Audi Tiptronic gearboxes
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Audi Tiptronic gearboxes
Hi all,
I'm considering buying a used A4 3.0 Quattro Sport Tiptronic but notice
on the Parkers website (www.parkers.co.uk) that the 0-60 time of the
tiptronic model is considerably slower (1.4 seconds) than that of the
manual. Is this correct? Is the tiptronic gearbox really that slow?
The multitronic gearboxes used on the 1.8T models seem to be quicker
than the manuals. What is the difference between the multitronic and the
tiptronic?
Regards
Gareth
I'm considering buying a used A4 3.0 Quattro Sport Tiptronic but notice
on the Parkers website (www.parkers.co.uk) that the 0-60 time of the
tiptronic model is considerably slower (1.4 seconds) than that of the
manual. Is this correct? Is the tiptronic gearbox really that slow?
The multitronic gearboxes used on the 1.8T models seem to be quicker
than the manuals. What is the difference between the multitronic and the
tiptronic?
Regards
Gareth
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Audi Tiptronic gearboxes
"Gareth Jayne" <gaz@heeheehee.co.uk> wrote in message
news:4eh3lpF1eifqfU1@individual.net...
> Hi all,
>
> I'm considering buying a used A4 3.0 Quattro Sport Tiptronic but notice on
> the Parkers website (www.parkers.co.uk) that the 0-60 time of the
> tiptronic model is considerably slower (1.4 seconds) than that of the
> manual. Is this correct? Is the tiptronic gearbox really that slow?
>
> The multitronic gearboxes used on the 1.8T models seem to be quicker than
> the manuals. What is the difference between the multitronic and the
> tiptronic?
>
The Tiptronic is not a true manual gearbox.
The best way to describe it is an automatic
with a very high degree of gear affinity. In
other words it stays in whatever gear it is
put in for as long as the mechanical safety
envelope is not violated. It will however
downshift or upshit by itself if the engine
revs too high or too low for the gear that
is engaged.
dk
news:4eh3lpF1eifqfU1@individual.net...
> Hi all,
>
> I'm considering buying a used A4 3.0 Quattro Sport Tiptronic but notice on
> the Parkers website (www.parkers.co.uk) that the 0-60 time of the
> tiptronic model is considerably slower (1.4 seconds) than that of the
> manual. Is this correct? Is the tiptronic gearbox really that slow?
>
> The multitronic gearboxes used on the 1.8T models seem to be quicker than
> the manuals. What is the difference between the multitronic and the
> tiptronic?
>
The Tiptronic is not a true manual gearbox.
The best way to describe it is an automatic
with a very high degree of gear affinity. In
other words it stays in whatever gear it is
put in for as long as the mechanical safety
envelope is not violated. It will however
downshift or upshit by itself if the engine
revs too high or too low for the gear that
is engaged.
dk
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Audi Tiptronic gearboxes
"Gareth Jayne" <gaz@heeheehee.co.uk> wrote in message
news:4eh3lpF1eifqfU1@individual.net...
> Hi all,
>
> I'm considering buying a used A4 3.0 Quattro Sport Tiptronic but notice on
> the Parkers website (www.parkers.co.uk) that the 0-60 time of the
> tiptronic model is considerably slower (1.4 seconds) than that of the
> manual. Is this correct? Is the tiptronic gearbox really that slow?
>
> The multitronic gearboxes used on the 1.8T models seem to be quicker than
> the manuals. What is the difference between the multitronic and the
> tiptronic?
>
The Tiptronic is not a true manual gearbox.
The best way to describe it is an automatic
with a very high degree of gear affinity. In
other words it stays in whatever gear it is
put in for as long as the mechanical safety
envelope is not violated. It will however
downshift or upshit by itself if the engine
revs too high or too low for the gear that
is engaged.
dk
news:4eh3lpF1eifqfU1@individual.net...
> Hi all,
>
> I'm considering buying a used A4 3.0 Quattro Sport Tiptronic but notice on
> the Parkers website (www.parkers.co.uk) that the 0-60 time of the
> tiptronic model is considerably slower (1.4 seconds) than that of the
> manual. Is this correct? Is the tiptronic gearbox really that slow?
