Read in Ward's Auto world this morning a couple of interesting articles on Audi:

Good:

The New A5 will offer Torque Vectoring Quattro where the system will be able to shift power not only from rear to front wheels but also independantly to the left and right rear wheels through a differential - a first for Audi - should make for awesome handling...

Not So Good:

AoA reports that they are considering dropping manual transmissions from all but S and RS cars from the 2009 model year onwards - not so good for the new TT for those looking for a 2.0T manual - seems they feel DSG will satisfy the majority of their US market and there isn't a good enough return on selling stick shifts here.

Will S and RS models from the A6 up finally become available with a manual transmission for MY2009? If so (not speaking factually here), I would bet on a Getrag or Ricardo built ML800, ML900 or ML1,000 six-speed stick.

I e-mailed AoA about this very issue, expressing my extreme disappointment and letting them know if they proceeded with this plan, they would lose the very enthusiasts who have been the core supporters of the brand here in the U.S.

Well, I received two very detailed and personalized e-mail responses saying that they were misquoted in the Ward's article and the comments were taken out of context. They said they would continue to offer manual transmissions in non -S and -RS models such as the TT, A3, A4, and A5.

wards ftl.

What about manual tarnsmissions on the STT, RS TT, S3, RS 3, S4, RS 4, S5 and RS 5?

The story mentions that Torque Vectoring quattro and the introduction of active steering creates an Audi dynamically different than any Audi before.

BMW 3 series has it as a very expensive option, and I can't imagine anyone wanting to pay $1,000 so they don't have to turn the wheel as much when parking. Another stupid option that is driving up the price of cars that is not necessary or beneficial.

I'm not really sure if it's similar to the BMW 5-series active steering system. VW has a form of active steering using the electro-mechanical steering system found on the Golf et al. platform to compensate for crosswinds.

I'm beginning to think that the A5 is a real adventure in technology. I have noticed several things in the earlier released semi-schematic images that leads me to believe that we are really seeing a new way to design and manufacture an automobile. For example, there are large box structures above the rear wheelwells unlike anything that I have seen on a VAG product. The car may consist of a high level of alloy content, at this point, I am not sure and will wait for the release in a couple of weeks.

-J

It is not the same as torque vectoring. You need to read up some AWD stuff.

The statement made in Ward's Auto World is that Torque Vectoring quattro and active steering, a separate system [statement added], combine to provide the A5 with a level of handling never observed with an Audi before.

I am very much aware that AWD is not the same as active steering. Servotronic is variable power assist and is speed sensitive. Active steering is an additional control input into the steering rack, independent of driver input, from a control device. For example, the car, via active steering, could automatically correct for cross winds. This is found on the latest version of the VW Touran.

BMW's active steering controls or varies the steering ratio according to vehicle speed. For example, the steering ratio is much quicker at low speeds to enhance maneuverability while the steering ratio becomes less quick at higher speeds to enhance stability. Therefore, at low speeds, moving the steering wheel two full "rotations" covers the complete change in steering angle from left to right while at higher vehicle speeds the steering wheel must cover more "rotations" to cause the same change in steering angle.

I could envision how an active steering system would work on the A5 with torque vectoring; however, given time constraints will hold off at the present.

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I sometimes miss my 1998 A4 QTip, but not that often. A six speed manual just makes the car!

Although stick shifting maybe fun and the purists will swear by it, I think that it is becoming obsolete, by that I mean inefficient compared to DSG, and that all those staying true to it will become 'old school'. Not that there's anything wrong with that, to each his own, but technology is progressing and I would take better technology in a heart beat, specially if it makes the car faster, safer, efficient, etc.

if DSG adds to the driving experience then I'd consider it, but for now I personally enjoy the skill required to row my own gears. If I was a track junkie maybe it'd be the other way around.

I don't know how reliable the DSG is, but it is a safe bet that it will fail before a manual, and it will cost CRAZY money to fix.