MotorAuthority

Audi upgrades S-tronic to handle more power

Posted Wed Mar 19 2008 6:15 AM by Alex Kaufmann

Audi has finally announced the launch of its version of VW Group’s new seven-speed dual clutch transmission, which will be used to replace the current six-speed units over the next 12 months. The new gearbox, dubbed S-tronic in Audi-speak, is designed to work with longitudinally installed engines and quattro all-wheel drive, plus it can handle torque figures of up to 550Nm and engine speeds of 9,000rpm.

One of the primary limitations of the older six-speed gearbox was the inability to handle torque figures higher than 320Nm, however Audi has solved the problem with the latest model. The new design is composed of two transmission structures. It integrates two multidisk clutches that control different gears. The large K1 clutch located on the outside conducts the torque via a solid shaft to the gear wheels for the odd gears 1, 3, 5 and 7. They are located in the rear of the cast-aluminum transmission housing, toward the center of the vehicle.

A hollow shaft rotates around the solid shaft. It is connected to the smaller K2 clutch, which is integrated into the inside of its larger sibling, and which controls the gear wheels for the even gears 2, 4 and 6, as well as reverse gear. All gear wheels are located in a single row on both drive shafts, in the order 4, 6, 2, R, 1, 3, 7 and 5. Both transmission structures are continuously active, but only one is powered at a time by the engine.

Audi is expected to completely replace standard automatic or CVT gearboxes with dual-clutch 'boxes on all but a few models such as their Q7 SUV and A8 limo due to higher torque figures (in the case of the Q7 V12 TDI) or smoother shifting.

story Tags:

• Audi
• Technical

Reader Comments

• Thu Mar 6 2008 8:48 PM

  NaBUru38 says

  I wonder whether these gearboxes will become standard in low-end cars.

• Wed Mar 19 2008 7:08 AM

  Raptor says

  I belive they will replace manuals in low end cars within five years. They offer better fuel economy than manual transmissions and they will become cheaper when massive production begins.

• Wed Mar 19 2008 7:09 AM

  rnsaza says

  Engine is still ahead of the front axle so as long as Audi/VW use longitudinally installed engines they will have the front pushing thru at corners!:(

• Wed Mar 19 2008 7:44 AM

  chris says

  rnsaza; nothing a little oversteer cant correct.
  
  as for these gear boxes replacing manuals, i dont see it. Manuals will always be cheaper to produce and design, which means the cheaper consumer will always be looking for a manual. plus theres the people who simply want to drive a fully manual car, like me. automatics are nice, and DSG's with their paddle shifting are fun, but a manual gear box is a driving EXPERIENCE and i may kill myself if i cant experience that any more.
  
  the day all cars go electric, is the day that I shoot myself. Some one better make an electric car with a manual gear box.

• Wed Mar 19 2008 8:04 AM

  Alan says

  I don't see this replacing manual, however i do see this replacing cheap automatic in cheaper cars.