Technical data

The S tronic dual-clutch transmission enables
quick gear changes with hardly any perceptible
break in propulsive power and is therefore
particularly efficient.
As long ago as 1985, Walter Röhrl tested this
technology in the Sport quattro S1 – and was
suitably impressed. Audi drivers share his
enthusiasm to this day, because the modern
S tronic changes gear in a flash. To do this, two
single plate clutches serve the different gears. One
clutchtransfers the torque via a solid drive shaft
to the gearwheels of the odd-numbered gears.
A second clutch serves the even-numbered gears
via a hollow shaft. Both parts of the transmission
are permanently active, but there is only ever one
actively connected to the engine via the closed
clutch. For example, if the vehicle is accelerating
in third gear, then the second part of the
transmission is already engaged in fourth gear.
The gear change happens very quickly through
the change of clutches – the first clutch opens,
whilst the second one closes. This takes only a
few hundredths of a second and is completed
with virtually no break in propulsive power. It
runs so smoothly and comfortably that the driver
barely notices it.
It doesn’t matter whether the driver chooses the
fully automatic mode with the program D (Drive)
or S (Sport) or changes gear manually with the
selector lever or the optional shift paddles on the
steering wheel – the gear change feels precise
and extremely sporty. Even with all of this dynamic
technology, the S tronic still remains efficient.
Its high level of efficiency helps to reduce both
fuel consumption and emissions.
The fuel consumption and CO₂ emission figures as well as the efficiency classes can be found from page 122 onwards.
What is the benefit of two clutches?
A double saving: time and energy.
A3S3_A3S3SB_Technik18_2013_09.indd 63 21.10.13 07:34