Audi debuted a unique crossover at Detroit, designed to demonstrate electronic systems that are destined to enter production in the next few years, while still sporting the character typical of Audi's Avant line. This allroad quattro concept features a brand-new 4.0-liter/281-horsepower V-8 turbodiesel engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that combine to promise 0-62 mph in 6.4 seconds with an electonically limited top speed of 155 mph. While Audi is known for its permanent quattro all-wheel drive systems, and has sold more than 1.8 million so-equipped cars in 25 years of production, high-technology in this vehicle goes farther than the powertrain and drive system: the allroad quattro concept also features "Audi Road Vision," which is an optical sensor that recognizes road surfaces and conditions (such as gravel or black ice) for increased driving safety. Other features are "Audi lane assist" which causes the steering wheel to vibrate to alert the driver should the car inadvertently change lanes, and "Audi side assist" in which sensors monitor the area around and behind the vehicle to inform the driver of obstructions in their blind spots.
