The 2017 A4 Gets a DIY Gearbox and a Faster Sprint Time

2017 Audi A4 Quattro Manual (Credit: © Audi)

As we near the end of the 2016 calendar year, the 2017 model cars are coming quickly. The Audi A4 already technically made its 2017 debut, but the Germans have just released a few new details, including filling a hole that the initial release left.

The hole I am talking about is, of course, the available manual transmission that was part of the 2016 lineup but was conveniently left off the A4’s initial press release. Well, Audi has now announced that the redesigned 2017 A4 will continue to offer a manual transmission – albeit a significantly updated one.

The six-speed manual that comes with the new A4 underwent a complete redesign. It features loads of magnesium, open gearwheels, hollow shafts, and a smaller clutch that combine to drop its weight by 35.3 pounds. Additionally, this new transmission gains a spur-gear stage that replaces the shaft to the front diff. All of this combines with the new 252-horsepower 2.0-liter engine and updated Quattro all-wheel drive for a 5.7-second sprint to 60 mph – a whopping 0.7 seconds quicker than last year’s A4 Quattro Manual.

This model also gains an exclusive Sport Plus package, which adds 18-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in summer rubber, available Daytona Gray paint, S Line leather and Alcantara upholstery, sport seats, stainless-steel pedals, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and aluminum interior inlays.

Showing that this manual-shift A4 is primed for performance is the new Audi Dynamic Steering and Adaptive Suspension. Both of these features were once only available with the S4.

As for pricing, the A4 Quattro Manual starts out at $39,400 for the Premium trim, while the Premium Plus trim runs $43,200 and the Prestige trim checks in at $48,000. This version of the 2017 A4 will hit showrooms this fall.