It was quite a shame that Audi chose to delay launch one of the best configurations of the new A4. However, they just announced that the New A4 can be configured with the 2.0T, with manual transmission, and quattro all-wheel drive. Also newly available is a front-wheel drive version with a continuously variable transmission – called Multitronic for Audi.

Dual clutch transmissions are one of the more exciting car technologies that have come in the past few years. Audi/VW was one of the first manufacturers to make this available on production cars available to normal consumers – the first car was actually the Bugatti Veyron. It’s been made on the VW Golf/Audi TT since their last generation – the cars share a similar platform.

Dual clutch transmissions offer all the fuel economy benefits of a manual tranmission while also allowing manual shifting via paddles or gearshift. Manual shifting does not use a clutch pedal. Moreover, these transmissions can be computer controlled for an “automatic” mode for customers that are used to automatic transmissions.

With automakers racing to reduce fleet-wide fuel economy numbers, all major automakers are rushing to put out these transmissions into their cars. Here’s a list of cars that are available right now with these gearboxes. Each company uses a different name for the gearbox.

BMW M-DCT (available in the M3) – Getrag 7DCI600
Bugatti Veyron – Made by BorgWarner
VW/Audi DSG (Jetta, Rabbit, TT) – BorgWarner
Audi DSG (S5) – BorgWarner
Mitsubishi SS-T (Evo X) – Getrag 6DCT470
Nissan (GTR) – BorgWarner
Porsche PDK (911) – ZF

Furthermore, the following car companies have announced efforts to put out dual clutch transmissions in the near future:
Chrysler – Getrag
Ford – Getrag (DirectShift)

Top Gear is probably the most entertaining show on television. A selection of this episode takes the fantastic R8 vs. the hardcore Porsche GT3.

Now that BMW offers the 335 in xi trim we have two all-wheel drive tourers from the Germans. The BMW 335xi has a lower list price ($54,100 CDN) but the Audi S5 ($65,900) comes with a lot more standard options. What is the price difference when these cars are optioned out as close as possible?

2008 BMW 335xi Coupe
Base Price: $54,100
Selected Options:
sport pack (18, sport seats) $2000
premium sound $1200
premium pack (garage door, dimming mirrors, lumbar, compass mirror, bmw assist/bluetooth, leather) $3950
servotronic $350
park distance control $450
Options not selected:
navigation $2900
sport seats $800 – already on sport pack
comfort acces $750
rear sunshade $400
bmw assist $1100
usb audio $350
Total Price: $61,700

Audi S5 4.2 quattro
Base Price:
Selected Options:
Audi Care $700
Options not selected:
navigation $3500
Audi navigation system plus with six disc CD changer* $3,500.00
Audi side assist $650.00
Stainless Steel Texture inlays $500
Total Price $66,600

The only remaining difference is that the A5 has 19″ rims standard and the 335i only has 18″ as the largest option. The comparable prices are $61,700 for the 335xi and $66,600 for the S5 – just short of $5000.

First of all, to get this out of the way, there is no way that the Audi RS4 will win this comparision. Not only is it the most expensive car here, but it’s so expensive by such a wide margin that instead of the RS4 I would recommend getting one of the other sedans and a backup car like a hyundai. Yes, the price difference is that much. Audi – get your act together.

Price:
The C63 leads in the pricing category as shown below.
BMW M3 Sedan: $69,600 (also available as coupe: $71,300)
Audi RS4 Sedan: $94,200
Lexus IS-F Sedan: $64,400
Mercedes-Benz C63 Sedan: $63,500

In case you were wondering, in Canada we are still paying an enormous price premium on cars even though the Canadian dollar is at parity. What’s worse is that all of these cars were introduced after it went to parity last fall and have not been adjusted. Below you will find the US dollar prices and the Canadian premium (in brackets):

BMW M3 Sedan: $53,800 (29%)
Audi RS4 Sedan: $66,910 (41%)
Lexus IS-F Sedan: $56,000 (15%)
Mercedes-Benz C63 Sedan: $53,800 (18%)