S3 was not designed with the autobahn in mind.

[Blaine]

Driving my 2016 Audi S3 on the autobahn for long periods of time can get annoying with the final gear ratio chosen for the S3's Tranny. Running the car at over 3k rpms at 100 MPH and well over 4k rpms at over 120 MPH isn't very efficient for a German car. Aren't these cars suppose to be German made and designed for the Autobahn with high speed long trips in mind? I realize the chosen gear ratios keep the car in the power band better, but a car should still have a good cruising final drive. I find myself slowing down and cruising at 100 MPH just so the car isn't reving so high for so long and end up getting passed by little diesel Ford Focus's.

I hope the final drive on the new 2017 S3 addressed this issue. Probably not a problem for all of you in the states with the highest speed limit in TX at 80 mph, but in Germany for long trips it can get annoying. At 80 MPH the car's rpms are fine.. seems the S3 was designed with a cruising speed of under 80 mph in mind.

[Arrested_Decay]

You honestly believe that Audi designed a car specific to a single strech of road that really only exists no where else in the world?

That would be a crazy on Audi's part.

The a3 & s3 is not a high mph long drive sort of car that would be a gt car.

A Maserati, Panamera, Big Aston, Bently GT, Big Body Benz, etc. Or in the Audi line up would be anything 5 and above.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

[Blaine]

You honestly believe that Audi designed a car specific to a single strech of road that really only exists no where else in the world?

That would be a crazy on Audi's part.

The a3 & s3 is not a high mph long drive sort of car that would be a gt car.

A Maserati, Panamera, Big Aston, Bently GT, Big Body Benz, etc. Or in the Audi line up would be anything 5 and above.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

No they aren't a GT car, but still neither are Mustang Cobras, GT500's, Corvettes, and Vipers, but they all idle at 1.2k rpms at 70 MPH in their top gear. Even my wifes minivan maintains a lower rpm at 100 MPH.. but I don't keep that there for long. Tires might fall off or something.

[Arrested_Decay]

Yes...but the gearing isn't as aggressive in those cars. The point of the s3 is to be nimble and quick on it's feet all while having a 4 cylinder in it, you do that with close gearing.

You mention a minivan...go ahead and see how long it takes to get to 100 & the s3 to 100. The s3 will be there way quicker. Sure some of that is power and lighter weight, but a huge portion is the gearing of the transmission.

Personally i think complianing about higher RPMS at the 100+ mph range is really silly as very few people will have see those speeds in a non track environment.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

[Arrested_Decay]

Also as for the gt500's and vipers they have big v8's with tons of tq and power to make up for the longer gears. So they can get up to speed based on sheer engine numbers and don't need to relay on the transmission to do a lot of heavy lifting.

Ever driven an s2000...a true track focused car it was in the 4k at 70mph on the freeway.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

[Blaine]

Yes...but the gearing isn't as aggressive in those cars. The point of the s3 is to be nimble and quick on it's feet all while having a 4 cylinder in it, you do that with close gearing.

You mention a minivan...go ahead and see how long it takes to get to 100 & the s3 to 100. The s3 will be there way quicker. Sure some of that is power and lighter weight, but a huge portion is the gearing of the transmission.

Personally i think complianing about higher RPMS at the 100+ mph range is really silly as very few people will have see those speeds in a non track environment.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

I agree, most will never have this issue or care. It won't be a problem in a couple years when I move back to the states. The S3 does move. It just hard to keep the speeds down where the rpms aren't very high.

[ChrisF1]

If you want an Autobahn cruiser, you bought the wrong car. Sell it and buy an S6.

[Blaine]

If you want an Autobahn cruiser, you bought the wrong car. Sell it and buy an S6.

I was thinking more along the lines of RS7 eventually, but I won't be buying another car until I move back to the states. I do love the S6's to. Figure in 2 years when I switch cars I am looking for something stupid fast and large. I'm torn between a Hellcat Challenger and a RS7. By then the RS7 should be attainable at well under 60k since they are as low as 78k now used, and the Hellcat at well under 50k to high 40's. I have two years to save and make a decision. Longest I've ever owned a car in 20+ years is 12 months. Its going to be a long 2 years.

[StigThe]

Driving my 2016 Audi S3 on the autobahn for long periods of time can get annoying with the final gear ratio chosen for the S3's Tranny. Running the car at over 3k rpms at 100 MPH and well over 4k rpms at over 120 MPH isn't very efficient for a German car. Aren't these cars suppose to be German made and designed for the Autobahn with high speed long trips in mind? I realize the chosen gear ratios keep the car in the power band better, but a car should still have a good cruising final drive. I find myself slowing down and cruising at 100 MPH just so the car isn't reving so high for so long and end up getting passed by little diesel Ford Focus's.

I hope the final drive on the new 2017 S3 addressed this issue. Probably not a problem for all of you in the states with the highest speed limit in TX at 80 mph, but in Germany for long trips it can get annoying. At 80 MPH the car's rpms are fine.. seems the S3 was designed with a cruising speed of under 80 mph in mind.

Went there with S3 this summer but don't really think it is deserves complaints on high rpms / fuel consumption. Despite high rpms, avg fuel consumption for us was less than a litre per 10 km.
At least according to display, how reliable or not that is :)...

Last time we went there - with a higher gear ratio car - fuel consumption was much higher.

If it is one thing I would complain on then it is rather too loose chassis+steering at the curvy parts (e.g. around Kassels).
Had chassis and stearing in auto mode though. Next time I will definitely put it in dynamic.

[StigThe]

Also, Autobahn being the only place I have ever felt that need :d, the acc max limit at 150 km/h really sucks...

[LINDW4LL]

The F80 M3 only does about 110mph @ 4000rpm. I get that over the past few years the very low 7th gear (overdrive) has become more common/popular and is very nice for low RPM high speed cruising, but the gearing you describe is not uncommon for a 6 speed performance car.

I don't think there's any need to be concerned about the engine sitting at 4xxx RPM.

[StigThe]

The F80 M3 only does about 110mph @ 4000rpm. I get that over the past few years the very low 7th gear (overdrive) has become more common/popular and is very nice for low RPM high speed cruising, but the gearing you describe is not uncommon for a 6 speed performance car.

I don't think there's any need to be concerned about the engine sitting at 4xxx RPM.

Yes, don't understand why the rpm in itself is a problem. Assumed OP implicitly meant the effects on fuel consumption (?), but must say it is actually good for a 300hp car...

Also when on the topic, must say I was a bit unfair just complaining on the ACC above. Tbh a large part of the time on Autobahn concists of traffic queues and stand stills. The ACC is a god sent gift in those situations!

[SnowyLCR]

I am guessing now, but the s3 and golf R most likely have the same gearing.
Whats interesting is the Golf GTI. The gearing in the GTI are much more suitable for high-speed cruises. Almost 500rpm less than the R. How come? Thats a car with a lesser output. The gearing between R and GTI should have been reversed to adress the smaller output in the gti.