>
> The multitronic gearboxes used on the 1.8T models seem to be quicker than
> the manuals. What is the difference between the multitronic and the
> tiptronic?
>
The Tiptronic is not a true manual gearbox.
The best way to describe it is an automatic
with a very high degree of gear affinity. In
other words it stays in whatever gear it is
put in for as long as the mechanical safety
envelope is not violated. It will however
downshift or upshit by itself if the engine
revs too high or too low for the gear that
is engaged.
dk
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Audi Tiptronic gearboxes
"Gareth Jayne" <gaz@heeheehee.co.uk> wrote in message
news:4eh3lpF1eifqfU1@individual.net...
> Hi all,
>
> I'm considering buying a used A4 3.0 Quattro Sport Tiptronic but notice on
> the Parkers website (www.parkers.co.uk) that the 0-60 time of the
> tiptronic model is considerably slower (1.4 seconds) than that of the
> manual. Is this correct? Is the tiptronic gearbox really that slow?
>
> The multitronic gearboxes used on the 1.8T models seem to be quicker than
> the manuals. What is the difference between the multitronic and the
> tiptronic?
>
The Tiptronic is not a true manual gearbox.
The best way to describe it is an automatic
with a very high degree of gear affinity. In
other words it stays in whatever gear it is
put in for as long as the mechanical safety
envelope is not violated. It will however
downshift or upshit by itself if the engine
revs too high or too low for the gear that
is engaged.
dk
news:4eh3lpF1eifqfU1@individual.net...
> Hi all,
>
> I'm considering buying a used A4 3.0 Quattro Sport Tiptronic but notice on
> the Parkers website (www.parkers.co.uk) that the 0-60 time of the
> tiptronic model is considerably slower (1.4 seconds) than that of the
> manual. Is this correct? Is the tiptronic gearbox really that slow?
>
> The multitronic gearboxes used on the 1.8T models seem to be quicker than
> the manuals. What is the difference between the multitronic and the
> tiptronic?
>
The Tiptronic is not a true manual gearbox.
The best way to describe it is an automatic
with a very high degree of gear affinity. In
other words it stays in whatever gear it is
put in for as long as the mechanical safety
envelope is not violated. It will however
downshift or upshit by itself if the engine
revs too high or too low for the gear that
is engaged.
dk
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Audi Tiptronic gearboxes
"Gareth Jayne" <gaz@heeheehee.co.uk> wrote in message
news:4eh3lpF1eifqfU1@individual.net...
> Hi all,
>
> I'm considering buying a used A4 3.0 Quattro Sport Tiptronic but notice on
> the Parkers website (www.parkers.co.uk) that the 0-60 time of the
> tiptronic model is considerably slower (1.4 seconds) than that of the
> manual. Is this correct? Is the tiptronic gearbox really that slow?
>
> The multitronic gearboxes used on the 1.8T models seem to be quicker than
> the manuals. What is the difference between the multitronic and the
> tiptronic?
>
The Tiptronic is not a true manual gearbox.
The best way to describe it is an automatic
with a very high degree of gear affinity. In
other words it stays in whatever gear it is
put in for as long as the mechanical safety
envelope is not violated. It will however
downshift or upshit by itself if the engine
revs too high or too low for the gear that
is engaged.
dk
news:4eh3lpF1eifqfU1@individual.net...
> Hi all,
>
> I'm considering buying a used A4 3.0 Quattro Sport Tiptronic but notice on
> the Parkers website (www.parkers.co.uk) that the 0-60 time of the
> tiptronic model is considerably slower (1.4 seconds) than that of the
> manual. Is this correct? Is the tiptronic gearbox really that slow?
>
> The multitronic gearboxes used on the 1.8T models seem to be quicker than
> the manuals. What is the difference between the multitronic and the
> tiptronic?
>
The Tiptronic is not a true manual gearbox.
