A senior Audi engineer has confirmed that the German automaker will soon ditch the controversial continuously variable automatic transmission, which is marketed as Multitronic on Audi vehicles.
Audi has ceased development of the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), with a new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission scheduled to replace it.
“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,” senior Audi driving behavior engineer Ralph Riegger told Australia’s Motoring website.
Audi’s continuously variable transmission is currently found in the A4, A5, A6 and A7 models. The CVT sees engine revs rise while the transmission ratios constantly adjust to catch up, with many car enthusiasts considering it an unpleasant experience.
Additionally, the CVT has earned Audi a class-action lawsuit over alleged defects of continuously variable transmissions in the United States. The lawsuit involved 64,000 vehicles and was settled in 2013, with Audi agreeing to reimburse owners of faulty CVT-equipped vehicles.
The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that will replace the CVT is believed to be an evolution of the 7-speed DSG already on offer in a wide range of Volkswagen Group vehicles. The new transmission is expected to launch on the all-new Audi A4, due in the second half of 2015.
By Dan Mihalascu
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