Audi has confirmed that it will no longer offer manual transmission models in Canada and the United States starting in 2019.
The experience of the updated Audi A4 and A5 coupes shows that their sales with six-speed manual gearboxes fell in the United States in mid-August, and a representative from Audi Canada confirmed that negative changes occurred on this side of the border as well.
Only five percent of A4 customers said they chose a manual box, which makes sales unprofitable for the German automaker. Instead, these cars will be offered cars with a seven-speed automatic.
The latest Audi in Canada with a manual transmission will be sold through dealerships, and sales of new cars of this type will end in 2019.
Check out our recent Audi Q5 Canadian Market Version review.
Nowadays no one is surprised by comfortable seats, a panoramic roof or acceleration to 100 in 6.3 seconds. What can this luxury crossover offer us and how does it differ from competitor`s models?
So: one of the most successful North American SUVs, stepping into the second generation, gained a pneumatic suspension, but lost the famous Torsen center differential, which now replaces the all-wheel-drive system “Quattro ultra”. What is it? The rear axle shuts down when not needed. But as soon as the electronics detect the conditions under which torque is required on the rear wheels (slip, drift, subzero temperatures, active pedaling), the rear axle is connected in literally milliseconds and is completely silent. Audi representatives assure that in no situation will the new “electronic Quattro” give in to the classic permanent all-wheel drive, neither in dynamics, nor in controllability, nor in traction control.
The new Q5 has updated the front and rear optics with bumpers and has slightly grown in length and width. Interior - nice plastic, excellent build quality, convenient control of almost all the bells and whistles on the steering wheel, a fully electronic dashboard that can show the map, phone calls and a lot of useful information. In addition, the second display between the driver and the passenger helps to deal with the GPS system and music.
Comparing the Q5 with those close in spirit to the Mercedes-Benz GLC, then it can be noted that Audi, perhaps, is a bit more dynamic. But Mercedes traditionally strikes the imagination with a variety of modifications, which is only partially compensated by the presence of a nearly endless list of options in Q5.
The cost of the car in the basic configuration: 45,450 CAD.
This is simply a great car for the money!