The best way to describe it is an automatic
with a very high degree of gear affinity. In
other words it stays in whatever gear it is
put in for as long as the mechanical safety
envelope is not violated. It will however
downshift or upshit by itself if the engine
revs too high or too low for the gear that
is engaged.
dk
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Audi Tiptronic gearboxes
In message <44835e4a$1@news.meer.net>, Dan Koren <dankoren@yahoo.com>
writes
>"Gareth Jayne" <gaz@heeheehee.co.uk> wrote in message
>news:4eh3lpF1eifqfU1@individual.net...
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I'm considering buying a used A4 3.0 Quattro Sport Tiptronic but notice on
>> the Parkers website (www.parkers.co.uk) that the 0-60 time of the
>> tiptronic model is considerably slower (1.4 seconds) than that of the
>> manual. Is this correct? Is the tiptronic gearbox really that slow?
>>
>> The multitronic gearboxes used on the 1.8T models seem to be quicker than
>> the manuals. What is the difference between the multitronic and the
>> tiptronic?
>>
>
>
>The Tiptronic is not a true manual gearbox.
>
>The best way to describe it is an automatic
>with a very high degree of gear affinity. In
>other words it stays in whatever gear it is
>put in for as long as the mechanical safety
>envelope is not violated. It will however
>downshift or upshit by itself if the engine
>revs too high or too low for the gear that
>is engaged.
The point is that the Tiptronic gearbox has a torque converter between
the engine and the gearbox which is what leads to power loss in the
fluid through slip between the input and the output. In that sense, it
is a traditional automatic gearbox.
OTOH the Multitronic is a mechanical connection via steel belt and
variable pulleys and is more economic because drive to the wheels is
never interrupted. The Multitronic does have an electric clutch to
prevent the engine stalling whilst the car is stationary, but once
engaged there is no slip unlike a torque converter.
The DSG which is not available yet on the A4 is a different matter ....
All AIUI, of course. I'm not an engineer.
--
David Nesbitt
N.B. Email sent to "nospam" will be rejected. Please use Reply-To address.
writes
>"Gareth Jayne" <gaz@heeheehee.co.uk> wrote in message
>news:4eh3lpF1eifqfU1@individual.net...
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I'm considering buying a used A4 3.0 Quattro Sport Tiptronic but notice on
>> the Parkers website (www.parkers.co.uk) that the 0-60 time of the
>> tiptronic model is considerably slower (1.4 seconds) than that of the
>> manual. Is this correct? Is the tiptronic gearbox really that slow?
>>
>> The multitronic gearboxes used on the 1.8T models seem to be quicker than
>> the manuals. What is the difference between the multitronic and the
>> tiptronic?
>>
>
>
>The Tiptronic is not a true manual gearbox.
>
>The best way to describe it is an automatic
>with a very high degree of gear affinity. In
>other words it stays in whatever gear it is
>put in for as long as the mechanical safety
>envelope is not violated. It will however
>downshift or upshit by itself if the engine
>revs too high or too low for the gear that
>is engaged.
The point is that the Tiptronic gearbox has a torque converter between
the engine and the gearbox which is what leads to power loss in the
fluid through slip between the input and the output. In that sense, it
is a traditional automatic gearbox.
OTOH the Multitronic is a mechanical connection via steel belt and
variable pulleys and is more economic because drive to the wheels is
never interrupted. The Multitronic does have an electric clutch to
prevent the engine stalling whilst the car is stationary, but once
engaged there is no slip unlike a torque converter.
The DSG which is not available yet on the A4 is a different matter ....
All AIUI, of course. I'm not an engineer.
--
David Nesbitt
N.B. Email sent to "nospam" will be rejected. Please use Reply-To address.
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Audi Tiptronic gearboxes
In message <44835e4a$1@news.meer.net>, Dan Koren <dankoren@yahoo.com>
writes
>"Gareth Jayne" <gaz@heeheehee.co.uk> wrote in message
>news:4eh3lpF1eifqfU1@individual.net...
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I'm considering buying a used A4 3.0 Quattro Sport Tiptronic but notice on
>> the Parkers website (www.parkers.co.uk) that the 0-60 time of the
>> tiptronic model is considerably slower (1.4 seconds) than that of the
>> manual. Is this correct? Is the tiptronic gearbox really that slow?
