Acclaimed Audi S Tronic destined for A4 and Q5

March 20, 2008 - Courtesy of Audi AG

New seven-speed version of acclaimed twin-clutch transmission is set to move further up the Audi range.

• Latest seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission is compatible with longitudinally installed engines for the first time
• Where existing six-speed S tronic was limited to the transversely mounted units in TT and A3, the latest transmission with 550Nm torque threshold can technically be fitted to new A4, A5, Q5 and more models in the future
• First Audi models equipped with latest S tronic transmission destined for Europe in late 2008

Lightning fast, virtually seamless Audi S tronic gear changes will soon be within the grasp of drivers of the all-new A4 Saloon, the Q5 SUV and many more Audi models as a new version of the much loved dual-clutch transmission brings compatibility with longitudinal or ‘north-south’ engine installations.

Originally developed to work with transversely mounted units, and so initially restricted to the TT and the A3, the latest generation of S tronic can now extend its reach upwards to the A4, A5, Q5 and many other Audi models whose engines are mounted ‘lengthways’.

In its latest form the famously quick and slick gearbox, developed exclusively by Audi, offers the existing transmission’s familiar Drive, Sport and ‘Manual’ modes, the latter upgrading from six to seven fixed ratios, and boasts a higher torque threshold of 550Nm. This impressive capacity means that it is theoretically compatible with a wide spectrum of sports models, including the majority of the V8 and V10-powered performance flagships and the high performance TDI models.