In case you missed it, the time has come for a premium diesel, and Audi is going to - well might - deliver it one day, once they take a breath from rebuilding their lineup with a new A3, a redesigned A4, S4, A8 and A6.

They've been busy, these luxury makers of automobiles who think of themselves as the " most progressive member of the premium luxury class." There may be a few colleagues who would disagree with that estimation, but they're on pretty solid with the Audi Allroad Quattro concept, which debuted at the 2005 North American International Auto Show.

This crossover concept highlights the 25th anniversary of Quattro drive, and, according to Audi executives, will direct future technology in a most progressive manner. Features include permanent Quattro all-wheel drive, an advanced suspension and a four-liter V8 TDI engine with common rail fuel injection. The engine produces 286 horsepower and peak torque at 650 lb.ft.... The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The chassis and suspension of the Audi Allroad Quattro Concept features adaptive air suspension, which is a combination of air suspension and electronic control. The Audi Allroad Quattro includes technology designed to make driving safer and more proactive, such as Audi road vision, an optical sensor system able to recognize the condition of the road and its surface, an electronic stabilization program and adaptive cruise control. Audi lane assist, also a feature of the concept car, creates vibrations that emit through the steering wheel when the driver leaves his lane.

Perhaps they have a point about that progressive thing The Audi Allroad Quattro Concept is not currently scheduled for production.

By Brian Chee

Photos by Erik Hanson