Audi's new S tronic gearbox can handle 406 lb-ft of torque

Although this S tronic gearbox is being marketed under the same name as the Borg-Warner-developed, six-speed twin-clutch transmission (previously known as the Direct Shift Gearbox, or DSG) in the U.S.-spec Audi A3 and Audi TT, it's a completely different unit. Parent company Volkswagen AG engineered it in-house and it will be built at VW's factory in Kassell, Germany. Cooling is significantly improved on the new S tronic, thanks to a vacuum booster that effectively doubles the amount of oil available to lubricate the twin clutches, and this helps the transmission cope with higher engine torque loads — up to 406 pound-feet (550 Nm), says Audi. The older S tronic transmission tops at 258 lb-ft (350 Nm). Moreover, because the clutches and oil pump are oiled separately from the gearsets and differentials, this S tronic gearbox can be more easily packaged with the longitudinal engine layouts used in most Audis, including the new Q5 and the A4, A5, A6 and A8 families.

Along with this packaging flexibility, the new dual-clutch transmission is designed to satisfy a wide range of driving situations. In the 2009 Audi Q5s we drove in Valencia, Spain, the S tronic was nearly as smooth as the best of today's conventional automatic transmissions in normal traffic, while offering much sharper response during more aggressive maneuvers. Shift paddles at the nine-and-three positions on the steering wheel allow you to call up your own shifts. Depending on the urgency of your throttle and brake inputs, downshifts requested in manual mode are rev-matched. Equally important, the transmission's large number of gear ratios make it as good a match for the 3.2-liter gasoline V6 we'll see in U.S.-market Q5s as it is for the Europe-only 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 (3.0 TDI).
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Audiphile - 7/23/2008 1:15:36 PM

+2 Boost

It's a crying shame that Audi won't bring this new gearbox to this side of the pond. If they are afraid that mainstream America would find the shifting too harsh, why don't they just make it available on high-performance models. The owners of these S/RS-series cars are performance-oriented, so they wouldn't mind the shifting harshness (if any).

sector - 7/23/2008 2:54:46 PM

+4 Boost

why do you hate Audi so much, aren't you a German fanboy like so many on this site? I thought you all were just anti Asian...

jpighetti - 7/23/2008 5:39:30 PM

+3 Boost

Amazinbimmer...not a loser...hahahaha

Idiot.

I can't wait until they get this high-performance box into the S/RS cars. It definitley adds some punch to the A3 and TT and helps compensate for lower-output engines, so it should be pretty awesome once they stick it behind a V8 or supercharged 6. If you've never driven a dual-clutch transmission, it's truly amazing how fast it shifts.

jpighetti - 7/23/2008 8:03:00 PM

+2 Boost

Not being much of a theologist, can we replace "mom" with "old lady"? That should keep everyone happy.

henbmw - 7/23/2008 5:10:28 PM

+3 Boost

Yes, but can it handle a soccer mom?

jpighetti - 7/23/2008 6:02:34 PM

+9 Boost

Soccer mom, yes. Amazinbimmers mom, no, as it can only take 406 lbs...

That actually deserves a deboost...sorry...

NARunner - 7/23/2008 7:33:09 PM

+4 Boost

I don't think amazinbimmer has a mom. I'm pretty sure satan spit him up from the depths of hell to wreak idiocy and foolishness on car enthusiasts around the world.

jpighetti - 7/23/2008 8:03:56 PM

+1 Boost

This:

"Not being much of a theologist, can we replace "mom" with "old lady"? That should keep everyone happy."

Was supposed to go here.

jpighetti - 7/24/2008 9:36:48 AM

+2 Boost

First, we already went through the "what do you drive" BS, geek, and you got berated that time too. Second, the trash you fire out as "facts" are just unfounded opinions, which is nothing to be proud of.

Substantiate you points, loser. That's why everyone hates you. How is a $37,000 A4 affordable, but a $40,000 328xi is not? Same with a $52,000 A6 vs. a $56,000 530xi. Same with a $82,000 A8l vs a $87,000 7 series. Those are all average prices, give or take, and the difference is trivial.

So help us get these feeble points right here. Someone looking at $50,000 cars (A6, 5 series, lexus GS, E class, etc) might be able to afford the A6 in the low 50's, but is incapable financially of swinging the extra $60 - $90 per month for the 5 series? Do you even realize how stupid that sounds, you mental midget?

Shoot, the E-class is the most expensive of the bunch! What's the matter loser? Couldn't afford the E-class Benz so you settled on the 5? Sucks for you, you clearly broke-as-a-joke loser. Too bad you couldn't afford it.

See how unbelieveably stupid that sounds?

Give us an example of the technology that Audi uses that's "a generation old", or an example of something BMW does that's a generation ahead.

Alas, we won't hear back, because you're a loser.

Heyhuub - 7/24/2008 10:31:38 AM

+1 Boost

You drive a 10 year old M5, so that means you can't even afford a new Audi A3.

Audi has allot more expensive cars then BMW in most sections.

Audi S3 - 37K euros / BMW 130i - 33K euros
Audi A4 3.2 - 41K euros / BMW 330i - 39K euros
Audi RS4 - 67K euros / BMW M3 - 64K euros
Audi S5 - 56K euros / BMW 335i Coupe - 45K euros
Audi RS6 Avant - 106K euros / BMW M5 Touring - 96K euros
Audi TT 3.2 roadster - 44K / BMW Z4 3.0 roadster - 42K

Only the 7-series matches the A8 in price.

Not to mention BMW can't even outsell Audi overhere.

jpighetti - 7/24/2008 11:17:05 AM

+1 Boost

Hahahaha! iDrive and night vision? Are you kidding me? The single most despised feature ever placed in a vehicle is a "generation" ahead? Of what? iDrive is slightly better than a swift kick in the nuts, if anything. MMI was better than the old iDrive, and BMW duplicated the main design characteristics of MMI for the new iDrive. It's still a step behind. Really? Night vision? That's all you've got? If the list was so long why did you stop after only two really questionable examples?

Again, the question you continue to avoid is the same one you fall back on every time. What do you mean when you say that whatever Audi is affordable but the comparable BMW isn't? You find that to be such a strong point, so substantiate it.

Loser.

korgem1 - 7/25/2008 2:59:08 AM

+1 Boost

AmazinBimmer, who's f&*cking care what you drive. 750/530 cars are perfect cars for ghettos like you.
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