option. No new updates on the Avant. The rep told me that they have heard a lot from unhappy customers about the no 6-speed in the Avant. They said they may consider it if more people voice their dissatisfaction but as of now, no 6-speed plans for the avant.

At least the 2.0TQ will have a third pedal, FTW!

I'd call it "informed rabid speculation." I could live with a Tip if it were mated to the TDI, that's the real shame here. You could give me three-on-the-tree and 370 ft-lbs of torque and I'd be grinning.

I mean the official (PRELIMINARY)'09 AoA Order Guide that doesn't even list an A3. ANY A3.

I mean the order guide that shows all A4s (except Cabs) as having Quattro and S-tronic ONLY on page 2 but Quattro and Tiptronic ONLY on page 3.

I mean the Order Guide that only lists ONE version of a Frontrak A4, that being the A4 2.0T Cab.

I could go on and on.

There were SO MANY obvious discrepancies in that PRELIMINARY '09 AoA Order Guide that anyone with a hint of common sense would have said to themselves "Ok... Obviously, things aren't set in stone yet. I'll wait a bit to see how thing pan out before I panic."

Many folks here did not.

So, just how "informed" was that rabid specualtion?

It was informed rabid speculation and like the fine print says stuff is subject to change at any time without notice. I'd characterize the tranny speculation as more well informed than the, "zOMG no turbo engine" speculation that happened earlier for instance since the more recent frothing was at least based on something with AOA letterhead on it.

Speculation that also matched with what's had been reported in the usual auto rags up to this point as well, so there's speculation congruency that extends beyond Audiworld.

This really stinks. Realistically, how big a deal is it to offer a 6MT for the A4 Avant when they are offering it for the sedan? Aren't these two largely the same car except for the rear? Where does Audi hope/expect drivers who prefer MT to go? I've driven an MT for 35 years, and that's what still like to drive. I don't want a stinkin' automatic, TipTronic, "fast-shifting", and whatever you want to call it.

I emailed AoA to express my concerns. I hope others do the same, although I'm not expecting it to make a difference.