Snow

[Audidothat]

Tyres aside, this second spell of snow has allowed the Quattro system to shine yet again!

I am not saying it is a LR Defender but as my household has a rear wheel drive BMW and a front wheel drive C6 Avant to draw comparisons from, Quattro really does help.

Out of interest, are the Merc 4-matic and BMW X-Drive systems mechanically the same as Audi Quattro? I'm imagining VW 4Motion is actually Quattro....?

(Just reading up on the alternate 4x4 systems now on Wiki, very interesting).

[snapdragon]

Yes, a fair few years since the last serious snow here, but yet again the Quattro shone through up some really steep untreated hills and I'm only running 4 newish summer tyres Nexen N'Fera SU1.
Easily got around zig-zagging stationary cars even when setting off from a stop after waiting for them, virtually never broke traction - manual mode 2 or 1 down the hills and the Quattro works in reverse.

Sadly not all Quattro monikered Audis have mechanical Torsen™️ (the ones that are based on Golfs etc.. use Haldex™️)
I also fear that the new models may have gone for more bogus eco type 4WD - this and the iPad interior of the D5 means no more Audis for me and I will hang on to the D3, maybe a late D4 if it dies.

Audi's High-Tech New Quattro Is About To **** Off Its Biggest Fans

[pete-p]

I don't like the sound of this "ultra" quattro. It sounds like a lot more to go wrong over a conventional mechanical Torsen. Plus:

Audi claims it saves 0.3 liters for every 100 kM when tested in Ingolstadt traffic.

I drive a V8 ffs, I don't care about a little bit of fuel economy!

[tonupkid]

Originally Posted by snapdragon

I also fear that the new models may have gone for more bogus eco type 4WD - this and the iPad interior of the D5 means no more Audis for me and I will hang on to the D3, maybe a late D4 if it dies.

Some additions to the list of irritating new Audi innovations that turn me off:

Touch screen control (have you tried using a touch screen on the move)
Pretend exhaust pipes
Pretend exhaust noises

[tintin]

Originally Posted by tonupkid

Some additions to the list of irritating new Audi innovations that turn me off:

Touch screen control (have you tried using a touch screen on the move)
Pretend exhaust pipes
Pretend exhaust noises

I couldn't agree more - simpler is better, and this sort of sh*te is one of (several) reasons why I think Audi have totally lost the plot and fallen a long way from their old abilities to truly innovate - they seem more concerned with marketing and superficial stuff these days.

[Conquistador]

Originally Posted by tonupkid

Some additions to the list of irritating new Audi innovations that turn me off:

Touch screen control (have you tried using a touch screen on the move) *agreed*
Pretend exhaust pipes *agreed*
Pretend exhaust noises *agreed*

Far from a pretend exhaust sound, but on the D3 S8 we do have a 'soundpipe' packed with foam that boosts the induction sound from the engine.

[Dezzy]

Originally Posted by Conquistador

Far from a pretend exhaust sound, but on the D3 S8 we do have a 'soundpipe' packed with foam that boosts the induction sound from the engine.

Induction noise should speak for its self. Soon to be a thing of the past anyway.
Unless someone installs a system that plays 1980's induction noises through the speakers. Maybe via ACS, Audi Car Sound download centre, where you can pay far too much for the sound of the car you'd like. Maybe that's what all the mechanics and exhaust centres will diversify into when they have no engines, gearboxes or exhausts to repair.

[Conquistador]

Originally Posted by Audidothat

Out of interest, are the Merc 4-matic and BMW X-Drive systems mechanically the same as Audi Quattro? I'm imagining VW 4Motion is actually Quattro....?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_1fCUONZHo