Auto vs Stick

[cloaked]

Can someone shed some light on why in this car a turbo stick is faster than a Auto in a straight line such as the 1320, it seems only logical that the auto would be faster for the following; you never lose boost, you just keep the throttle wide open this seems simple enough. The stick drops boost pressure every time you lift, engage the clutch and shift up a gear. I can't see many people if any shifting without boost drop. There is a factor that I didn't consider and that is weight what is the difference if any between the auto and stick B-6 A4.

[B6JoeA4]

i think the ratios are different and i bet it takes longer for the auto to shift that it does a skilled stick driver. another thing: weight

[ryannorthcott]

well the auto still has to shift, so a skilled stick shift driver can make his shifts take about as much time as the auto...

a CVT on the other hand would be faster because the engine does not shift at all

[Trev]

Auto's cant launch

[setay]

autos in bone stock cars are built for reliabilty, not to be racing with. but with manuals you can push the car harder since you're in complete control of the drivetrain (either on or off). autos are designed to bring power on gradually, even S4 / RS4's are like that. i just went for a ride in an auto rs6 and even that is a little laggy and takes a while to get going. but once the auto gets tweaked, that manual will start losing its advantage.

[ryannorthcott]

yeah the big thing about a stick shift is the control you have over the engine speed. you can downshift and accelerate hard in no time at all whereas with an auto you would just floor it and it would clunk down after a while before taking off

[El_Chapusca]

I luv my stick.....B6.

[biketsai]

Mainly the drive train loss and the additional weight is what makes the difference.

[B6JoeA4]

look at this:
A4 3.0 quattro Tiptronic 0-60: 6.9sec
A4 3.0 quattro 6 speed 0-60: 6.0 sec

thats almost a whole second!

[A4A4A4]

autos are designed to bring power on gradually, even S4 / RS4's are like that.

Auto RS4's?

[EUROaleksey]

i dont know how ppl can bare drivin auto's unless its an suv or like a fancy luxury sedan like a8 or bmw 7 series..

[AudiA4Turbo22]

autos can't launch unless the t/c is a high stall. Now drivetrain loss is another story. But remember one thing an auto will never mis-shift, will never be inconsistent, will downshift really really quick unless u drive a pre 1990s car, and will always be in the right gear.

[AudiA4Turbo22]

i dont know how ppl can bare drivin auto's unless its an suv or like a fancy luxury sedan like a8 or bmw 7 series..

in traffic i can relax rather than going 1st 2nd 3rd 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd........


i can go up a hill without having to shift at all times, passing isnt a production(unfortunately), i can stop and go on hills no problem, and i can raise my hands up in the air and shake them like i just don't care lol

[setay]

Auto RS4's?

i dont know what you're saying, or asking...

[Pothole]

don't you lose like 10 hp through the torque converter also?

[AudiA4Turbo22]

i dont know what you're saying, or asking...

there were no auto RS4's B7 wise maybe B5 but not B7

[AudiA4Turbo22]

Remember though guys for example a mercedes SL65 AMG with its 5 speed auto will perform better than a manual. The laser fast shifts and perfect launching ability are fantastic.

[J-jizzle]

Can someone shed some light on why in this car a turbo stick is faster than a Auto in a straight line such as the 1320, it seems only logical that the auto would be faster for the following; you never lose boost, you just keep the throttle wide open this seems simple enough.

This is true for the Pontiac Solstice Turbo though. The auto version is faster in a straight line for just those reasons. I'm to lazy to look it up the time difference though. I saw it a while back on, I think on Auto Week.

[A6.S-line]

Remember though guys for example a mercedes SL65 AMG with its 5 speed auto will perform better than a manual. The laser fast shifts and perfect launching ability are fantastic.

That is a poor example as the SL65 was never offered in stick. Something like a 911 Turbo might illustrate your point better

[A4A4A4]

i dont know what you're saying, or asking...

There is no such thing as an auto RS4.

[cloaked]

look at this:
A4 3.0 quattro Tiptronic 0-60: 6.9sec
A4 3.0 quattro 6 speed 0-60: 6.0 sec

thats almost a whole second!

I was only speaking in terms of turbo powered car, although you may be able to shift fast you still have to left off the gas and boost does drop whereas this doesn't happen on a auto you just keep your foot on the gas and the boost should drop.

[setay]

well audia4turbo22 just cleared up that there were no b7 RS4 autos, i didnt know that. but like i said before i rode in an auto b6 RS6, i dont see why they wouldn't have an auto b6 RS4 as well. i could be wrong, i was just assuming that was a given.

[EUROaleksey]

in traffic i can relax rather than going 1st 2nd 3rd 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd........

- wussiee

i can go up a hill without having to shift at all times

- wussieee...

i can stop and go on hills no problem

- wussieee.....!!!

and i can raise my hands up in the air and shake them like i just don't care lol.............

- damn!..... good point... auto FTW

[downhillracer]

the drivetrain loss is much greater through a auto trans. that is the main reason

[cloaked]

the drivetrain loss is much greater through a auto trans. that is the main reason

If that's the reason it would make sense but It doesn't make sense as to why they would do such a stupid thing, I mean as far back as the Nissan's 300Z the turbo auto was quick so they just lowered the boost. My "S60R" auto was faster than a stick in a straight line for the reasons I stated earlier in the post.
I wonder if I could change gear ratios to make up the difference, just kidding it's quick enough now for my "DD".

[AudiA4Turbo22]

That is a poor example as the SL65 was never offered in stick. Something like a 911 Turbo might illustrate your point better

trust me dude i know lol they were never offered in a manual for THAT reason, the auto can do a much better job.

