<ul><li><a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.automobilwoche. de%2Fapps%2Fpbcs.dll%2Farticle%3FAID%3D%2F20080306 %2FDPA%2F803060322%2F1008%2FREPOSITORY">Google translation of German article</a></li></ul>

shift.

shaft.

to maintain that onanistic existence permanently.

it first came out. Wasn't thrilled, but figured I needed to try a car that had been broken in and also familiarize myself with the system more. So a while later I tried a used example. Still wasn't feeling the love. Finally when the A3 came out, I drove it back to back with the 3 pedal car. Despite the stick not being the best in the biz, I still preferred it over DSG. Since then I have had A3 DSG loaners.

While it is generally fairly smooth, it does jerk when manually downshifting to a halt. A slight pause in throttle application can also see it pre-loaded for the wrong gear, which causes some delay. I can't shift as fast, but I think I come pretty close to or can better the smoothness. And finally the two things that irk me the most - the inability to select neutral by pulling back on both paddles at once like every other manumatic out there - and the fact that it upshifts for you at redline.

Great substitute for an automatic or for somebody who can't operate all the controls for some reason, but not really a substitute for a manual IMHO.

but anything automatic on the car does reduce driving pleasure for enthusiasts. The trouble is until now we could all be smug and assure oursleves that we could drive better if we manually shifted. I'm afraid that just isn't so anymore.

In fact, the latest Mitsubishi Evo X with DSG style box and fully computerized chassis cannot be beaten by a professional race driver, he will always be quicker with the driver aids on full.

That is frankly what is wrong with Nissan's new GT-R. The car makes anyone a great driver without much effort. Even the new Ferrari F430 Scuderia is quicker with the electronics engaged than without, no matter who is behind the wheel.

Sad times, but it does make City driving much easier. I remain convinced that the "faults" in these DSG and similar gearboxes are designed in to prevent a repeat of the unintended acceleration fiasco. I am sure the delays in engaging first and reverse are designed in to reduce the likelihood of driver error in low speed maneuvers. The delays are noticably worse in fully automatic mode. Manually shifting the DSG is the most efficient way to drive it, on the VW/Audi products. Not so for the true "supercars" that use these systems like the Mitsubishi Evo, Nissan GT-R and Ferrari Scuderia (weird name for a car model, that, "Ferrari Team" team what? Even "corsa" would have made more sense.).

Heck, you cannot even left foot brake my B5 S4, the ECU closes the throttle after a few seconds. Not that left foot braking works very well on an awd manual shift car but, I do like to use that technique to dry the brakes in heavy rain or after a car wash, or to remove the rust from the discs after the car has been sitting a few days.

Only my Audi won't let me do this.

BTW, the RS4 lets you left foot brake in sport mode with ESP switched off;-)