German automotive "secrets" (automatic transmissions)

[William Magliocco]

That V-A-G got smart and is using JAPANESE slushboxes in the current Passat and Jettabbit offerings? 

Having seen how crappy the VW built 3 speed A/T was as used in the 5000 (C3) turbo sedan I would say that anything was an improvement.

Even the ZF built slushbox as found in my 1993 C4 Audi 100 is significantly better than the one it replaced.