Audi’s twin clutch transmission, called S tronic, will be available in the Audi A4 and Audi A5 ranges later this year, as well as the new Audi Q5 SUV.
S tronic twin clutch transmission provides lightning fast and virtually seamless gear changes.
Two multi-plate clutches are used. One controls the odd gears: 1, 3, 5 and 7. The other controls the even: 2, 4, 6 and reverse.
Both transmission elements are continuously active, but only one is powered by the engine at any one time. When the driver accelerates in third gear, for example, fourth is already pre-engaged by the second transmission element.
The switching process takes place in mere hundredths of a second as the clutch shifts – while one is opening, the other closes, so changes are swift and the power flow is never interrupted.
The twin clutch system was originally developed to work with engines mounted transversely, such as in the Audi TT and Audi A3. However, it has now been developed by Audi for engines mounted ‘lengthways’, or north-south.
The twin clutch gearbox was first introduced by Volkswagen as the DSG gearbox. Like S tronic, it can be used in either automatic or manual modes with no disadvantage in terms of fuel economy or performance.
Seven-speed S tronic auto for Audi’s A4 range
