Audi shifts to eight-speeds for most models

A formal press conference probably won't happen until this summer, but we hear that Audi dealers have received their 2011 order guides, and it looks as though the company will be going from 0 to about 70 percent of U.S. sales being eight-speed automatic transmissions.

Beginning this fall, the eight-speed will replace today's six-speed automatic in the A4 2.0-liter turbo sedan and wagon, the A5 2.0-liter turbo coupe and cabriolet, the Q5 2.0-liter turbo, the Q7 3.0-liter turbo, the Q7 diesel, the Q7 with the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 and the all-new A8 and A8L with the 4.2-liter V8.

The A3 2.0-liter turbo will come with either the dual-clutch or six-speed manual. The TT 2.0-liter turbo will only come with the dual-clutch. Front-drive A4s with the 2.0-liter turbo have CVTs. Front-drive A5 cabriolets with the 2.0-liter turbo will have CVTs.

The S4 sedan with the supercharged 3.0-liter six comes with either a dual-clutch or six-speed manual. The S5 coupe with the 4.2-liter V8 will come with either Tiptronic or six-speed manual. The S5 cabriolet with the supercharged 3.0-liter six will come with the dual-clutch trans. A6s will come with either CVT or Tiptronic. The S6 will have Tiptronic, as will the Q5 with the 3.2-liter six. V8 and V10 R8s will have either the sequential R-tronic or the six-speed manual.

Audi is also the only car company selling cars here with 100 percent direct-injection gasoline engines, as of the 2010 model year.

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