AUDI's sales explosion in the past few years is referred to by the company as a 'product firework' that has seen an explosion in sales.
The Chinese would be envious at the amount of firerackers the German car makers have produced and you can see why, once again, they are able to capture the public's imagination.
Vorsprung Durch Technik seemed a ridiculous phrase when first introduced in the 1970s, but there are not many potential car buyers who do not associate that phrase with Audi.
The phrase roughly means advancement through technology and the company are still busily putting that into practice by investing two billion Euros a year in new models, with the ultimate aim of taking the current model range from 27 to 40 by the year 2012.
Audi makes no secret of the clientele it wishes to attract: young, aspirational and with plenty of cash.
That may be the case but the brand still offers something for every age range, if not every pocket.
Take the allroad, based on the A6 Avant estate, and as the name implies a four-wheel drive car with plenty to offer.
Many Audis offer the excellent quattro four-wheel drive, but the allroad also has muscular looks that mark it as an offroader.
Unlike the Q7, Audi's other offroader, it retains the A6 look with the trademark deep grille sporting the Audi rings, but adds a number of distinctive features like matt-black flared wheel arches and sills and stainless steel stoneguard underneath the car and neat aluminium roof rails unique to the car.
It also features larger, electrically heated door mirrors that fold flat and stylish alloy wheels.
The interior is a wonderfully comfortable place to be with acres of space for all occupants. The large boot area will carry the proverbial kitchen sink, but fold the seats down and you get the rest of the kitchen in there as well and it is accessed from a low loading sill.
The fixtures and fittings are of typically high-quality build with nice soft touch finishes and high quality intrumentation and including quality wood inlays. The Audi rings are visible inside with the air vents and everything clunks and clicks with a reassuring quality sound.
The car features three engines, with the 180bhp 2.7 turbodiesel in the test car offering the best economy.
It is a very refined engine, barely audible except when the driver is heavy on the accelerator.
It offers decent pace as well, the 0-62mph sprint takes just 9.3 seconds while the Tiptronic transmission makes the gearshift seamless, with the option available to shift through the paddles mounted behind the steering wheel.
Economy is reasonable at 32.8mpg with careful driving, but CO2 emissions of 230g/km make it an expensive company car option.
The car features Audi's on demand quattro four-wheel drive and for those seriously considering taking it offroad, five settings on the air supsension. This can be raised to maximum ground clearance, set to comfort mode for comfortable cruising or firmer for a more sporty ride. The four-wheel drive offers plenty of grip and stability control also keeps the car in a straight line.
Driver and occupants are well insulated from road, wind and tyre noise.
Safety features include anti-lock brakes, front and side airbags and Isofix child seat system.
There is a host of standard kit, which is just as well because the hefty allroad has a hefty price tag, but residual prices are always good with Audi.
The allroad is an accomplished car that will appeal to a targeted audience, but that seems to be what Audi is all about.
FAST FACTS
Audi A6 allroad quattro 2.7 TDI
Price: £34,400
Mechanical: 180bhp, 2,698cc, 6cyl diesel engine driving four wheels via 6spd automatic gearbox
Max speed: 134mph
0-62mph: 9.3 secs
Combined mpg: 32.8
Insurance group: 15
C02 emissions: 230g/km
Bik rating: 35%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles, 3yrs paint, 12 yrs anti-rust