Differences in Audi gearboxes

[mrmojo77]

I guess I should know better since I have liked Audis for years now, but I realized that I don't know all about them.
Is it possible to get an A4 with a DSG? I understood that S-tronic (DSG) is only available for A3, TT, etc. VAG cars where the engine is mounted transversally and Multitronic is the option for A4 and A6. Is the Multitronic as good as S-tronic?

[gangajas]

I guess I should know better since I have liked Audis for years now, but I realized that I don't know all about them.
Is it possible to get an A4 with a DSG? I understood that S-tronic (DSG) is only available for A3, TT, etc. VAG cars where the engine is mounted transversally and Multitronic is the option for A4 and A6. Is the Multitronic as good as S-tronic?

Multitronic is a CVT gearbox and the way it works it's weird:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvm4QXEEY1o

Edit: It doesn't seem to be very reliable:

http://forums.automotive.com/70/6213600/audi/2002-audi-a4-cvt-gearbox-problems/index.html

[mrmojo77]

Multitronic is a CVT gearbox and the way it works it's weird:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvm4QXEEY1o


Edit: It doesn't seem to be very reliable:

http://forums.automotive.com/70/6213600/audi/2002-audi-a4-cvt-gearbox-problems/index.html

That video explains a lot. Thank you! I've heard a comment that accelerating with a multitronic is like accelerating with a snow mobile with a variator. That discussion about the problems with the multitronic is intimidating. I think I'm already convinced that I will not be looking into multitronic.
Is there another automatic box then for A4 or A6?

[JoeHahn]

I guess I should know better since I have liked Audis for years now, but I realized that I don't know all about them.
Is it possible to get an A4 with a DSG? I understood that S-tronic (DSG) is only available for A3, TT, etc. VAG cars where the engine is mounted transversally and Multitronic is the option for A4 and A6. Is the Multitronic as good as S-tronic?

I'm pretty sure the DSG gearboxes from VAG only work (or are only used) with crosswise engines, so anything above the A3 is out because they have length-wise mounted engines. I dont know whether Audi is too lazy to develop it or waiting for the right time to introduce it, but its bloody annoying not having options like these on their sportier cars like the RS4.

[redbaron]

The DSG gear boxes are developed by Borg Warner and only availabe for the VW group. There is only one type of DSG widely available at the moment and that is the dq250, I believe that stands for Doppelkupplung quer, German for double clutch transverse. The name says it all, only suitabele for transversally mounted engines. I heard that VW is developing their own DSG gearbox, but they have experienced a lot of problems during the development. If I remember eveything well, this gearbox would initially have been introduced in 2003 and I believe it is introduced at the market at February this year. I think similar problems have occured at the development of lengthwise mounted DSG gearboxes. I am sure the lengthwise types of DSG boxes will follow soon.

[MartinR]

I don't get why they don't just replace all automatics with DSG's across the line?

[666fast]

I don't get why they don't just replace all automatics with DSG's across the line?

The cost. It's still considerably more expensive. Once it's more cost effective, I wouldn't be surprised if DSG's become standard equipment.

[Sir_GT]

Does this mean that the S-tronic Audi TT also has a transversally mounted engine? And AFAIK, doesn't the A6 offer an S-tronic option as well?

[Schwalbe]

Like gangajas has said the Multitronic is a CVT gearbox. I'm sure you don't want this tranny because I think it's only offer on FWD layout. 

The DSG gearbox on the other and was originally develloped to work with "transversely" mounted units, and so initially restricted to the TT and A3, the lastest generation of S-tronic (aka DSG 2nd gen) can now extend it's reach upwards to the new B8 A4, the current A5 and the upcoming Q5 and many other Audi models whose engines are mounted "lengthways". 

[Slusbe]

for the time being isn't the DSG only available in FWD cars? I remember it used to be, but I don't know if they've come out w/ an AWD version yet.

Er, looks like Schwalbe answered my question before I asked it. Oopses. I guess the question now is if its actually available on those cars (like MrMojo77 asked).

I'm curious if it'll be available on the R8 at some point. That'd be quite a combination

[MartinR]

for the time being isn't the DSG only available in FWD cars? I remember it used to be, but I don't know if they've come out w/ an AWD version yet.

Uhm? Audi TT Quattro, Audi R8...

[Skaala]

here comes the the longitudinal 7spd DSG
http://www.autoblog.nl/archive/2008/03/19/audi-7-traps-dsg


http://www.autosieger.de/article14606.html

Only for AWD(quattro) cars.

Current list of users(till end of 2008):

Q5
A5 3.2 Quattro
A5 3.0TDI Quattro
S5
A4 3.2 Quattro
A4 3.0TDI Quattro
S4

Manual remains standard gearbox, new S Tronic replaces Tiptronic in models mentioned above...


in English
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/technical/audi-upgrades-s-tronic-to-handle-more-power/

http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/219657/audi_s5.html

[Slusbe]

^^ - I wonder if thats basically a miniaturized Veyron gearbox? 7 speeds and AWD and all...

Uhm? Audi TT Quattro, Audi R8...

I think I was thinking of the CVT, mixed up