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New R32 vs. A3 S-line
Well I could give a crap about starbucks or texting. When I'm driving, I'm
focused on driving.
OTOH, I don't know that the fun or preference associated with a manual has
so much to do with a clutch.
I dislike the power loss associated with a true (torque converter, planetary
gear set) automatic.
And I dislike the fact that the engine revs can vary widely depending on
throttle position while in a given gear with a true automatic.
And, most of all, I dislike the fact that a true automatic is rarely in the
gear that I want for spirited driving. (Not having driven any recent
automatic that are supposed to be much better in that regard.)
Personally I think a manual is all about being in the gear you want at the
revs you want when you want without unnecessary powertrain loss.
Being good at engaging the clutch for smooth shifts and being able to match
revs while downshifting are admirable skills (how many people on the list
routinely heel and toe?), but when all is said and done, baring reliability
issues I'm thinking the DSG is the ticket.
But to each his own.
BTW, if I'm not mistaken back in the mid 80's Porsche actually did the
original development of this twin clutch gearbox in the 956 race car. They
called it the PDK for some German abomination of words and surprise surprise
it had reliability problems!
BTW2, modern Formula 1 cars are using "zero shift" transmissions now. I
don't really know how they work, but they are mechanical gearboxes (for
minimum losses which would be unacceptable in an F1 car) that have no
interuption of power to the wheels while shifting.
It's the future! A computer can manage the clutch better and faster than
99.9% of the people including racing drivers.
Dan
From: "Adam Carroll" <vr612valve@yahoo.com>
To: <Scirocco-l@scirocco.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2007 1:34 PM
Subject: Re: New R32 vs. A3 S-line
> Well I guess, for me, it all boils down to personal preference. I have
> heard nothing but excellent things about the DSG that is equipped on the
> 3.2's and 2.0t's. It even has a launch control setting. wow. I must be old
> fashioned. I'm just not always looking for that perfect 0-60, or quarter
> mile, or even an aggressive apex exit whilst sipping my starbucks and
> texting my girlfriend at the same time. I love using my left foot during
> driving, and not just for both-feet braking. The clutch pedal is just too
> much fun, and yes I'm sure the paddle shifting on the DSG is incredible
> fun...but I just don't think it would have the lasting funfactor replay
> value that the traditional manual has always delivered. IMO of course. I
> guess I'm a creature of habit in this area.
>
> -aDam
>
> Dan Bubb <jdbubb@verizon.net> wrote:
> Why would anybody want a conventional manual as opposed to the DSG?
> It'll shift automatically if you want to ignore it, shift manually if you
> want to do that and although the twin clutches are wet and hydraulically
> actuated, other than that it doesn't have the power losses of a
> traditional automatic since it has no torque converter nor the typical
> planetary gear set with their associated bands or clutches.
> It shifts gears in 8ms vs. the 500ms that a typical human can manage.
> What's wrong with that?
> Dan
>
> From: "Adam Carroll"
> To:
> Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2007 11:33 AM
> Subject: Re: New R32 vs. A3 S-line
>
>
>> The Audi is nearly a half a second faster than the R32, so they say, and
>> it is a mere grand more expensive (based) so these guys say. There is
>> also rumor that the DSG is the only available transmission for the R32.
>> WEAK! No manual in a $33k Golf?!?!?!? Even though the MkV (2.0T) is the
>> best GTI since the MkII, (Automobile Mag: Car of the Year) they had
>> better release the manual to make the volks happy. Here are some stats:
>>
>> -Audi-
>>
>> The highly acclaimed 2006 Audi A3 line-up will receive a formidable
>> addition in mid-November: the A3 3.2 quattroÒ S-line. Audi's premium
>> compact will now have even more sporting pretensions with a high-power V6
>> engine, quattro all-wheel drive, and aggressive exterior styling. The
>> 2006 A3 3.2 quattro S-line will be available at a base price of $33,980
>> ($44,990 in Canada). A destination charge of $720 is not included in the
>> base price.
>>
>>
>> The heart of the new A3 3.2 quattro S-line is the narrow-angle 3.2L V6
>> engine producing 250 hp at 6300 rpm and 236 ft.-lbs. of torque from
>> 2800-3200 rpm. A 6-speed Direct-Shift Gearbox transmission is standard,
>> as is Audi's legendary quattro all-wheel drive. This drivetrain propels
>> the A3 3.2 quattro S-line from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds, and through the
>> quarter-mile in 14.4 seconds.
>>
>> -VW R-
>>
>>
>> Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced the return of its
>> motorsports-inspired R32 at the Chicago Auto Show. First introduced in
>> 2004 to an enthusiastic reception, the R32 delivers the ultimate in
>> Volkswagen sports performance with dynamic handling and refined road
>> manners.
>>
>>
>>
>> The R32's power comes from a 3.2 L naturally aspirated 15-degree narrow
>> angle V6 engine. With 250 horsepower and 236 ft. lbs. of torque, the R32
>> is all muscle. The standard 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system transfers at
>> least 75 percent of available torque to the rear wheels. Volkswagen's
>> acclaimed DSG® transmission allows for seamless gear changes and
>> accelerates from 0-60 in approximately 6.4 seconds.
>>
>> The quote about the 75% of the torque to the rear wheels is not accurate
>> at all...
>>
>> Nate Mellom wrote:
>> It was unveiled in the US for the first time at the Chicago Auto Show.
>> Of course, I was a week off, and missed it.
>> But it was there.
>>
>>
>> Chris Bennett wrote:
>>> http://www.5000r32.com/?ic_id=promo_5000r32
>>>
>>>
>>> How did the faithful miss this? Or did we? Was I sleeping?
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Scirocco-l mailing list
>>> Scirocco-l@scirocco.org
>>> http://neubayern.net/mailman/listinfo/scirocco-l
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>>
>> Nate Mellom wrote: It was unveiled in the US for the first time at the
>> Chicago Auto Show.
>> Of course, I was a week off, and missed it.
>> But it was there.
>>
>>
>> Chris Bennett wrote:
>>> http://www.5000r32.com/?ic_id=promo_5000r32
>>>
>>>
>>> How did the faithful miss this? Or did we? Was I sleeping?
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Scirocco-l mailing list
>>> Scirocco-l@scirocco.org
>>> http://neubayern.net/mailman/listinfo/scirocco-l
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
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>>
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