| First Drive | Baden Baden, Germany | Audi S tronic seven-speed |

Audi has added another gearbox to its already wide choice of transmissions. This one is very significant though as it'll feature on future S and RS models.

In the Metal

Forget that we're driving an Audi S5, as the car is incidental here; it's the transmission that we're interested in. Audi has added another two-pedal transmission to its already comprehensive gearbox line up, the new 7-speed S tronic twin-clutch system designed to work with Audi's longitudinally mounted engines and quattro four-wheel drive. It joins the numerous other transmission options offered in the Audi range, including a Multitronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), the S tronic for transverse mounted engines as seen on the TT and A3, the R8's R tronic and the more conventional torque converter Tiptronic automatics. That's a lot of 'tronics', Audi offering one of the widest transmission choices of any manufacturer.

What you get for your Money

Significantly, the new seven-speed S tronic is the transmission that'll be used in Audi's forthcoming S4 and RS4 models, as it's designed to cope with torque outputs of up to 405lb.ft and engine speeds of up to 9,000rpm. Audi's engineers confirmed to us that this new transmission will be fitted to the new S4, letting slip that the rapid S4 will feature a forced induction 3.0-litre V6 - a sign of Audi's engine downsizing in the pursuit of economy. The twin-clutch set up offers the best of both worlds too. It is a quick-changing paddle-shift with the sort of instantaneous response that's normally dulled by torque converters in conventional automatics. The S tronic is also beneficial to economy, the additional ratio allowing Audi to add a longer gear for more efficient cruising.

Driving it

Mated to the 4.2-litre V8 of the S5, the new transmission shifts quickly and very smoothly, whether you take control via the wheel-mounted paddles or leave it to its own devices. The next gear is pre-selected before you've even asked for it, making for a seamless shift, much like Audi's other S tronic twin-clutch system we've already sampled on the TT. Blipping enthusiastically on downshifts, the new 7-speed S tronic will appeal to those drivers who want to enjoy the performance of Audi's higher output engines, but want the convenience of being able to run in full auto in traffic.

The most noticeable aspect of the S tronic's installation in the S5 is the additional responsiveness of the transmission. There's no slack in the drivetrain, so push the accelerator and there's instantaneous motion. This immediately makes the car feel more precise and involving, and bodes very well indeed for future installations in cars like the S4 and the next RS4 - the latter expected to follow in 2009.

Worth Noting

The new gearbox will fit into everything from the A4 to the A8, though if the idea of an R8 with this smooth, quick system sounds appealing, forget it, as it simply won't fit due to the supercar's packaging.

Summary

Audi has one of the most comprehensive ranges of transmissions on offer anywhere. The addition of this new 7-speed S tronic allows Audi to offer all the advantages of a conventional automatic on its larger and higher performance cars, but with some real driver appeal. Automatics are rapidly becoming the preferred choice among car buyers and transmissions like the S tronic bridge the gap between conventional manuals and automatics while also benefitting economy too.