WestCoastDriver

I purchased a 2013 S4 (LOVE IT!) and recently went head to head with my friend's 2013 6 speed manual. It wasn't even close. With launch control, I easily took and maintained the lead to 80 mph.

But, was this just a result of his driving skills related to the manual transmission or a result of the car itself?

I know many newer cars are faster in the automatic then the manual. I presume this to be true of the 2013 Audi S4.

Comments?

GoNavy

the official numbers from Audi show that the 6MT is slightly slower (less than 0.3 seconds i think). but that's also probably with a professional driver who knows how to most efficiently/effectively switch through the gears during acceleration.

Audifourme

The automatic trans can shift faster than any human can, so you get 0.2 seconds faster 0-60, but a good manual driver can also shift very quicky. Maybe your friend wasn't as good shifting?

Anyways, this may make a difference if you are taking the car to the drag strip, but it shouldn't make any difference on a real road track, or real world roads.

You will have more control over the engine and torque curve with a manual transmission than an automatic. So, the real question is not which one is faster, but which one is more involved, and fun to drive.

StasisS4

Realistically on a stock car if the driver is good the launch should be equal, the S-tronic shouldn't gain until the 1-2, then 2-3 shift. S-tronic's will always been faster in a straight line than a manual, but this may change when tunes start rolling out for 2013's since the S-tronic shifts quite a bit earlier than the 2010-2012 models. The 6MT will be able to ride the gears to 7K where the S-tronics can't.

virsipe

The autoweek test of the 2013 S4 S-tronic was 0.2 seconds faster than the 2013 S5 6-sp car.

In my test driving of 2013 models, I thought the S-tronic felt way faster than the 6-speed car while moving- not from a start as this was not tested.

m444

Looking at the B8 S4 Official 1/4th Quarter Mile, Drag Strip, Time results on Audizine, all the cars at the top of the list are DSG; http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ag-Strip-Times


YYYY/MM/DD - Time @ MPH - 60FT - DA - TM - Tune - Fuel - Username - Cert - Time Slip - Video - Witness
************************************************** ************************************************** **********************************************
2012/10/27 - 11.674 @ 118.78 MPH - 1.667 - - DSG - APR S2+ 100 - 100 AKI - rynurz23
2012/10/13 - 11.694 @ 117.12 MPH - 1.644 - 348 FT - DSG - APR S2+ 100 - 110 AKI - primetime(Ron) - IHRA
2011/11/12 - 11.757 @ 119.60 MPH - 1.726 - -845 FT - DSG - APR S2+ 104 - 110 AKI - 81Bear - NHRA
2012/04/28 - 11.766 @ 115.81 MPH - 1.671 - 110 FT - DSG - APR S2+ 100 - 100 AKI - primetime(Ron) - IHRA
2012/04/07 - 11.839 @ 116.41 MPH - 1.744 - 450 FT - DSG - APR S2+ - AKI - Imolamonster - IHRA
2011/11/ - 11.969 @ 115.71 MPH - 1.736 - 550 FT - DSG - APR S2+ 100 - 100 AKI - 81Bear - IHRA

Toecutter

They're not mutually inclusive, however.

e.g., Driving in heavy traffic, or with broken right collarbone (I can tell you all there is to know about that one).

subiesleeper

I ordered a 6MT but only test drove the S tronic. It is an amazing gearbox but I knew I would get bored and I keep my cars for many years so had to get manual.

helix139

The 6MT has a higher redline (7200 compared to 6800 in 2013 when tuned) and they made the gearing taller on the 2013. I think with a short shifter and a competent driver, it would be pretty close between the two and in some cases, the 6MT may have an advantage due to the higher redline.

aris4n

It all depends on if the car is badged with the V6T or Supercharged..
We all know that the Supercharged badge adds at least 11hp per side totaling and extra 22hp!!

The Eurocode Short Shifter might help a little in quicker shifts (but regardless, it sure makes the car MUCH MORE FUN to drive...