<ul><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuously_variable_transmission">Wikipedia says...</a></li></ul>

If you're getting rid of your car to get one w/better performance, a CVT is not the way to go. Plus, they don't offer S4s in CVTs. I hope you're not looking at another 1.8T since you hate yours already.

Although there are different ECUs for auto/manual engines out there...I imagine that the ECU and TCM communicate, where applicable.