Audi is making an unusual move by introducing manuals first to the US, especially on a non-S car (the A5). It's a total, and welcome, reverse from previous policy.

But I'm betting the delay to introduce an auto is mostly due to Audi still finalizing some technical issues (reliability, safety standards, etc) for its first DSG transmission on a longitudinal engine.

I love my manual A4, but I actually want a DSG for my next car after testing an S-Tronic equipped A3.

Most cars sold in America are autos so Audi would only intro the auto later if there were reasons for it (like it being a brand new 7 speed DSG unit)

what torque vectoring? is that still on the radar?

since they need to have something to differentiate it from the competition since clearly, the base A5 will not be using performance as a differentiator.

I'd love to see a DSG A5.

..making me think it's DSG too. If it was a regular auto they'd say so.