AHEAD OF THE GAME.(Audi's transmissions.)

Byline: MAC MORRISON

Audi's trick DSG is the best F1-type transmission yet

We've seen the future, and it is good. Audi's 2004 TT 3.2 quattro boasts V6 power (a TT first), revised suspension and subtle yet aggressive bodywork changes, which include a new front spoiler, rear wing and diffuser. When we got our hands on a test car, though, we went straight for the paddles.

Those steering-wheel-mounted gear selectors are connected to Audi's Direct Shift Gearbox, the only transmission available with the V6. Europeans can specify a six-speed manual, but Audi says it has no plans to offer that option in America. With two concentric clutch discs and two input shafts, one inside the other (each shaft takes three gears), the DSG allows for simultaneous engagement of two gears, if only for a fraction of a second (AW, March 24, 2003). The two big advantages this gives over conventional single-clutch systems are uninterrupted power flow to the driven wheels and smoother shifts.

The DSG is without doubt the smoothest electrohydraulic transmission we've tested. Full automatic mode? Have no fear; there is no head-snapping jerkiness, no driveline shunt. Drive in anything approaching normal style and, chances are, you won't be able to tell this is not a torque converter-equipped automatic.

Select manual mode via the center console-mounted gear lever and it is more of the same. Open the throttle and pull the right paddle (or tap the lever) to upshift, then stomp on the brakes as your left hand flicks down through the box: Brap, brap, brap. For the most part, the software does a good job matching engine revs to road speed, although you often feel a bit of mismatched engine braking when you grab second and first gears. But let the speed drop a little more before you select the low ratios and the action smooths out.

Our biggest disappointment with the DSG is in manual mode, when the computer auto-upshifts at redline. Since the engine develops its 250-hp peak at 6300 rpm-very near to the 6400-rpm rev limit-the software can beat you to the upshift punch when you try to achieve maximum power. Practically no time passes between 6300 and ...