S3 to get 7 speed S-Tronic

[JohnS3]

Due to road tax and lots of mileage I might go for a 330D Coupe next year... hardly exciting but more sensible...

Pedro

S3 road tax for 2008/2009 which is currently in band F 217g/km will be £210. When the new system comes into play in 2009/2010 it will be in band K and cost £300. However if you were to buy a new one at that time you would have to pay £550 for the first year, the so called "showroom tax", and then £310 per year in year 2 and subsequent years. (But we all know it will have gone up further by then!)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/629/629/7293011.stm

Or do I have that all wrong?

 

[steve184]

57mph is the most economical speed for all cars in top gear? - what a load of tosh - how can it be, EVERY car has different fuel maps, gear ratios, amount of gear (4,5,6,7) wheel sizes, etc etc far too many variables for ONE single speed to suit all. Pub talk.

I have to admit, I am currently in a courtesy car and it feels completely old fashioned to have to change gear manually to the point where i really don't know what car I will get next as ANY car with a manual box will feel like going backwards in technological terms... just hoping more manufacturers catch on to the DSG thing - i know volvo and ford are developing their own - others will probably follow I guess.

I think the most pointless gearbox selection every made by a manufacturer is mercedes who apparently have a car with 7 forward gears and TWO reverse gears - now theres pointless for you!

 

[Staz]

57mph is the most economical speed for all cars in top gear? - what a load of tosh - how can it be, EVERY car has different fuel maps, gear ratios, amount of gear (4,5,6,7) wheel sizes, etc etc far too many variables for ONE single speed to suit all. Pub talk.

Not another arguement with Steve!

Ok car manufacturers work towards getting the best mpg figures for the EU extra-urban tests. That's what sells cars in europe now. The most economical speed for most cars comes at fairly low revs in top gear. Of course some cars have extra long gearing so they can reach very high top speeds but above 60mph wind resistance increases fuel consumption exponentially.

You'll notice my original statement said MOST cars, so please refrain from stating that I said ALL.

Some cars will be ragging the **** off their engine at those speeds and others will be idling, but most cars in the UK not to those extremes and are designed to be most economical at between 55 and 60mph.

 

[Amchlolor]

as ANY car with a manual box will feel like going backwards in technological terms

It might be a step back in technological terms, but it isn't a step back in control and driving enjoyment terms, I can assure you (as someone who has made the 'step back').
Technologically superior doesn't necessarily mean better.
I mean, microwave ovens are technologically better than an Aga, but I know which one makes the nicest food...

FWIW, I believe BMW are doing a twin-clutch DSG-type gearbox now.
I believe it's available on the new M3 convertible.
I may have read it wrong/misunderstood though.

 

[Macduff]

But using 6th saves you fuel! I try to get into 6th by 30mph. I was looking at the DIS the other day, cruise control on, 30mph, 6th gear, 50mpg. Same test, same road 5th gear 45mpg.

Not always.

My A4 1.9 130 uses more fuel at 60 in 6th than it does in 5th. It's to do with keeping an engine in its most economical zone which is where peak torque is. By dropping below that zone, you tend to have to press harder on the accelerator to keep your speed constant.

Plus, by driving in 6th at 30 you have absolutely no performance available should you need it quickly.

I'm never higher than 3rd at 30 UNLESS I can see that it's absolutely clear. Even then I won't be higher than 4th

 

[phantom]

Plus, by driving in 6th at 30 you have absolutely no performance available should you need it quickly.
I'm never higher than 3rd at 30 UNLESS I can see that it's absolutely clear. Even then I won't be higher than 4th

Totally agree , ok....i don't pay for my fuel , but when i have had too ,still in 2.0l cars , i drive them as above!

IMHO you shouldn't be even thinking of 5th let alone 6th untill your 35-40mph on a long clear road, the cars got " enough " turbo lag has it is when being in the correct gear!

Also i don't see the point in buying a 30k "performance car" to penny pinch on fuel ( i'n not saying you have to teararse it everywhere ) if economy is so important to you the S3 is the wrong car!

Wheres the enjoyment in getting behind a HGV banging it in 6th at 30mph just to get a extra mile or 2 out of a tank of fuel.

Just my 2p worth

p

 

[Amchlolor]

According to the figures I can find, the S3 is geared for roughly 25mph per 1000rpm in 6th gear.
That's quite a bit lower than a diesel, (usually around 35mph per 1000rpm).
That explains how an S3 can do it, but my diesel A3/D3 couldn't even hope to.

