Audi Transmissions
 

I have been trying to sort out Audi's rationale with regard to which transmissions they offer in their various cars, and I think I've figured out their logic.

If a model is offered with a Manual, then the option is the shiftable slush-box the Tip-tronic. If the car comes with the S-tronic DSG then there is no Manual offered because the DSG is supposed to satisfy both types of drivers. And we won't talk about the CVT in the Front Track. I think I've got that right.

On the face of it, this may make some sense to Audi, and it saves them from producing too many variations for the small Canadian Market. But as much as I'd like to get a new TT (211hp) or TTS this policy will keep me in my 6 speed TT 225 for a while yet.

Re: Audi Transmissions
 

I guess the emphasis in your logic was on cars, as this doesn't apply to the Q5 and Q7.

Re: Audi Transmissions
 

You're right. In fact looking at it closer it doesn't apply to the A6 or A8 either since they both come only with the Tip. Bewildering

Re: Audi Transmissions
 

I don't know too much about which models offer which autos as I couldn't give a crap about non-manuals, but it always seemed to me that they offer DSG on the more 'sport-oriented' models, i.e., smaller cars and hatches.

Re: Audi Transmissions
 

Canada only gets transmissions that are offered to the US. Our sales volume is much too small for Audi AG to develop cars just for our market. Even the US doesn't get everything they want, many of the decisions are based on profitability for Audi AG. They will not offer cars to us if there is a negative return on investment.

A3 and TT only have S tronic and manual available and since they are low volume cars, we only get the choice of one transmission. That means we would always get the auto.

Models like A4/A5 where there are 3 transmissions available worldwide (manual, S tronic and Tip) and are the large volume cars, mean we can offer a manual. However, the US looks at various factors (like JD Power studies) that find that the majority of customers buying A4's want a smoother shifting auto transmission, which is why we get the Tiptronic. This logic also goes for the A6/A7 models.

BTW, there are a lot of requests internally to "Save the Manual" but apparently its not being heard very loudly by those in AG who are making those decisions.