Latest Rumors from Car and Driver - Dual Clutch Possibly on the Way

[mstams]

The news I've been waiting to hear. Just hope it's true...

http://blog.caranddriver.com/audi-r8...lace-r-tronic/

Audi R8 Lineup to Grow With V8 Spyder, Sportier Model; Dual-Clutch to Replace R Tronic

With the electric-vehicle stampede seemingly out of control, we are glad to report that Audi, for one, is not forgetting about our enthusiast needs. Our favorite Audi product family, the R8 lineup, has just been expanded with the awesome V-10 Spyder. But it doesn’t stop there, an insider tells us: Late in 2010, Audi will show a less expensive version of the Spyder, powered by the familiar 420-hp, 4.2-liter V-8, which should retail for about $135,000. It will be at dealers in early 2011.

On the other end of the spectrum, there will very likely be a sportier version, inspired by the race-ready R8 LMS, with carbon-fiber parts and probably more power. Look no further than the Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera for a glimpse of this V-10 engine’s potential.


The nervous six-speed sequential R tronic gearbox will likely be replaced by a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission—and our favorite, the open-gate six-speed manual, will remain the standard box.

The lack of a strong-enough transmission, along with the weight penalty of the engine, is the reason why the awesome R8 V-12 TDI won’t migrate beyond prototype status. But the R8-based, fully electric e-tron will be produced and sold for around $200,000. Everyone has to have an electric supercar, it seems.

[AnOutsider]

Saw that as well. Would be great. That or an RS model in the states (with S-Tronic as well)

[R84ME]

Right! Think an OEM supercharged V8 with S-tronic. I think they're getting the picture.

Yipeee!!!!

[Jeff]

That would probably be enough to get me to upgrade.

So much for retiring early ... :-)

[AnOutsider]

Right! Think an OEM supercharged V8 with S-tronic. I think they're getting the picture.

Yipeee!!!!

Though, I wonder about that. The AutoBlog article I read said something about S-Tronic on the V8 and not the V10, and though they didn't specifically mention because of the power, they did dance around it.

So, if it IS because of the power, not sure a SC or TT would make sense then.

They did "confirm" the V12 TDI won't becoming because of power and weight issues.

[rmclachlan]

Having driven both R-Tronic in the R8 and S-Tronic in the Q5 I cannot see any great benefit other than the Auto mode in S-tronic. S-Tronic drives much like a conventional Auto transmission - to be honest IMHO dull and unexciting.

[randombloke]

The nervous six-speed sequential R tronic gearbox will likely be replaced by a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission

sounds like wishful thinking on their part - I think most people *assume* it would be easy to drop in a dual clutch transmission and that audi will do it as a matter of course.

[mstams]

Having driven both R-Tronic in the R8 and S-Tronic in the Q5 I cannot see any great benefit other than the Auto mode in S-tronic. S-Tronic drives much like a conventional Auto transmission - to be honest IMHO dull and unexciting.

I doubt the Q5 is a good comparison. Have you ever driven PDK in the Porsche 911? That's probably more like it. One advantage is less costly maintenance as well.

[Bodhii]

replaced by a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission

My guess is that this would be a completely new dual clutch transmission, much more like the Porsche PDK. Porsche, Audi and VW all share now. We will see!

I love the idea that Audi will continue to develop the R8 platform in more dynamic ways. BRAVO!

[R84ME]

I cannot see any great benefit other than the Auto mode in S-tronic.

Try getting stuck in SoCal rush-hour traffic at, say, 5:30pm on the 405 between LAX and Century Blvd - or the 101/405 interchange! That will change your opinion real fast.