Any news on the Auto?

[calibrated]

Frankfurt 2011: 8spd Automatic & 132kW TDI Revealed

Hey guys the info you've been waiting for is revealed will post pictures as soon as they're available.

Cheers
phaeton

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Innovative automatic transmission system for the Amarok

8-speed automatic transmission together with BlueMotion Technology increases comfort and cuts consumption

Amarok with automatic gearbox combines high levels of off-road ability, comfort and fuel efficiency

Hanover / Frankfurt, 13 September 2011 - From the turn of the of year, the gearbox options available for the successful Amarok will include an innovative 8-speed automatic transmission. This new transmission system combines a high degree of ride comfort and good off-road skills with a level of fuel consumption below that of the same model with a manual gearbox. Consumption of just 7.6 litres per 100 km and CO2 emissions of 199 g/km set this Amarok apart in the 1-tonne pick-up market.

Sporting a new 8-speed automatic transmission, the Amarok is the first pick-up in its class to have a transmission system of this kind. The additional gear levels made it possible to achieve a broader gear ratio spread between the 1st and 8th gears compared to a conventional automatic transmission. That had some very positive effects: thanks to this greater spread the TDI engine works even more effectively in every rev range, and it is more fuel-efficient and agile. Moreover, 8th gear was configured as a fuel-saving overdrive gear that operates at reduced engine speed. The first gear is configured for pulling away in off-road use or when towing. Like the manual version, the Amarok with automatic transmission and permanent 4-wheel drive is thus also highly capable in all-terrain use without any need for additional reduction gearing.

The low engine revs that are generated also have a beneficial effect in terms of low-noise comfort. To isolate the drivetrain as ideally as possible from engine vibrations, enhanced torque converters with optimised vibration dampers are also used.

Combining the new automatic gearbox with the engine's Stop/Start function is not only something unique - it is also convenient. The driver does not need to do anything special here: when the brake pedal is pressed at a stop, the engine shuts off, and when the brake pedal is released, the TDI immediately starts up again.

In order for the Amarok's Stop/Start system to function smoothly throughout every phase, the transmission has to provide sufficient oil pressure to ensure slip-free power transfer within the gear-shifting components. Therefore, the system has an electric pump, which maintains the necessary stable oil pressure within the hydraulic system during the engine's 'Stop' phase.

This great technological sophistication - combined with BlueMotion Technology that includes battery regeneration and low rolling resistance tyres - is clearly noticeable in the vehicle's fuel consumption. Unlike comparable rival models, fuel consumption and CO2 emission values of Volkswagen's premier pick-up with automatic transmission are lower than those of the 120-kW version with manual transmission - just 7.6 litres per 100 km and 199 g/km respectively - making it the most fuel-efficient in its class.

The new automatic transmission is combined with permanent 4-wheel drive and a new engine: a 132 kW / 180 PS 2.0-litre bi-turbo TDI. It has a maximum torque of 420 Newton metres and thus produces very good driving performance and a relaxed ride - even when towing or with a heavy payload. The top speed of 179 km/h is reached in 7th gear. It only takes 8.5 seconds to accelerate from 80 to 120 km/h.

Relaxed driving is also assured with a trailer load or high payload. With the automatic gearbox, the Amarok's towing capacity has now been increased to 3.2 metric tonnes (up to 12% gradient) - which is a superior value in its class.

The Amarok with double cab will be available in all three versions with this innovative, powerful and at the same time fuel-efficient and comfortable drive system starting in January.

Cheers for the info Ben

[joshdalt]

Now that is exciting news, look forward to having a drive early next year.

[Peter Jones]

Very exciting indeed. Ticks a lot of boxes for me. Have to start saving!

Hopefully we get some new colours too. I need a red one

[phaeton]

[Sumodog68]

I guess V6 TDI would be a next logical step ?

[Tornado T5]

Does anyone know if this is a ZF unit? I know I would prefer this in a T5 to the DSG's I've had, especially for low speed smoothness.

[pologti18t]

Does anyone know if this is a ZF unit? I know I would prefer this in a T5 to the DSG's I've had, especially for low speed smoothness.

It's a proper torque converter 8 speed auto

I have noticed that Audi seems to fitting more models in the USA with torque converter autos rather than DSG. Seems the yanks don't really like the dsg gearboxes in luxo/suv models

[phaeton]

Does anyone know if this is a ZF unit? I know I would prefer this in a T5 to the DSG's I've had, especially for low speed smoothness.

Yes its is like the ZF manual that is already in the Amarok.

[flyingfridge]

Now that is exciting news, look forward to having a drive early next year.

Won't happen until the second half of 2012 in Oz

Does anyone know if this is a ZF unit? I know I would prefer this in a T5 to the DSG's I've had, especially for low speed smoothness.

Yup, it's the same gearbox as the Touareg.

[idaho]

Does anyone know if this is a ZF unit? I know I would prefer this in a T5 to the DSG's I've had, especially for low speed smoothness.

...
Yup, it's the same gearbox as the Touareg.

In which case it is an AISIN gearbox.