Audi has announced it will cease further development of its continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) after producing a more effective seven-speed dual-clutch alternative. Audi’s ‘multironic’ CVT transmission is currently in front-wheel drive versions of the A4, A5, A6 and A7.
The discontinuation of the CVT was confirmed by senior Audi driving behaviour engineer Ralph Riegger. Despite being smooth and efficient, the CVT trans was notoriously unreliable, making in unpopular among consumers.
“It isn’t being developed anymore. It served its purpose because it was very good for fuel economy, but now we have this new stepped transmission that is better.”
Audi’s new seven-speed dual clutch will be an improved version of VAG’s seven-speed dual-clutch DSG gearbox, which is called ‘S tronic’ in Audi models. Motoring believes it will be introduced on the next-generation B9 series Audi A4, which may arrive late next year as a 2015 model.
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