagon with family appeal, a huge level of equipment, strong engine performance, excellent on-road dynamics and a surprising level of grip and control off the bitumen.