[ryannorthcott]

when it comes down to it there's nothing like a good old fashion clutch and stick, none of that DSG, m button, launching ability, paddle shifting BS.

i agree that for an A8/Q7 i would prefer an automatic for cruising around effortlessly, but for a sportier car, manual transmission hands down every time. i know the new merc can probably shift faster than any human but it's just the ability to control a manual transmission car that does it for me and the all around experience of being more involved

[Audi-ence]

With all the in car entertainment.... stereo, nav., dvd, cell phone, passengers, smokes, etc. etc. etc....these are just a few things I could think of that the free hand comes in useful for.......though sometimes I just need one finger.

I drove manuals all my life, I like to relax as much as I can while I'm driving.....you would too if you had to drive in Hongcouver B.C. er sorry I meant...Vancouver B.C.

[Howard Hughes]

The auto-trans is built for smooth shifting not putting power to the ground... I know I'm not making nearly as much power to the wheels as manual..

[adam_a4]

Autos are for wimps

"worlds" fastest 6 speed manual trans title goes back and forth between a Toyota Supra and a Viper, I believe the viper is still the faster one. This guy can shift...

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/W...eed-A_1543.htm

[demea]

I'm hoping all these expert opinions on Automatic vs. manual transmissions are for the 1.8T engine only because the OP specifically mentioned the 1320 (1/4 mile) and there is no arguement in the quarter mile against Automatics. Maybe with the 1.8T the stick is better, but in general automatics are the ONLY choice for the quarter mile.

[b6onboost]

Main factors:

1. Weight...auto weights more.
2. Drivetrain loss...auto puts less power to the wheels
3. Launch...you can't dump the clutch and launch an auto at 4000rpm
4. Ratios...minor, but gearing can affect times

Plus, Autos do drop boost between shifts and are not necessarily quicker shifting than a manual with a good driver.

[b6onboost]

That's only for consistency. Say you have a 10.5 sec car with an auto and a transbrake...anyone can basically launch on the transbrake and run that car down the track in 10.5. If you drag race a manual and slightly miss a shift...your run is garbage. Autos don't miss shifts. So its more for consistency.

I'm hoping all these expert opinions on Automatic vs. manual transmissions are for the 1.8T engine only because the OP specifically mentioned the 1320 (1/4 mile) and there is no arguement in the quarter mile against Automatics. Maybe with the 1.8T the stick is better, but in general automatics are the ONLY choice for the quarter mile.

[KPC1.8TQuat]

What about the DSG, SMG, S-tronic, R-tronic, etc? All of these dual clutch systems are amazing, and my next car WILL have one of these if it's an available option.

Let's not forget the Ferrari F1 gearbox. Pretty sure that's the most advanced and fastest gearbox available in any road car.

[A4A4A4]

well audia4turbo22 just cleared up that there were no b7 RS4 autos, i didnt know that. but like i said before i rode in an auto b6 RS6, i dont see why they wouldn't have an auto b6 RS4 as well. i could be wrong, i was just assuming that was a given.

There's also no such thing as a b6 RS4.

[cloaked]

I'm hoping all these expert opinions on Automatic vs. manual transmissions are for the 1.8T engine only because the OP specifically mentioned the 1320 (1/4 mile) and there is no arguement in the quarter mile against Automatics. Maybe with the 1.8T the stick is better, but in general automatics are the ONLY choice for the quarter mile.

Thanks demea I was hoping someone would tell me that they actually seen a Auto vs stick run a 1320 or even a 660 but with stock or similar mods, even better would be the factory times using both transmissions. BTW couldn't you launch the auto by braking and raising the RPM's up with the gas peddle, I've seen this done several time with auto is there something preventing the Audi 1.8t from doing the same thing.

[A6.S-line]

There's also no such thing as a b6 RS4.

or a "B6 RS6"

[greg@podi.ca]

Can someone shed some light on why in this car a turbo stick is faster than a Auto in a straight line such as the 1320, it seems only logical that the auto would be faster for the following; you never lose boost, you just keep the throttle wide open this seems simple enough. The stick drops boost pressure every time you lift, engage the clutch and shift up a gear. I can't see many people if any shifting without boost drop. There is a factor that I didn't consider and that is weight what is the difference if any between the auto and stick B-6 A4.

It's called a torque converter I believe. Autos are slower because it's drawing power to keep the torque converter spinning, and then when it comes time to shift, it uses that power in the torque converter to keep the turbo spooled through the shift. It makes for a much smoother shift, which is why people get autos in the first place.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty damn sure autos are slower because they have a torque converter that is constantly drawing power from the motor (like AC does).

[A6.S-line]

trust me dude i know lol they were never offered in a manual for THAT reason, the auto can do a much better job.

They don't have a manual that can handle the 730+ torque of the SL65. So there was never a comparison that revealed "the auto can do a much better job"

Even their latest and greatest auto tranny, the 7-speed twin-clutch SpeedShift MCT offered in such new models as the SL63, cannot handle the 65's tq.

Again there are plenty of examples of a tip being as fast as or faster than its equivalent stick. The SL65 is not one of these examples, as a stick SL65 never existed - not even as a prototype AFAIK

[AudiA4Turbo22]

That's only for consistency. Say you have a 10.5 sec car with an auto and a transbrake...anyone can basically launch on the transbrake and run that car down the track in 10.5. If you drag race a manual and slightly miss a shift...your run is garbage. Autos don't miss shifts. So its more for consistency.

NOT for consistency only. Also, an auto will shift quicker, don't look at our cars, but a drag auto is like CVT status.