jont- wrote:The problem I've had with autos with it is there's no way to tell the car you're about to want power, without wanting it /now/ - eg to slip into a small gap on a roundabout.
Exactly this. With an auto it’s potentially dangerous, particularly when trying to flow onto a roundabout. With my current A6 the Stop/Start function will turn the engine off whilst still travelling at or about 5mph. Not only do you not have power to accelerate but you don’t have power steering either, which can be a bit unnerving.
I tried to explain this to the salesman but he told me that the system is now so sophisticated I won’t have a problem with it. Apparently, the car has a second battery that keeps the power steering activated and, he tells me, the re-Start is so “instantaneous” I won’t even notice it. I shall have a test drive and see what happens.
He also tells me that Audi has “improved” the Quattro system. Previously, the Quattro was set to default to a 60/40 bias towards the rear, only intervening to change that ratio if circumstances warranted. Consequently, the car has a bit of a “rear wheel drive” feel to it; which is good. Now, with the New Audi A6, the rear wheel drive part of the Quattro system disengages most of the time and then “instantly”, it’s the latest Audi buzz-word, re-engages if the system detects a need for four wheel drive. So, they’ve turned a four wheel drive car that was biased towards the rear into a “most of the time front wheel drive” car. Apparently it will increase fuel efficiency by about 1mpg.
But, as someone on the Audi forum has pointed out, the average punter isn’t interested in any of this. All he is interested in is whether or not the Quattro badge is sufficiently big enough for his neighbours be able to see it when parked on the drive.
