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multitronic[1] is a stepless transmission launched by AUDI AG in late 1999,[2] jointly developed and manufactured by LuK.[3]
Based on the principles of continuously variable transmission (CVT)[3] popularised by DAF, multitronic offers a stepless automatic transmission[2] in which the ratio between the input shaft and output shaft can be varied continuously within a given range, providing virtually an infinite number of possible ratios.[3] The multitronic system uses a link-plate chain drive,[2][3] an oil-cooled multi-plate clutch[2] (initially of six parts,[2] later of seven to enable it to cope better with the high torque outputs of larger turbodiesel engines), and complex electronics, to overcome the traditional shortcomings of CVTs.[2]
multitronic (spelled by Audi with a lower-case leading 'm') is a registered trademark of AUDI AG.
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The transmission is monitored and regulated by Audi's "Dynamic Regulating Programme" (DRP),[2] which tracks the driver's inputs (from how the driver applies the throttle pedal),[2] driving conditions, and engine load - to compute the optimal gear ratio for fuel efficiency or maximum performance, as mandated by the user.[2] The transmission can select pre-programmed underdrive to increase performance, or overdrive to improve economy.[2] From 2004, multitronic transmissions offered manual selection of a 'sport mode' to pre-select the performance mapping. The electronic system also includes sensors to detect whether the vehicle is traveling downhill, and provides additional engine braking in such circumstances.[2] multitronic also offers a number of driver-selectable fixed ratios, selectable from either the gear-lever in a sequential style, or via (optional) steering wheel-mounted fingertip paddle-shift controls.[2]
Early versions offered six ratios;[2] in 2004, this was increased to seven, while new Audi models now have multitronic transmission with eight ratios. Some Audi A6 variants that feature the multitronic transmission are now equipped with the fingertip controls as standard. These controls can also switch to semi-automatic mode when one of the paddles is activated; however, they revert to fully automatic after a predetermined period of time of inactivity.
multitronic offers performance and economy similar to, and in some cases better than, the equivalent five-speed manual gearboxes,[1][2] and superior to the traditional automatic transmission.[2] Particular performance advantages are noticed with 'in-gear' seamless acceleration[1] times over equivalent manual transmission cars.[2]
multitronic is offered on front wheel drive-only versions of the Audi A4, Audi A5, Audi A6, and the SEAT Exeo with the 2.0 TSI gasoline engine .[4] It is not compatible with the quattro four-wheel drive system, nor transverse engine installations such as in the Audi A3. At first, the torque limit was 310 newton metres (229 ft·lbf), but the transmission is now modified to withstand 400 newton metres (295 ft·lbf) torque.[3]
In 2001, Audi promoted the multitronic transmission with television commercials throughout Europe, featuring an impersonator of musician and actor Elvis Presley.[5][6] A prototypical dashboard figure - later named "Wackel-Elvis" ("Wobble Elvis" or "Wobbly Elvis") - appeared in the commercials to demonstrate the smooth ride in an Audi equipped with the multitronic transmission. The dashboard figure was originally intended for use in the commercials only, but after they aired the demand for Wackel-Elvis grew among fans and the figure was mass produced in China and marketed by Audi in their factory outlet store.[7]
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