A HEAVY duty version of Audi's latest A4 estate is on the way in the shape of a new allroad quattro.

Following on from the original version of the pumped up A4 Avant the new allroad will be available later in the year.

As with the new A4, the allroad is bigger than before but tipping the scales at some 1.5 tonnes it is 90 kilos lighter than its predecessor.

With flared wheel arches and underbody protection panels, the new A4 allroad is designed for soft-road conditions and has extra ground clearance of almost 1.5 inches over the regular Avant.

Luggage capacity is the same at 505 litres extending to a maximum of 1,510 litres with the rear seats folded and it can tow up to 2.1 tonnes.

The allroad quattro will be available with a variety of petrol and diesel engines with power outputs ranging from 150 to 272ps.

The range topping 3.0-litre diesel will also feature an eight speed automatic gearbox which results in a 0 to 60 acceleration of 5.5 seconds with an official fuel return of 53.3mpg and emissions of 139g/km.

As well as quattro all wheel drive the allroad is also fitted with an uprated suspension and an electronic off-road mode which configures the vehicle for tougher conditions.

A power operated tailgate is standard with remote opening available as an option.

As with other versions of the new A4, the interior has a high tech feel and can be set up with Audi's virtual instrument panel with its multi-mode display and a voice control system which recognises any spoken command.

Driver aids include adaptive cruise control and a manoeuvre assist function which allows the car to be steered via the multimedia rotary controller in the centre console when reversing with a trailer.

The new A4 allroad had its world premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit where Audi also showed off an experimental zero emission hydrogen-powered SUV.

The h-tron concept car is powered by a fuel cell which enables the vehicle to be driven by electricity for more than 370 miles on one tank of fuel.

Based on the battery powered e-tron concept which Audi revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2015, the fuel cell model has a top speed of 124mph and can accelerate from 0 to 60 in less than seven seconds.

It also features semi-autonomous driving systems which enables the car to drive itself in traffic at speeds of up to 37mph - technology Audi is planning to introduce on the next generation A8 saloon in 2017.