 

[Deleted member 22276]

According to the figures I can find, the S3 is geared for roughly 25mph per 1000rpm in 6th gear.
That's quite a bit lower than a diesel, (usually around 35mph per 1000rpm).
That explains how an S3 can do it, but my diesel A3/D3 couldn't even hope to.

So at 7000 in 6th you're doing 175, good to know!

 

[Amchlolor]

So at 7000 in 6th you're doing 175, good to know!

Yeah, in a perfect world with no rev limiters and no wind resistance...

 

[Deleted member 22276]

Yeah, in a perfect world with no rev limiters and no wind resistance...

Mine revs to over 7000 thanks to GIAC I've seen 170 on the speedo before I decided that was more than enough (autobahn), but the speedo overreads somewhat so it was probably more like 160. Would be interesting to take it to an air field or something to see what the GPS approved top speed really is.

 

[phantom]

Mine revs to over 7000 thanks to GIAC I've seen 170 on the speedo before I decided that was more than enough (autobahn), but the speedo overreads somewhat so it was probably more like 160. Would be interesting to take it to an air field or something to see what the GPS approved top speed really is.

I wouldn't be too sure of that mate , my speedo is bang on ( with a rollin road, and there fancy GPS )

Somebody else said there car was spot on with GPS as well , it may have been S3 LTN on one of his France trips?

p

 

[Amchlolor]

Your rev counter will be over-reading as well.
Assuming your speedo is correct (going by the comments above), then 170 mph means your car is actually doing 6800rpm.
I read the rev limiter is set at 6500rpm, but I am aware your GIAC 'thingy' may over-ride that.
If it was a bike, you'd change the gearing.
Going well into the red-line at those sorts of speeds is asking for one big bang...

 

[PNH80]

Thats stupid! so you recon if you have a fast car you should thrash it everywhere!?

Who said anything about thrashing? I'd have bought a Civic Type R or an Evo if i was that type. Simply saying when you have a 'performance car' it's nice to actually use it and go through the gears, not just get up to 6th ASAP to save fuel all the time.....Just enjoy the car!

 

[Amchlolor]

Taxi drivers are the undisputed masters of 'get it into top asap' driving.
Some of the horrible noises their cars make...good grief, as they let the revs die to the point where the engine's on the verge of stalling.
You all know the noise, like a really loud 'pinking' (maybe one for the older members there!).
For god's sake man, change down!

 

[Deleted member 22276]

Taxi drivers are the undisputed masters of 'get it into top asap' driving.
Some of the horrible noises their cars make...good grief, as they let the revs die to the point where the engine's on the verge of stalling.
You all know the noise, like a really loud 'pinking' (maybe one for the older members there!).
For god's sake man, change down!

Lol, very true!

 

[Deleted member 22276]

I wouldn't be too sure of that mate , my speedo is bang on ( with a rollin road, and there fancy GPS )

Somebody else said there car was spot on with GPS as well , it may have been S3 LTN on one of his France trips?

p

Unfortunately mine overreads quite a bit, I've noticed when using my GPS that I'm going slower than the speedo says. Especially with the new tyres.

 

[Jo Sharp]

just got this from Audi UK by email: Thank you for your e mail dated 6 May 2008, regarding the Audi S3 Sportback. Please accept my apologies for the delay in replying. I have spoken to Audi Product Marketing who told me that there are currently no plans to release the S3 with an S tronic gearbox in the UK.

 

[stan]

Having read the link in the first post it says 2.0T FSI Q. will only be availible with s tronic, is this right or have i read it wrong, this will upset lots of people.

 

[jamiekip]

I wouldn't be too sure of that mate , my speedo is bang on ( with a rollin road, and there fancy GPS )

Somebody else said there car was spot on with GPS as well , it may have been S3 LTN on one of his France trips?

p

I had a moment (several actually!) driving back from the alps.
Sat at 150kmh exactly on cruise control. Got done at exactly 150 by the gendarmes (they even showed me the laser display). So I'm guessing it's near perfect (or at least mine is).
Either that or both my car and their equipment were out to exactly the same extent!

 

[Deleted member 21388]

Crikey this thread has moved around on subjects a bit ! I think that 6th needs to be a bit longer in the S3, but is quite happy pottering around town at about 35 in 6th. But I've found that the Speedo over reads a fair bit compared to my road angel GPS.

