I tried to post this in GQ, but the SDMB gremlins got me. 
I really like the Audi A6 Quatro so this is of some interest to me, though the multitronic isn’t available with the 2.7T yet.
So I’m seeking opinions.
Boy, this ‘new’ thing sound’s pretty good. Audi claims better fuel economy and a slightly better 0-60 than the six speed manual.
There are, however, a couple of questions I haven’t found an answer for. For one, how durable is it? And I wonder if it retards when you let off the gas. Most automatics don’t, and as an lifelong manual driver I miss that.
Anyway, does anyone at the ATMB have one? And what do the rest of you think of this idea?
Sound’s good to me, if it work’s.
Peace,
mangeorge
I don’t know if this is the kind of analysis you’re looking for, but I’ve driven the Multitronic a couple of times(my dad has an A8L) and the one complaint I had was that the automatic component kicks in if you try to push the shifts. the cutoff point where it shifts for you seems a little conservative to me.
An A8, huh? Woo Hoo!
Are you referring to the multitronic, 5-HT, or the tiptronic.
The tiptronic is an electronically controlled six speed automatic. With gears. And an up/down shifter thingie on the steering wheel.
The multitronic is a chain driven, infinitely variable transmission. No real gears. You can manually select set points, but there is no actual shifting. I guess I’ll have to go drive one.
I’ve heard your complaint before, but re the tiptronic tranny. I drove one (in a 2.7T), but the salesman kept getting nervous.
Thanks for your input. I’ll probably wind up with the manual.
If you haven’t, you might want to read the link. It’s an interesting concept. Pulleys, yet. And no torque converter.
Peace,
mangeorge
5-HT, the A8L is not available with the multitronic transmission. Your father has the standard Tiptronic automatic transmission. The A8L generates more horsepower than the Multitronic can handle.
As the Multitronic transmission itself has only been out a couple of years, reliability studies have not come out yet.
If you have more questions about the transmission, you should head over to the AudiWorld forums, where tons of helpful people spend their free time.
The multitronic my be new, but the CVT (continuously variable transmission) is half a century old. It was invented by the Van Doorne brothers. Their factory still resides in Tilburg, the Netherlands, the town I was born. 
Having driven a few cars with CVT (though no Audis), I’d say engine braking with a CVT is sort of a middle ground between a full auto and a full manual. It’ll stop revving, and you’ll feel some initial engine braking that wears off as the belt moves down the cones, for lack of a better description. An auto will immediately upshift, resulting in no engine braking at all.
I’m sure the degree of engine braking varies per engine configuration.
Reliability is actually very good for a CVT. One of the main selling points car manufacturers use is lower maintenance costs. No clutch to replace, et cetera. Of course, CVT’s don’t handle tons of horsepower real well, the reason why you see very few big cars with them. In Europe, the Fiat Punto and Nissan Micra can both be equiped with a CVT. Obviously, these are not powerhouses: probaby some 80 or 90 BHP. With a small car, that’s enough of course. Also, a CVT accelerates just as fast or faster than the same care equiped with a manual: no shift points.
It’ll be interesting to see how an Audi 2.7T will do with a CVT, in terms of reliability. It ought to be fine, but it’s a bit of a first, too.
Of course, the A6 is a butt-ugly car, but that’s another matter.
Audis with the 2.7T V6 are not currrently available with the Multitronic transmission, but we all have our fingers crossed.
The highest output engine Audi mates with the Multitronic transmission is the 3.0L V6, which is available in the A4 and the A6. It produces 220HP vs. the 2.7T’s 250HP.
That’s part of it’s charm for me, Coldfire. I looked at the 530i, but I really don’t want to be part of the parade. Seem’s like every time you turn around there’s one (or two) of the bimmers there.
Besides, I’d love to catch one of the 530i’s on the open road and play with him/her a little.
Another downside for me (with the multitronic) is that Audi hasn’t hooked it up with Quatro yet. I really want the manual, but I’m getting a little stiff in the old joints. Time’s a wastin’.
Did I mention that my present car is a Windstar, my 1st car with an auto.? So I imagine there’ll be a little transition period. 
Peace,
mangeorge
If you want a manual, but are forced to drive an auto, I’d say get a tiptronic. Best of both worlds!
I guess the 2.7T and the CVT are a bad match not because of power alone: the turbo kick may have something to do with it too.
Still, is 220 BHP a problem for an A6? Seems plenty of grunt to me.
Well, not to beat a manual 530i with - but still. And yeah, Quattros are great. Excellent 4WD system. However, parade or not, a BMW is the better driver’s car. Rear wheel drive, great weight balance - hmmmmm!
That’s not to say Audis are inferior, just different IMHO. If I needed an Autobahn cruiser, I’d get an A8. If I wanted a fast sedan that can be flicked around, I’d get an M3. Budget permitting.
Luckily, I don’t have to make these tough decisions. I’ll stick with the FWD Peugeot and the RWD Yamaha for now.
Regarding CVTs: the original Van Doorne patents are still in use! The first car to have them was the DAF “Daffodil”-this had a 45 HP engine! From what I understand, the transmission works quite well, and has been used by HONDA as well. However, SUBARU marketed a car called the “JUSTY” that had a CVTand it was a disaster! The belts wore out and self-destructed the transmission, usually before 50,000 miles. I have driven the HONDA CIVIC (HX) with the CVT-its a weird feeling-sort of like driving a manual with a slipping clutch!