Audi bringing back the 6spd

[SepangS4me]

There's hope after all! This is great news for those of us that were hoping to retain a 6spd manual transmission in the future s4s.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/audi-brin...221538824.html

[MrFunk]

That is good news...

[A.C.]

It would only make sense to include the A3 platform as well. But obviously I don't make the decisions

[Thurston]

Question. Was the b9 a4 previously billed as non manual and they then capitulated to release the manual or are we just now finding out about the tranny type for the first time? Wondering if there is hope the b9 see's a tweaking of options regarding the transmission (even though I am sure the zf8spd will be lovely)?

It makes a lot of dollars and sense to put one universal transmission in a vehicle from a performance, predictability of problems, and money stand point as they can source it from zf or whomever for far cheaper than they sale it to us for (what is it like a $3k option?) plus the demand has fallen for a manual I am sure but my fingers are crossed.

[Ze_Nardo6]

What about S4?

[MrFunk]

I think in EU the MT was an option on the B9 A4? Just not here...
So bringing the MT in the A4 to US doesn't seem much more complicated than the "paperwork".
The S4 may be a different story though. It would be great if they do. M-cars from BMW are still all available with MT which is impressive - though I am not a big BMW fan I must commend them on that.
I also agree with the A3 comment above. That platform with a MT would be awesome. Especially the S3 and RS3. If an RS3 came over with the 5cyl and MT that would be quite the car.

[RudyH]

According to Audi US roadmap, the 6MT was always coming to Audi USA for the A4...this was posted on these forums back in the spring when the RS3 was leaked to be coming to North America. As in official documents from Audi to the dealer networks.

The downside, is the 6MT will have the Ultra Crapttro, that keeps the car in FWD mode until you need traction, therefore enabling the rear wheels. *yawn*
https://www.audiusa.com/newsroom/new...l-transmission

That said, I haven't seen a single thing, not even on the Audi US roadmap about anything for the S4 unfortunately. I am starting to become a firm believer you just won't be able to get a S4 with a 6 or 7MT.

If you want an Audi sedan /w a 6MT, 2013-2015 Audi S4 or bust!

[Thurston]

That was a rather informative short little article RudyH, thanks. ^ 35lb weight reduction is pretty huge.

[emnahum]

If you want an Audi sedan /w a 6MT, 2013-2015 Audi S4 or bust!

I think a 2016 is probably OK too.

[LINDW4LL]

The 6MT A4 has been confirmed since back in 2015, it just wasn't ready (or available) at first launch.

There's been no such discussion for the S4 unfortunately.

[jygesq]

Any drive train requires EPA. Certification. It is not cheap to do. The s4 is a low volume car, those S4 with MT are even lower volume.My guess is AUDI will / has only certified thev new B9 S4,with 8 sp Tiptronic for that reason and for AUDI's claim all the new protection nannies will not work with MT. Evwn the R8 is no longer available with MT. It is a loosing battle for those drivers who want a MT car. By this time almost all remaining new B8.5 are gone(. MT versions) There may still be some 2017. MT B8.5 S5 around, But ordering a new one for production may WITH MT is probably over as well. See car &!driver 2018 S4,road test.where it is explained about Audi unwillingness to bring New S4 with MT. to market

[Triska]

This is a haldex type of 4 WD, not real Quattro, not torsen. So it's FWD until wheels slip then the clutches in the back allow torque to transfer to the rear.

I predict some gremlins and reliability issues in the first few years until they work this system out. Especially in tuned A4s.

Unless Audi makes a 6 speed with a real torsen awd I will go elsewhere when I retire my B8.5S4.

[CrownSeven]

This is a haldex type of 4 WD, not real Quattro, not torsen. So it's FWD until wheels slip then the clutches in the back allow torque to transfer to the rear.

I predict some gremlins and reliability issues in the first few years until they work this system out. Especially in tuned A4s.

Unless Audi makes a 6 speed with a real torsen awd I will go elsewhere when I retire my B8.5S4.

Check out the b9 a4 forums. Owners are experiencing quite a few bugs. I'd say skip the b9 for the b9.5 instead - if I wanted one which I don't.

[superswiss]

Audi has not announced any plans to fit an MT to the quattro with self-locking center differential drivetrain that will remain in the S and RS models due to its rear-biased and much more sporty character. The new Allroad and now the MT A4 come with the new quattro ultra, which doesn't have a center differential, instead it uses a clutch to engage the rear axle, similar to the Haldex system in the A3, but in addition it can completely decouple the driveshaft if AWD is not needed and go FWD. It's also predictive, supposedly engaging AWD before you need it. The reviews are not bad, but this system is about efficiency and not performance. It's limited to lower torque engines, too. It can't handle the torque of an S4. The only MT variants moving forward the way it looks like are limited to FWD, Haldex (except R8) and quattro ultra.

[Triska]

First they take away the manual, then they give it back but only the A4 and only with Quattro-lite. They are making a mistake and sacrificing the loyalty of their customer base.

We know what we are getting and it's easy to see that audi is trying to sell us less content for more $. Anyway they still make some good cars but they are getting less appealing in a crowded market.

Unfortunately it's getting much harder to find a nice new car with awd and manual.

[LINDW4LL]

This is a haldex type of 4 WD, not real Quattro, not torsen. So it's FWD until wheels slip then the clutches in the back allow torque to transfer to the rear.

The system is rarely reactive, according to Audi. The only time it's reactive would be if you go from a completely dry surface to ice, or something of that nature; and even then, the rear wheels will kick in within milliseconds. But the outstanding majority of the time, it's engagement is proactive before there is ever any loss of traction. It uses a multitude of data points including throttle position, steering angle, RPM, driving mode (dynamic etc.), transmission behavior, etc... Also, putting the car in Sport or turning off traction control will supposedly keep it locked in AWD full time.

From people who have driven these press cars, the system is seamless. 99% of people will never notice that it's different, because the traction will always be there when you need it. Also, I can't find any hard information on this, but from the reviews it sounds like this system can still send the large majority of the power to the rear, unlike Haldex.

[superswiss]

Also, I can't find any hard information on this, but from the reviews it sounds like this system can still send the large majority of the power to the rear, unlike Haldex.

It has the same limitation as the Haldex. Mechanically, it can't send more torque to the rear than it sends to the front. I watched a video with an Audi Engineer from Germany and he stumbled on this question from the reporter. He was trying to explain it w/o upsetting the marketing people. What's going on here is that Audi plays loosey goosey in their marketing material. Once the clutch is fully engaged, there's a 50/50 torque split, but if the front axle has no traction, then the rear can do up to a 100% of the work. Notice the use of work here not torque. Yes, the rear axle can propel the car forward on its own if the front wheels have no traction, but that doesn't mean it gets 100% of the torque. Sending more torque to the rear would only be possible if there was another clutch that could decouple the front axle.

[JD23]

I doubt the longevity of the system if people drive with it permanently locked in full-time AWD, which is not the intended usage. Also, as others have commented, it likely cannot send more than 50% of the torque to the rear axle. It seems that the best way to think of this system is as an improved version of Haldex, not a perfect substitute for true AWD with a mechanical center differential. Audi's intention to force enthusiasts interested in performance-oriented AWD into the S models and market the A model line to those who care more about the four-ring logo or inexpensive lease deals.