Autoblog

Audi's S Tronic dual-clutch gearbox headed for Bentley GT?

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Audi, Bentley, Rumormill, Luxury

Paris 2010: 2011 Bentley Continental GT - Click above for high-res image gallery

Bentley has provided its Continental GT with a total refresh for the 2011 model year. The styling has been updated and the luxury coupe is expected to gain a second engine option. The traditional 6.0-liter W12 unit will still be available albeit with more power, but Bentley has also let slip that it will offer a new V8 engine. This eight-cylinder unit will apparently be a twin-turbocharged Audi engine which is potentially capable of 550 horsepower. Now, word from Autocar suggests that Bentley would like to pair that engine with Audi's S tronic dual-clutch transmission.

The S tronic unit is currently employed throughout most of the Four-Ringed family lineup. Adding it to the Bentley will present an interesting challenge, however, due to the fact that the underbody of the Continental GT has a nice ZF six-speed automatic transmission-shaped hole. The ZF automatic is the gearbox used for the W12. Bentley's engineers are now doing feasibility studies to see if they can get the dual-clutch gearbox to fit.

Gallery: Paris 2010: 2011 Bentley Continental GT

Live photos by Zach Bowman/Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Autocar]

Audi's S Tronic dual-clutch gearbox headed for Bentley GT? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2010: Audi A1 to hatch jealousy in the eyes of Americans

Chris Paukert — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:10:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Audi, Diesel

2011 Audi A1 - Click above for high-res image gallery

We've just returned from Audi's press conference here at the Geneva Motor Show, where Justin Timberlake has laid claim to one of the first A1 hatchbacks that comes off the line. Funny thing is, even with his undoubtedly massive bank accounts, the pop star won't be able to get one - at least not to park in front of any of his U.S. cribs. That's because Audi has announced that the entertaining-looking three-door isn't headed to the States. Given how the A3 has festered in darkened showroom corners in the American market, we can't exactly blame them for not importing an even smaller hatchback, but somehow we think this Mini Cooper-fighter might just find a market where the frumpier, more conventional A3 has stalled.

Available in Europe with four turbocharged, direct-injected engines (two TDI diesels, two gasoline), the A1 will be available with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch S tronic gearbox with optional paddle shifters. Thanks to standard start-stop and energy recuperation among other fuel-saving tricks, the A1 is estimated to reach between 44 miles-per-U.S.-gallon and 62 mpg on the European Cycle.

Audi is also showing an electrified concept version of the A1 as the latest in its e-tron family. Packing a t-shaped lithium-ion battery and a single-rotor Wankel rotary IC engine(!) along with a few external cues to hint at its extended-range hybrid technology, it also drew more than a few eyeballs.

Interestingly, Audi's press materials (available after the jump) make no mention of the availability of Quattro all-wheel drive. Whether the option will come later remains to be seen, but for now, the A1 picks up where the not-for-U.S. A2 left off.

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Audi A1

Gallery: 2011 Audi A1

Photos by Chris Paukert and Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Geneva 2010: Audi A1 to hatch jealousy in the eyes of Americans

Geneva 2010: Audi A1 to hatch jealousy in the eyes of Americans originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi S3 and S3 Sportback get S tronic dual-clutch trannies

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Budget, Technology, Hatchback, Audi

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Audi S3 Sportback

Audi's five-door S3 and its Sportback sibling will now be able to benefit from the S tronic dual-clutch transmission. Mated to the 2.0-liter TSFI, you'll seamlessly shift from first all the way to sixth, with 265 hp on tap and 258 lb-ft. available from just 2,500 rpm. You'll also get even better gas mileage, with both cars registering 28 mpg, not to mention hitting sixty two-tenths of a second faster than would with a manual: 5.5 or 5.6 seconds depending on whether you're piloting the three- or five-door. The DCT is available now, and for better gas mileage, quicker shifts, and a quicker car... why wouldn't you?

Gallery: 2009 Audi S3 Sportback

Continue reading Audi S3 and S3 Sportback get S tronic dual-clutch trannies

Audi S3 and S3 Sportback get S tronic dual-clutch trannies originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

Alex Nunez — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:19:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Audi

The Audi S tronic / Volkswagen DSG gearbox ~~supplied by Borg Warner~~ is a very nice compromise for someone who enjoys shifting manually but also needs, for whatever reason, an automatic transmission. Snapping off lightning-quick shifts in something like an Audi TT will put a smile on your face in a hurry, but the downside is that this experience has been limited to cars with torque ratings below 258 lb-ft. Not any more, though. Audi's new 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch system is VW-developed and is ready to accommodate more powerful vehicle offerings. Specifically, it can handle torque up to 406 lb-ft. That's a lot of twist, and things are about to get interesting for drivers across the pond.

The Europeans will first get the new gearbox in the Q5 SUV and the S5 coupe, where it'll supplant the 6-speed auto that's available as an option in the 2-door. Given the choice between Tiptronic S and this new S tronic, we'd happily choose the latter every time. Unfortunately, we won't be seeing it for the foreseeable future. While Audi plans to drop it into a number of Euro-spec models, including S and RS-series cars, the Tiptronic S will continue to be the offering for Americans who want a manumatic in vehicles such as the forthcoming Q5. Audi apparently thinks we'll find the shift action of the S tronic to be too harsh. If that's the automaker's worry, how about this: take the R tronic that's currently available in the R8, cast it into the ocean, and replace it with the the new, improved S tronic. Based on our experience, it might be exactly what the doctor ordered.

[Source: Inside Line | Photo: Alex Núñez]

Audi's new S tronic gearbox can handle 406 lb.-ft. of torque originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi prices 2008 TT

John Neff — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Convertible, Coupe, Audi

Audi took the time today to inform us Yanks what we'd be paying this year for the privelege to own a new TT. The 2008 Audi TT will start at $34,800 for a base 2.0T Coupe. The TT 3.2 Quattro model begins higher at $41,500. If you like your TT sans its top, a TT Roadster 2.0T will begin at $36,800, while the 3.2 quattro Roadster begins at $44,500. Destination charges are $720 for each model, and if you'd prefer the S tronic gearbox, also known as the DSG transmission in Volkswagen models, over the standard six-speed, add another $1,400 to your total. The highest base price for a TT then will be a 3.2 quattro Roadster with an S tronic transmission that costs $45,900. There will be lots of optional equipment ot push that price higher, however, like a DVD-based navigation system, the "magnetic ride" suspension, 18-inch weels, etc. The base prices seem fair to us considering that Audi appears to have successfully updated the original TT's beloved design while at the same time infusing the car with a bit more sporting prowess. All that optional equipment, however, will easily push the TT's price over $50,000.

Check out Audi's official press release after the jump.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi prices 2008 TT

Audi prices 2008 TT originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Jan 2007 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi TT to skip a year

Erin Mays — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 07:54:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Audi

Audi said Wednesday that it would be giving its TT the year off in the U.S. in preparation for the new coupe to make its debut here next year as a 2008 model. Technology will be key, the automaker says - the frame incorporates aluminum to lighten it up and improve handling, and it will even have what Audi calls a "magnetorheological" supsension (say that five times fast) that is a version of Delphi's electromagnetically semi-active suspension called MagneRide, which is also used on the Chevy Corvette, Cadillac XLR and Ferrari 599 GTB.

The automaker plans a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine and 3.2L V6 with manual and S tronic (read: DSG) transmissions.

[Source: InsideLine]

Audi TT to skip a year originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Jun 2006 07:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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