Pauly001

I was looking into the new 2017 A4 and they no longer have the Tiptronic ZF Trany.. Looks like they switched to the DSG which my son has in his VW GLI Jetta Aubaun and this tranny is a bit unrefined - jerky at times. My model (B8) has the 8 Speed version Tiptronic - Prior B8s have the 7 Speed. The reviews tell me that the DSG cant handle the torque of the new S4 but is fine with the new A4...

Is the new 2017 A4(B9) outfitted with a downgraded tranny? It appears the new S4 to be released will have the 8 Speed Tiptronic - is this the same tranny as the 2011 quattro?

Thanks

gk1

Let's see if I can help clear anything up.
1-Both your A4 and Q5 are outfitted with the ZF 8HP 8-spd tiptronic
2-The B8 S4 had the DL501 S-tronic dual clutch transmission
3-The B9 S4 changes to the ZF 8HP 8-spd tiptronic allegedly for torque reasons but stock S6 has DL501 and more torque than B9 S4 is reported to have. Audi maybe doesn't want to get to close to the limit?
4-The B9 A4 uses a DL S-tronic unlike your sons VW that uses a DQ and is known to be less refined whereas the newer wet-clutch S-tronics are quite refined.
So to answer your question the newer trans in the A4 is not a downgrade, just different. Likely allows for more advance fuel economy tricks and weight savings over the current ZF 8HP...that is until the ZF 9HP and they switch back. LOL
Hope that helps.

dseag2

My S5 had the S-Tronic DSG and it was wonderful at clicking off the shifts, so it is by no means a downgrade. My '14 A4 also has it and it is fantastic.