Audi is set to entice motoring enthusiasts in United States by offering the 2017 Audi A4 with an optional 6-speed manual transmission. Yep, that’s right folks, for 2017 model year, you can drive your A4 with a stick shift! Don’t hold your breath waiting for any to arrive in Malaysia though…
According to the automaker, the newly-redesigned, 6-speed manual transmission provides a better performance compared to its predecessors due primarily to its spur-gear stage which replaces the shaft to the front-axle differential used on the previous models. This allows the 2017 A4 with 6-speed manual to perform a 0-100 km/h sprint in 5.7 seconds, an improvement of 0.7 seconds over the previous generation.
Extensive use of magnesium, combined with open gearwheels, hollow shafts and a smaller clutch, reduce the weight of the transmission by 16kg compared to its predecessor, and further serve to enhance performance by giving the A4 an improved power-to-weight ratio.
The 2017 A4 with a 6-speed manual transmission will be exclusively offered in the quattro all-wheel drive system with the A4’s 2.0 TFSI engine that generates 252hp and 370Nm of torque.
Audi says the new quattro all-wheel drive system comes with with ultra technology that is optimized for fully-variable torque distribution and efficiency. The new drivetrain utilizes an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch at the rear end of the transmission along with an integrated decoupler in the rear axle differential and weighs 4kg less than the previous quattro system. This quattro system with ultra technology allows for intelligent, proactive control of the all-wheel drive system to predictively modify the torque application as the driving situation or road conditions require.
The 2017 A4 quattro manual will also come with a Sport plus package featuring flow formed cast aluminum 18-inch 5-double-spoke-star design wheels, available Daytona Gray exterior paint, S line leather/Alcantara interior with sport seats, stainless steel pedal caps, flat-bottom steering wheel and brushed aluminum decorative inlays. Also included is Audi dynamic steering and sport adaptive suspension (-23mm ride height), both of which were previously available only for S4 models.
Another good news is that the manual version is a no-cost option, and so prices for each trim are the same across the line. The 2017 A4 manual price ranges from $39,400 to $48,000 in U.S.
For customers who do not prefer the traditional manual-shifting driving experience, fret not because there’s a 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission with front-wheel drive or available quattro all-wheel drive offered as well.
Source: Audi USA