Richard

 

[Staz]

Ok well I appreciate the input gents. Obviously diesels are different from what you're saying. I have no experience with diesels.

I was taught that you should get into top gear as soon as possible. And I have found that 30mph is fine in all the cars I've driven. You may not agree but that's up to you of course.

I don't penny pinch when it comes to fuel, I wouldn't have an S3 if I did. I put my foot down quite often. Also I get tax free fuel when in Germany anyway. But I don't see the point in using a lower gear for prolonged periods of time for no reason. If we say 40mph (as it may be more of an agreeable figure for most) and you're going down a road for miles and miles at that speed, stuck behind someone maintaining that constant speed, then why be in a lower gear? It's just wasting fuel unecessarily. I'm not saying I enjoy that, I'm just saying what's the point?

For me it means that there are less stops at the garage and also it makes me feel better when I do floor it that I'm using the fuel I have 'saved up' lol.

 

[Jo Sharp]

Having read the link in the first post it says 2.0T FSI Q. will only be availible with s tronic, is this right or have i read it wrong, this will upset lots of people.

The top bit of the announcement was clear: [New seven-speed version of S tronic dual clutch transmission for selected models, including, at a later date, the S3] so if there is any confusion, Audi is to blame...as usual!!

 

[phantom]

I had a moment (several actually!) driving back from the alps.
Sat at 150kmh exactly on cruise control. Got done at exactly 150 by the gendarmes (they even showed me the laser display). So I'm guessing it's near perfect (or at least mine is).
Either that or both my car and their equipment were out to exactly the same extent!

Yeah it was you JamieKip i was thinking of

Yep my speedo is bang on , so i now slow to 28mph over speed traps, just to make sure!

p

 

[A3_3.2_S-Line]

I never...ever use 6th unless i'm on a by-pass or motorway. If you've got an S3, 2.0TFSI or 3.2 V6 you're totally defeating the point of the car if you pootle everywhere in 6th gear! If you were THAT bothered about economy you'd have a diesel anyway.
I don't have any major issues with the 6 speed manual on my quattro but sometimes the gears do seem a little short under harder acceleration i.e. run out of breath a little too quickly before a change is required....Maybe it's just me!

Paul.

I second that. I'm stuck in Third at the moment, since I got it chipped.

 

[Macduff]

If we say 40mph (as it may be more of an agreeable figure for most) and you're going down a road for miles and miles at that speed, stuck behind someone maintaining that constant speed, then why be in a lower gear? It's just wasting fuel unecessarily. I'm not saying I enjoy that, I'm just saying what's the point?

Because as I said before it's not necessarily more economical to be in a higher gear. It's not as simple as saying the engine's turning more slowly so I'll be using less fuel. It may take more fuel per stroke to keep it going because it's not in it's most economical zone.

Have you every looked at the rev counter in a truck or bus? The ones I've seen have a green zone marked on them which I was told shows the most economical zone to keep the revs in. It doesn't start at idle speed. It starts from the point where peak torque is delivered. Below that it's yellow because that zone isn't as economical. The same principal applies to smaller engines in cars.

 

[Staz]

Because as I said before it's not necessarily more economical to be in a higher gear. It's not as simple as saying the engine's turning more slowly so I'll be using less fuel. It may take more fuel per stroke to keep it going because it's not in it's most economical zone.

No I understand that it's not about being at the lowest possible revs and yes it needs to be in that certain band. And that band is typically between 1500 and 3000rpm. And within those revs most petrol cars can happily do 30+ mph.
Every car I have ever driven can anyway!

So....7 gears on an A3???....wow....

 

[Jo Sharp]

My dealer told me today that the S3 with DSG will start production in week 45.

 

[Oli.]

I think my S3 might be sold, and I've ditched the RS4 idea, due to the fact they are dropping like stones, price wise, so a S3 Sportback S-Tronic will be top of my shopping list - If they are releasing this model, if not it will just be the manual

 

[sibby]

Common sense would suggest if it is in the TT-S then it is possible to be in the S3, Audi won't say yes until it is actually out ~ to do with their marketing.

 

[h5djr]

No doubt the main reason for using the 7-speed S-tronic in the S3 is that Audi have developed this version to enable it to handle a higher torque limit of 550Nm. This was mainly developed to be used in the A4, A5, A6, Q5 and Q7 and with the quattro drive system.

I assume that are just modifying it to work in a transverse setup as well for the S3. The S3 S-tronic is due for release in October 2008.