A8
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 515
Likes: 34
From: Hackensack new jersey
A8
Wondering what benefit the new transmission is to me living in the north east and not tracking car. My new Harley has a 6 speed transmission which I could understand, due to always looking for another gear on my 5 speed bike. My grand sport is never looking for another gear. A-8 what am I looking at.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
yep; if you drive the car exactly as it's driven on the EPA dyno rollers, you will get better MPG.
0-60 acceleration may improve... a little. But who races to 60mph ?
Supposedly there are two extra shifts required in the 1/4 mile; any improvement there is doubtful.
0-60 acceleration may improve... a little. But who races to 60mph ?
Supposedly there are two extra shifts required in the 1/4 mile; any improvement there is doubtful.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 9,217
Likes: 153
From: Ft Mill, SC
It's not about the slight MPG difference or acceleration difference ( although some keep beating that drum over and over again). It's about the dual clutch comparable performance as promised by GM. The A8 is a brand new clean sheet design, not a tweaked older design like the A6 is in the about to be out dated 2014 C7. We shall see shortly if the A8 lives up to it's anxiously awaited introduction as the 2015 begins production on Aug 11th.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
It's not about the slight MPG difference or acceleration difference ( although some keep beating that drum over and over again). It's about the dual clutch comparable performance as promised by GM. The A8 is a brand new clean sheet design, not a tweaked older design like the A6 is in the about to be out dated 2014 C7. We shall see shortly if the A8 lives up to it's anxiously awaited introduction as the 2015 begins production on Aug 11th.
I hear ya, and hope you're right.
But the move to 8 speeds from 6; was strictly for CAFE.
In order to not take a step backwards in quarter-mile performance; they had to decrease the shifting time. The net performance gain may end up being zero for the quarter-mile; though we may get a tenth or two better on MPG. Still a positive thing though.
For those autocross/road-coursing the car... the quicker shifting 8sp may just afford an advantage.