>>
>> The multitronic gearboxes used on the 1.8T models seem to be quicker than
>> the manuals. What is the difference between the multitronic and the
>> tiptronic?
>>
>
>
>The Tiptronic is not a true manual gearbox.
>
>The best way to describe it is an automatic
>with a very high degree of gear affinity. In
>other words it stays in whatever gear it is
>put in for as long as the mechanical safety
>envelope is not violated. It will however
>downshift or upshit by itself if the engine
>revs too high or too low for the gear that
>is engaged.
The point is that the Tiptronic gearbox has a torque converter between
the engine and the gearbox which is what leads to power loss in the
fluid through slip between the input and the output. In that sense, it
is a traditional automatic gearbox.
OTOH the Multitronic is a mechanical connection via steel belt and
variable pulleys and is more economic because drive to the wheels is
never interrupted. The Multitronic does have an electric clutch to
prevent the engine stalling whilst the car is stationary, but once
engaged there is no slip unlike a torque converter.
The DSG which is not available yet on the A4 is a different matter ....
All AIUI, of course. I'm not an engineer.
--
David Nesbitt
N.B. Email sent to "nospam" will be rejected. Please use Reply-To address.
writes
>"Gareth Jayne" <gaz@heeheehee.co.uk> wrote in message
>news:4eh3lpF1eifqfU1@individual.net...
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I'm considering buying a used A4 3.0 Quattro Sport Tiptronic but notice on
>> the Parkers website (www.parkers.co.uk) that the 0-60 time of the
>> tiptronic model is considerably slower (1.4 seconds) than that of the
>> manual. Is this correct? Is the tiptronic gearbox really that slow?
>>
>> The multitronic gearboxes used on the 1.8T models seem to be quicker than
>> the manuals. What is the difference between the multitronic and the
>> tiptronic?
>>
>
>
>The Tiptronic is not a true manual gearbox.
>
>The best way to describe it is an automatic
>with a very high degree of gear affinity. In
>other words it stays in whatever gear it is
>put in for as long as the mechanical safety
>envelope is not violated. It will however
>downshift or upshit by itself if the engine
>revs too high or too low for the gear that
>is engaged.
The point is that the Tiptronic gearbox has a torque converter between
the engine and the gearbox which is what leads to power loss in the
fluid through slip between the input and the output. In that sense, it
is a traditional automatic gearbox.
OTOH the Multitronic is a mechanical connection via steel belt and
variable pulleys and is more economic because drive to the wheels is
never interrupted. The Multitronic does have an electric clutch to
prevent the engine stalling whilst the car is stationary, but once
engaged there is no slip unlike a torque converter.
The DSG which is not available yet on the A4 is a different matter ....
All AIUI, of course. I'm not an engineer.
--
David Nesbitt
N.B. Email sent to "nospam" will be rejected. Please use Reply-To address.
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Audi Tiptronic gearboxes
In message <44835e4a$1@news.meer.net>, Dan Koren <dankoren@yahoo.com>
writes
>"Gareth Jayne" <gaz@heeheehee.co.uk> wrote in message
>news:4eh3lpF1eifqfU1@individual.net...
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I'm considering buying a used A4 3.0 Quattro Sport Tiptronic but notice on
>> the Parkers website (www.parkers.co.uk) that the 0-60 time of the
>> tiptronic model is considerably slower (1.4 seconds) than that of the
>> manual. Is this correct? Is the tiptronic gearbox really that slow?
>>
>> The multitronic gearboxes used on the 1.8T models seem to be quicker than
>> the manuals. What is the difference between the multitronic and the
>> tiptronic?
>>
>
>
>The Tiptronic is not a true manual gearbox.
>
>The best way to describe it is an automatic
>with a very high degree of gear affinity. In
>other words it stays in whatever gear it is
>put in for as long as the mechanical safety
>envelope is not violated. It will however
>downshift or upshit by itself if the engine
>revs too high or too low for the gear that
>is engaged.
