A FIVE-SPEED automatic transmission with Tiptronic sequential manual operation is the only transmission available on Australian-spec S6 models. It has a tight bunch of ratios to suit the performance-oriented characteristics of the engine, and adaptive programming that adjusts the shifts according to driver's input via the accelerator. Up/down gear selection buttons are provided on the steering wheel for use in Tiptronic mode, in addition to manual selection via the gear lever. The quattro permanent four-wheel drive system splits engine torque 50:50 between the front and rear axle but enables up to 70 per cent to be diverted to one axle or the other.