RikiTik

This was posted over at fourtitude.com. The question is. Are you stuck with the DSG on the 3.2Sline or can you order the 6Speed stick?

"Directly from an Audi bulletin blastfaxed yesterday to dealers.
VERBATIM
"Most notably, we will be introducing a brand new model for the A3 with early October production - The A3 3.2. This vehicle comes standard with quattro, DSG transmission, and the S-Line package, and is very well equipped with a number of other standard features. The 3.2 250HP in this new A3 is shared with the TT 3.2.

*Standard features of the A3 3.2 include:
17" Excalibur silver alloy wheels with all-season tires
Front fog lights
S-Line front and rear bumpers and S-Line badges
Sport suspension
sport seats with power driver seat and lumbar
roof spoiler
sound package with Bose premium sound system and 6-disc CD changer
convenience package
alloy air vents and radio buttons; brushed alloy inlays
Three-spoke multifunction steering wheel with S-Line badge/alloy paddles
illuminated vanity mirrors, driver/passenger reading lights, and lighted door open
*Available options on the new 3.2 include:
cold weather package
rear side airbags
open sky system
satellite radio
premium leather
bi-xenon headlights
DVD Navigation
18" 20-spoke wheels with performance tires
Bluetooth phone preparation with voice control
*Bluetooth phone prep with voice control is available for ordering starting with late June production on the 2.0T model in conjunction with either the Premium or Sport package (and with 3.2 at its start of production)
*Bi-xenon lights will replace the Xenon lights option starting with early September production and are available on the 2.0T model in conjunction with the Premium or Sport package (and with the 3.2 at its start of production)"

April

a stick 2.0T. Hope to get a stick V6 if and when it comes.

RikiTik

I wonder if you could 'special order' a stick.

April

If AoA hasn't done the clearance for that combo, then they aren't going to let you order one. If they have done the clearance, then they would probably put it on regular order guides.

I tried many times to order a stick in the C5 A6 2.8 V6 and 4.2 V8. There was an incredibly tiny window in '00 that the 2.8 V6 could be ordered in stick. Maybe 200 cars arrived in that configuration. My understanding is that most did not sell, and AoA bought many cars back from dealers and shipped them to secondary markets elsewhere. After that when I tried to order a stick 2.8 for somebody, the system wouldn't let me do it. It would get kicked back in the order computer as an invalid order, and when I would call the order desk to try and see if it could be done, they would tell me it was impossible.

So although you might request your ABS try to order a V6 in stick, I wouldn't count on it until it shows up on an order guide.

qfrog Ti20

and that also helps explain why the AHA was in etka for the c5 without being noted as an automatic.

interesting...

crew219

April, why the preference for the VR6 over the 2.0t? Just curious.

April

VR6 better (not that the 2.0T sounds bad by any stretch - and I like that it doesn't sound like the usual VAG turbo). I usually cruise with the windows down in the Alfas, because the engine sounds so good. Finding I don't do that in the A3 now. The VR6 is one of my favourite non-Alfa engines, and with a few minor mods, sounds simply incredible (like it eats small children for breakfast ;-). The prospect of the evil intake rasp followed by a deep hard edged thrum of the exhaust, just makes my mouth water;-)

I also like the more linear power delivery of a normally aspirated motor. Other folks like the turbo rush from low rpms. The 2.0T hides the forced induction aspect really well, but I like the feeling of the higher I rev, the more power I'll get. Presently it's all there, pretty much all of the time, but there is little sense of a rising tide of power. Yeah, you can catch the turbo napping once in a while, and it's then that I miss the transparency of the normally aspirated engines.

For now, I'll take the present A3 over pretty much anything this side of a Maserati Quattroporte ;-) It's got the size, practicality, fit & finish, and ergonomics I've been waiting for. There is nothing really directly comparable for me. If and when the VR6 arrives in stick, it will be a car I buy and keep for a very long time.

crew219

like the VR6 so much. I'm guessing you'd get quattro as well.

Dave

RikiTik

If only I could get a manual it would be perfect. Have to give DSG a try I guess.

April

has such a nice lively feel, and I hope the V6 cars can retain that.