The point is that the Tiptronic gearbox has a torque converter between
the engine and the gearbox which is what leads to power loss in the
fluid through slip between the input and the output. In that sense, it
is a traditional automatic gearbox.
OTOH the Multitronic is a mechanical connection via steel belt and
variable pulleys and is more economic because drive to the wheels is
never interrupted. The Multitronic does have an electric clutch to
prevent the engine stalling whilst the car is stationary, but once
engaged there is no slip unlike a torque converter.
The DSG which is not available yet on the A4 is a different matter ....
All AIUI, of course. I'm not an engineer.
--
David Nesbitt
N.B. Email sent to "nospam" will be rejected. Please use Reply-To address.
writes
>"Gareth Jayne" <gaz@heeheehee.co.uk> wrote in message
>news:4eh3lpF1eifqfU1@individual.net...
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I'm considering buying a used A4 3.0 Quattro Sport Tiptronic but notice on
>> the Parkers website (www.parkers.co.uk) that the 0-60 time of the
>> tiptronic model is considerably slower (1.4 seconds) than that of the
>> manual. Is this correct? Is the tiptronic gearbox really that slow?
>>
>> The multitronic gearboxes used on the 1.8T models seem to be quicker than
>> the manuals. What is the difference between the multitronic and the
>> tiptronic?
>>
>
>
>The Tiptronic is not a true manual gearbox.
>
>The best way to describe it is an automatic
>with a very high degree of gear affinity. In
>other words it stays in whatever gear it is
>put in for as long as the mechanical safety
>envelope is not violated. It will however
>downshift or upshit by itself if the engine
>revs too high or too low for the gear that
>is engaged.
The point is that the Tiptronic gearbox has a torque converter between
the engine and the gearbox which is what leads to power loss in the
fluid through slip between the input and the output. In that sense, it
is a traditional automatic gearbox.
OTOH the Multitronic is a mechanical connection via steel belt and
variable pulleys and is more economic because drive to the wheels is
never interrupted. The Multitronic does have an electric clutch to
prevent the engine stalling whilst the car is stationary, but once
engaged there is no slip unlike a torque converter.
The DSG which is not available yet on the A4 is a different matter ....
All AIUI, of course. I'm not an engineer.
--
David Nesbitt
N.B. Email sent to "nospam" will be rejected. Please use Reply-To address.
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Audi Tiptronic gearboxes
In message <44835e4a$1@news.meer.net>, Dan Koren <dankoren@yahoo.com>
writes
>"Gareth Jayne" <gaz@heeheehee.co.uk> wrote in message
>news:4eh3lpF1eifqfU1@individual.net...
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I'm considering buying a used A4 3.0 Quattro Sport Tiptronic but notice on
>> the Parkers website (www.parkers.co.uk) that the 0-60 time of the
>> tiptronic model is considerably slower (1.4 seconds) than that of the
>> manual. Is this correct? Is the tiptronic gearbox really that slow?
>>
>> The multitronic gearboxes used on the 1.8T models seem to be quicker than
>> the manuals. What is the difference between the multitronic and the
>> tiptronic?
>>
>
>
>The Tiptronic is not a true manual gearbox.
>
>The best way to describe it is an automatic
>with a very high degree of gear affinity. In
>other words it stays in whatever gear it is
>put in for as long as the mechanical safety
>envelope is not violated. It will however
>downshift or upshit by itself if the engine
>revs too high or too low for the gear that
>is engaged.
The point is that the Tiptronic gearbox has a torque converter between
the engine and the gearbox which is what leads to power loss in the
fluid through slip between the input and the output. In that sense, it
is a traditional automatic gearbox.
OTOH the Multitronic is a mechanical connection via steel belt and
variable pulleys and is more economic because drive to the wheels is
never interrupted. The Multitronic does have an electric clutch to
prevent the engine stalling whilst the car is stationary, but once
engaged there is no slip unlike a torque converter.
The DSG which is not available yet on the A4 is a different matter ....
All AIUI, of course. I'm not an engineer.
