A8 musings.....

[IT]

Originally Posted by paulrstaylor

I think you need to invest on some lead for your right boot

Seriously I have a naturally aspirated V8 (granted it is only an S4) and a V8T diesel A8. The difference is the S4 feels and sounds fast, where as the A8 simply is faster without the "fuss" or maybe "fun".....

I have plenty of lead, but its not working

To be clear. It isn't about the stopwatch 0-60 times. And its not about the motorway cruise, or the B road overtake, all of which the diesel is perfectly well accomplished at - and possibly better.

Its that first 0.5 seconds after the hammer goes down.

Sat waiting for an eternity for the engine to lug the massive weight forward enough for the engine to spin and the turbos to build some puff and then suddenly we're off at a frantic rate of knots.

Even at higher speeds, and even though the gearbox and engine are incredibly smooth, you know that when your foot goes down there's so much frantic gearbox work going on to mask the otherwise complex torque curve that's happening under bonnet.

I guess, I just prefer it simple. Foot down = already gone. I'm not slating the excellence that is the D4, or even the D3, but more the motor industry in general for leaving us with this 'norm' that actually is rather a backwards step.

We're now turbocharging everything in the pursuit of the smallest, most eco friendly possible start/stop engine with no real guts, relying on puffs of wind to actually get the ball rolling.

The only manufacturer that seems to have properly advanced in the launch department is Tesla, although that's an emotional mix of 'insane' velocity with no noise which is oh so weird. But not totally in a bad way.

I loved my S4. It was manual, and whether it was quick or not, I don't recall to compare, but i felt in control of every cubic inch of capacity. And that was really important with hindsight

Give me a little fuss and fun with my luxury. Bring back the 'sport' in the A8....

[paulrstaylor]

Originally Posted by IT

We're now turbocharging everything in the pursuit of the smallest, most eco friendly possible start/stop engine with no real guts, relying on puffs of wind to actually get the ball rolling.

We are talking about a V8 aren't we?

In seriousness, I know what you mean - but I guess I have adapted to compensate, as given the choice I usually take the A8, not the S4 these days..... Massage seats I guess

[David's8]

I guess, Ian that, given your frequently expressed preference for D2 PF throttle linkages consisting of levers and steel wire over FL "fly by wire" , you are missing the feeling of connectedness between your foot and the fuel entering the cylinder?

[Ameiseuk]

I have the same issue with my Infiniti, after years of NA petrol engines - 3.5v6 in the skyline, 3.0 flat 6 in the Legacy and 3.2v6 in a honda legend to name a few I now find myself in a fly by wire, black box filled turbo diesel lump.

I just find the lag and lack of urgency irritating at times. Yes, it will chew the miles without issue and return 30(ish) mpg but the ability to slip past a slower motorist in a country filled with single carriageway A & B roads is probably a deal breaker when it comes to change.......just a pity Infiniti binned the 5.0 v8 in the fx last year

Haven't had a chance to stretch the S8's legs yet but I'm looking forward to a good run up the Glenshane pass to blow the cobwebs out of it (and me) soon.....and maybe pass (safely) the odd slow Ulster motorist

[Johnmed]

I know what you mean exactly. My current D3 is roughly the same 0-60 as my old beloved RS Clio 172. The Clio felt like a rocket. The D3 doesn't. Partly it's because of refinement, but the lag as you pull away highlights the difference.

I think it's obvious what you need Ian.

A Tesla P100D. Simple. All that torque from 0 RPM. I know I want one.

[PsYcHe]

Originally Posted by IT

The D3 4.2 Tdi was very prompt when remapped - but - it still had the initial lag.

Somehow, they've amplified the lag on the D4. It does have 800nm from the factory, so to be honest its probably a relativity thing. Its so bloody quick when its going, that you really notice when its not

That A7 is ripe for a remap to get it moving along just a little nicer still...

I think it can be remapped easily, though I've not actually checked properly.. Lots of maps for the 333hp S4 variant of the engine, which I assume is just a different map/rev range anyway. Shark are doing 25% off in September, and it's been soooo hard not to charge in and buy a Stage 1+ map and just watch my fuel consumption figures disappear.

[IT]

Originally Posted by Johnmed

I think it's obvious what you need Ian.

A Tesla P100D. Simple. All that torque from 0 RPM. I know I want one.

Definitely wouldn't complain if one landed on my driveway, but its unlikely to happen as the Yorkshireman in me just cannot get past the RS6 topping purchase price.

And if I had C7 RS6 money lying around, I'll be honest. I think I'd have the RS6. Ok. Yes, I know I would....

Yes, the turbos are big and quite laggy, but its the one exception that I'll consider it still sporty

[IT]

Originally Posted by PsYcHe

it's been soooo hard not to charge in and buy a Stage 1+ map and just watch my fuel consumption figures disappear.

I wouldn't bank on the MPG going down. In most cases its documented to improve. I assume the remaps exchange tight emission control for more power and thus MPG....

The RS6 certainly had better MPG after its MRC stage 2, despite hitting 700 ponies and 1000nm... bonkers

[limoncello]

I think its very easy to misjudge just how fast D4's (4.2) are, the refinement makes it feel quite mediocre, but while driving completely normally not particulaly trying to fly away from the lights and not even in sport, a quick glance in the rearview reveals that the rest of the flock are miles behind.

there is a lag, much less if its in sport mode, know what you mean by the fly by wire feel but to be honest its enough for me.

im still very happy with mine, its just a great place to be and everything just works so superbly

[tc4332]

I'm happy with my D3 3.0 TDI (remapped)
Even more so after this mornings drive into Holland