Audi Q5, A5, A4 to get new 8-speed gearbox

Aside from the updated Q7 and the next generation A8, Audi is set to deliver other member of its fleet that will make use of the new 8-speed gearbox.

According to the 2011 MY dealer guides, the eight-speed gearbox will be widely used through the lineup of Audi next year with the car manufacturer aiming for 70% of units rolling out to come fitted with the newly developed gearbox.

For the upcoming Audi 2011 lineup, the A4 sedan and Avant 2.0L TFSI quattro, also the coupe and cabriolet versions of the A5 2.0 TFSI quattro will also carry the 8-speed gearbox (the 6-speed manual transmission will only be available for the coupe). The reworked Q7 fitted with the supercharged high output and low output V6 3.0L engine will take the place of the V6 3.6L and the V8 4.2L for the upcoming model year. Both of the engines and the 3.0L TD will also come with the 8-speed automatic gearbox.

The Q5 fitted with the 2.0 TFSI which was unwrapped by Audi during the New York Auto Show also comes with a package using the 8-speed gearbox.

Audi will begin rolling out the vehicles with the eight-speed gearbox by fall this year. These vehicles are expected to be more fuel efficient, faster downshifts, and because of its compact packaging, the new cars did not gain any weight over the standard 6-speed tiptronic.