--
David Nesbitt
N.B. Email sent to "nospam" will be rejected. Please use Reply-To address.
writes
>"Gareth Jayne" <gaz@heeheehee.co.uk> wrote in message
>news:4eh3lpF1eifqfU1@individual.net...
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I'm considering buying a used A4 3.0 Quattro Sport Tiptronic but notice on
>> the Parkers website (www.parkers.co.uk) that the 0-60 time of the
>> tiptronic model is considerably slower (1.4 seconds) than that of the
>> manual. Is this correct? Is the tiptronic gearbox really that slow?
>>
>> The multitronic gearboxes used on the 1.8T models seem to be quicker than
>> the manuals. What is the difference between the multitronic and the
>> tiptronic?
>>
>
>
>The Tiptronic is not a true manual gearbox.
>
>The best way to describe it is an automatic
>with a very high degree of gear affinity. In
>other words it stays in whatever gear it is
>put in for as long as the mechanical safety
>envelope is not violated. It will however
>downshift or upshit by itself if the engine
>revs too high or too low for the gear that
>is engaged.
The point is that the Tiptronic gearbox has a torque converter between
the engine and the gearbox which is what leads to power loss in the
fluid through slip between the input and the output. In that sense, it
is a traditional automatic gearbox.
OTOH the Multitronic is a mechanical connection via steel belt and
variable pulleys and is more economic because drive to the wheels is
never interrupted. The Multitronic does have an electric clutch to
prevent the engine stalling whilst the car is stationary, but once
engaged there is no slip unlike a torque converter.
The DSG which is not available yet on the A4 is a different matter ....
All AIUI, of course. I'm not an engineer.
--
David Nesbitt
N.B. Email sent to "nospam" will be rejected. Please use Reply-To address.
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Audi Tiptronic gearboxes
In message <q31DLkBEz9gEFwdM@charlecote.org.uk>
David Nesbitt <nospam@charlecote.org.uk> wrote:
> In message <44835e4a$1@news.meer.net>, Dan Koren <dankoren@yahoo.com>
> writes
> >"Gareth Jayne" <gaz@heeheehee.co.uk> wrote in message
> >news:4eh3lpF1eifqfU1@individual.net...
> >> I'm considering buying a used A4 3.0 Quattro Sport Tiptronic but notice on
> >> the Parkers website (www.parkers.co.uk) that the 0-60 time of the
> >> tiptronic model is considerably slower (1.4 seconds) than that of the
> >> manual. Is this correct? Is the tiptronic gearbox really that slow?
> >>
> >> The multitronic gearboxes used on the 1.8T models seem to be quicker than
> >> the manuals. What is the difference between the multitronic and the
> >> tiptronic?
> >>
> >
> >
> >The Tiptronic is not a true manual gearbox.
[Snip]
> The point is that the Tiptronic gearbox has a torque converter between
> the engine and the gearbox which is what leads to power loss in the
> fluid through slip between the input and the output. In that sense, it
> is a traditional automatic gearbox.
Indeed - it is alway better to think of the Tiptronic as a conventional
epicyclic gearbox, with torque convertor, but allowing a certain degree
of driver control over the gear changes.
> OTOH the Multitronic is a mechanical connection via steel belt and
> variable pulleys and is more economic because drive to the wheels is
> never interrupted. The Multitronic does have an electric clutch to
> prevent the engine stalling whilst the car is stationary, but once
> engaged there is no slip unlike a torque converter.
The Multitronic is a 'Continuously Variable Transmission' (CVT) which,
in its natural mode, will attempt to hold the engine revs constant,
irrespective of roadspeed. This gives a peculiar sensation because road
speed varies with no change in sound from the engine. Because this can
be unnerving, Audi have provided an alternative mode of control where
certain 'ratios' can be chosen by the driver, giving a more conventional
feel. This gearbox is (at the moment?) not compatible with the quattro
drive line so quattros are currently built with Tiptronic, and fwd are
built with multitronic.
