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Volkswagen Group, BMW Z4 top Total Value Awards by Strategic Vision

It was just nine months ago that Strategic Vision announced its 2011 Total Value Awards, but you don't have to wait until next year for the 2012 awards. The Volkswagen Group keeps its lead as the number one brand, with seven products taking top category spots: Golf, Jetta Wagon, CC, Eos and Audi A3 Wagon, Q5 and Q7. Strategic Vision says "true innovation" - "rich and impactful, intuitive, motivational, in-depth and is able to trigger description by the user in great specificity" - is the open secret of the brands with the strongest showings. Results are culled from 77,153 owners covering more than 350 new cars bought between September of 2011 and 2012 ranked in the Total Value Index (TVI).
Other notable winners are Hyundai-Kia following VW in the brand category and having the Hyundai Elantra and Kia Sorento among category winners, the BMW Z4 taking the premium roadster category and the highest overall score of any vehicle, the Chevrolet Volt continuing to gather silverware in the Special Category, nabbing the second-highest score of all and representative of "nearly perfect innovation," and Chrysler and Dodge being most improved.
Check out the press release below for your day's dose of jargon and all the winners.

Audi A4 preps to go Allroad

Audi recently unveiled the lighter, larger, and sleeker 2017 A4, but the sedan is just the beginning. We know that A4 Avant and Allroad wagon versions are on the way too. Only the Allroad, however, is destined for these shores. These spy shots provide an early idea of what to expect for American buyers who prefer a longer roof and more room to haul in the back. A few key details distinguish this Allroad from the standard Avant, including the elevated ride height. Also, look carefully at the front three-quarters shot, and you can also pick out the more pronounced fender flares. Audi's designers made slight adjustments to the air dam, especially below the headlights, and there are some smaller tweaks to the rear bumper, as well. The Allroad's debut is expected to be staggered from the sedan and Avant versions, and the company obviously isn't talking about power yet. The only powertrains divulged for the 2017 A4 in the US are either a revised 2.0-liter TFSI or a 2.0-liter TDI diesel. Regardless of engine, all-wheel drive would certainly be standard to fit the more rugged version's styling. Related Video:

Audi A9 Concept teased in video, new design chief tells us what to expect in LA

Audi has just dropped another teaser for the A9 Concept it'll be displaying at this month's LA Auto Show. This time around, instead of one static image, we get a tantalizing video of the showcar narrated by new Audi design chief Marc Lichte.
In terms of the A9, we get a better look at the body form than we've yet seen, and we also sneak a peek at its massive, blocky, turbine-style wheels that the conceptual flagship will wear in Los Angeles.
Lichte also takes this video opportunity as a chance to say how-do-you-do to the enthusiast community, commenting not only on his vision for the A9, but also offering up his bona fides in terms of family racing and art heritage. Get to know the man behind the car behind the sheet, here.