Metaldyne, Preh speed up shifting in the new Audi A3
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The new Audi A3 is available with either a five-speed manual or seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission. Audi says the dual-clutch transmission can change gears in 200 milliseconds. The driver can choose fully automatic mode or manually shift gears by using the gear lever or the A3's steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles. Metaldyne supplies the differential gears for the dual-clutch transmission while the shift paddles come from Preh.
In addition to the shift paddles, Preh supplies the A3's climate control system as well as its multifunctional steering wheel switches, which enable the driver to operate a number of features including the car's entertainment and telephone systems.
Audi's latest A3, which is the third-generation of the car, is bigger but lighter than the car it replaces. The five-door A3 is 1175kg, 80kg less than the last-generation car, making it the same weight as the first-generation three-door A3, which was launched in 1986. At 4237mm, the new A3 is 87mm longer than the first-generation model. CO2 emissions are cut by 17 percent compared with the previous-generation car. The first A3 was sold only as a three-door hatchback. The five-door Sportback wagon variant was added in 2004 and a two-door cabriolet followed in 2008. The latest A3 line gets a sedan version that will be the only variant sold in the United States. The sedan will also be sold in China and Europe.