One thing to be aware of with multitronic is that there can be a
considerable delay between pressing the accelerator pedal and clutch
engagement - I find this particularly disconcerting when trying to pull
onto a busy roundabout. I don't know whether quoted performance figures
start timing from the accelerator movement, or from the point where the
car starts to move!
When comparing 0-60 times for manual and automatic cars, it is always
worth remembering that in order to achieve the best 0-60 times with a
manual the driver needs to be quite brutal with the gearbox and clutch -
in a manner that most owners are unlikely to repeat on a regular basis.
Performance figures for an automatic gearbox are much less brutal and
more easily reproducible. I suspect that, in the real world, there is
not a great deal of difference in everday performance between manual and
automatic.
Of course, some engines are more suited to an automatic gearbox than
others - the 4.2 turbo in my RS6, for instance!
> The DSG which is not available yet on the A4 is a different matter ....
Indeed - DSG is only available in transverse-engined Audis, at present.
--
Peter Bell (Note Spamtrap - To reply, replace 'invalid' with 'bellfamily')
David Nesbitt <nospam@charlecote.org.uk> wrote:
> In message <44835e4a$1@news.meer.net>, Dan Koren <dankoren@yahoo.com>
> writes
> >"Gareth Jayne" <gaz@heeheehee.co.uk> wrote in message
> >news:4eh3lpF1eifqfU1@individual.net...
> >> I'm considering buying a used A4 3.0 Quattro Sport Tiptronic but notice on
> >> the Parkers website (www.parkers.co.uk) that the 0-60 time of the
> >> tiptronic model is considerably slower (1.4 seconds) than that of the
> >> manual. Is this correct? Is the tiptronic gearbox really that slow?
> >>
> >> The multitronic gearboxes used on the 1.8T models seem to be quicker than
> >> the manuals. What is the difference between the multitronic and the
> >> tiptronic?
> >>
> >
> >
> >The Tiptronic is not a true manual gearbox.
[Snip]
> The point is that the Tiptronic gearbox has a torque converter between
> the engine and the gearbox which is what leads to power loss in the
> fluid through slip between the input and the output. In that sense, it
> is a traditional automatic gearbox.
Indeed - it is alway better to think of the Tiptronic as a conventional
epicyclic gearbox, with torque convertor, but allowing a certain degree
of driver control over the gear changes.
> OTOH the Multitronic is a mechanical connection via steel belt and
> variable pulleys and is more economic because drive to the wheels is
> never interrupted. The Multitronic does have an electric clutch to
> prevent the engine stalling whilst the car is stationary, but once
> engaged there is no slip unlike a torque converter.
The Multitronic is a 'Continuously Variable Transmission' (CVT) which,
in its natural mode, will attempt to hold the engine revs constant,
irrespective of roadspeed. This gives a peculiar sensation because road
speed varies with no change in sound from the engine. Because this can
be unnerving, Audi have provided an alternative mode of control where
certain 'ratios' can be chosen by the driver, giving a more conventional
feel. This gearbox is (at the moment?) not compatible with the quattro
drive line so quattros are currently built with Tiptronic, and fwd are
built with multitronic.
One thing to be aware of with multitronic is that there can be a
considerable delay between pressing the accelerator pedal and clutch
engagement - I find this particularly disconcerting when trying to pull
onto a busy roundabout. I don't know whether quoted performance figures
start timing from the accelerator movement, or from the point where the
car starts to move!
When comparing 0-60 times for manual and automatic cars, it is always
worth remembering that in order to achieve the best 0-60 times with a
manual the driver needs to be quite brutal with the gearbox and clutch -
in a manner that most owners are unlikely to repeat on a regular basis.
Performance figures for an automatic gearbox are much less brutal and
more easily reproducible. I suspect that, in the real world, there is
not a great deal of difference in everday performance between manual and
automatic.
Of course, some engines are more suited to an automatic gearbox than
others - the 4.2 turbo in my RS6, for instance!
> The DSG which is not available yet on the A4 is a different matter ....
Indeed - DSG is only available in transverse-engined Audis, at present.
--
Peter Bell (Note Spamtrap - To reply, replace 'invalid' with 'bellfamily')