As a part of highlight preview of the 2013 model, Audi today, through a press release announced a ‘new S tronic twin-clutch sports transmission delivering blink-of-an-eye gear shifts and improved sprinting ability’ replacing the current R-tronic automated manual option for its best selling sportster R8.

‘With a three-shaft layout, the S tronic transmission is less than 60 centimetres in length. Its two multi-plate clutches are positioned behind one another (a new feature), and serve two mutually independent sub-transmissions; gears are shifted directly as the clutches alternately open and close. As a result gearshifts take place within hundredths of a second and with virtually no interruption to tractive power.’ claims Audi.

Empowered with the new 7-speed S tronic transmission, the R8 V8 and V10 Coupé and V10 Spyder versions have not just improved the acceleration time from rest to 62mph by three-tenths of a second compared with R tronic-equipped equivalents, but have also reduced carbon-dioxide emissions by 22-gm/km.

The ultra-rapid transmission is just one of the fascinating highlights of the 2013 Model Year R8 range, which shall now also feature a new design detailing and all-LED lighting across the board, equipment upgrades for most models and a new, even more powerful and focused version of the V10 Coupé – the 550PS V10 plus.