[carkarl]

We've put about 1200 miles on our '17 Q3. Since we're out of the main break-in period, I decided to try a wide-open throttle acceleration for the first time. I assumed "S" shifting mode would be the thing to do, but was unhappy with the results. I am wondering if others have seen the same...?

It held gears all the way to the 6200 RPM redline and my butt dyno reported that acceleration was falling off dramatically by then. My instinct was to want to shift at least 1k RPM sooner but I left it in "S" mode and just aborted my run around 50 MPH. Am I right in thinking that the turbo is wheezing by 4.5-5k RPM? I know this was the case with my older 1.8T A4, and so I never approached the redline with my manual transmission unless I was too busy to make the shift on time.

Does running it out to the redline actually give better acceleration numbers in spite of how it feels? Or is the transmission really poorly programmed for a supposed performance mode?

It's frustrating if "D" likes to bog the engine down around 1k RPM and "S" likes to over-rev. With 6 gears, why can't there be an automatic mode to keep the engine in its happy place?

 

[rnlabas]

You need to review the torque and power curves to better 'see' the actual sweet spot to shift - which IS typically where WOT shifts occur. This engine (CCTA) is basically de-tuned for our market, and peak power is pretty flat (remarkably btw) from 5100 to 6200 RPM, with peak torque also pretty flat (also remarkably, and prolly DUE to the detuning) from 1900 to 4800 RPM. This engine has typically produced 220-228 hp at 6400 RPM in other applications (TT, A3, A4, A5 etc.) so these remarkable observations make some sense...

While that shows ME the best place to shift is past peak torque which may "FEEL" less satisfying for acceleration, this engine is still making peak power to ACTUALLY accelerate, up to 6200 RPM - where for MAXIMUM real performance, is where it should shift. So I'd answer yes to your query "Does running it out to redline ...in spite of how it feels?" Also, don't forget that this gearbox is a torque-convertor box, so loss of torque even still with power WILL be felt -

 

[carkarl]

Thanks, I understand your point. Perhaps my intuition is tied to my ear, and notices that the acceleration stops climbing at the end. I think I'm still struggling to accept the loss of immediacy I had with manual transmissions, where I always knew what gear it was in and always felt a direct connection between my pedal input, engine noise, and acceleration. This car gives a different kind of conversation through the right foot than those did...