AUDI has developed a new Multitronic gearbox that is claimed to eliminate the sacrifices in performance and fuel economy normally associated with automatic transmission compared with manual equivalents.

The technology is available for A6 1.8T and 2.4 SE models and eventually for 1.8T, 2.0, 1.9 TDI and 2.5 TDI versions of the A4. It can be ordered for an extra cost of £1,450.