Still learning the capabilities of our advanced machines. Thanks to YouTube and this Forum, I just learned in while in auto mode just intentionally depressing the throttle 3/4 down and back places this smart transmission into a performance program which causes an instantaneous downshift to lowest gear relative to speed rev matching RPM sending max torque to the rear wheels. Press down on the throttle again and the car rockets shifting aggressively in milliseconds to a commanding speed. Back off the throttle blimps the RPMs on downshift again keeping max torque to the rear wheels which is great on twisty curves or a relaunch on a straight away. The engineering is amazing, crisp, fast and downright controlled race confidence with authority.

If that was not enough another technique while in auto mode, press the left paddle shift for about 2 seconds initiates manual mode also causes an instantaneous downshift to lowest gear relative to speed rev matching RPM sending max torque to the rear wheels. You immediately up-shift with the right paddle while throttling up and the car launches with unleashed power and speed. Great technique for a high speed pass, racing on a roll or just smoking another car. Incredibly resuming normal driving puts the car back in auto mode all without touching shift selector.

There even more to be said while in manual mode but that is another story. I am just amazed on what this A8 can do. And to think I was settling on a automatic giving up my Z06 stick due my limitations. Now after having both, the A8 is faster as no human can beat this wizardry of technology. Now I understand why an automatic is only available on the C8. I get it now. That said a stick is still a blast to drive.

 

Yes but there is a faster way than that. holding down paddle shift will also do the same but faster.

 

I will try that, as I said still learning. Thanks for the pointer!

 

The auto as you call it in the C8 is nothing like the A8. Totally different transmission closer to an automated manual transmission than a slushomatic. It doesn't have a torque converter it has two clutches similar to the clutch for the M7.

Bill

 

The A8 shifts VERY fast. Just ask the Hellcat I raced. When using the paddles it is quite a bit slower than in Drive. So far, so good, with mine. Had the triple flush done, and I have the Range device. Good combination.

 

The C8 I would think should be a significant improvement over the C7 just like the C7 over the C6 and so on. GM engineers are pretty dam good!
As for my slushomatic (that's pretty funny) I am quite pleased. Today without much effort smoked a Hemi-Charger. I know apples and oranges but the slushomatic
left no room for doubt that it performs like a champion that it is. And to think all I did was blip the throttle, it did the rest. So I am happy even if its outdated and out classed by a C8.

 

try purchasing a Soler throttlebody controller...for 95 bucks...its an awesome easy performance add on...just installed mine yesterday ...WOW!...you can adjust your throttle/pedal response to your liking...sport mode # 5 is a very noticeable difference from stock oem... no horse power gain but pedal response is off the chart! So called Sloutch is gone.....

 

That stab of the throttle will also put the car into performance shift mode. While holding the left paddle will indeed downshift to the lowest gear available, I'm not sure if it engages that feature or not.

 

Honestly I am still figuring out the many trick features of this car. Some of the discoveries are not in the Owner's manual. I think GM Engineers have a sense of humor when putting 10lbs in a 5lb bag and a good example is this A8 transmission.

 

Fact.

 

So many people make snide remarks about “can’t shift your own gears?”, “awww it’s just an automatic”.

Yes, I guarantee I can shift my own gears better than you can in any car! She outruns the standards with ease, and she’ll outrun your Jeep Cherokee. 😂

My girl is a strictly standard, row your own gears girl, and when I let her drive it she said, “wow, I was expecting a boring automatic. That thing is amazing. I see now why you didn’t get a manual! Damn good choice.”

 

I keep going back and forth with buyers remorse with the A8 GS I bought in December. But! When i found the trick you described the growl the car made was like a caged animal set free. Beauty. That noise and being able to cruise the shore in traffic without a sore leg has me feeling ok most of the time. It is the smoothest shifting car I’ve ever had including some German DCTs.

 

Maybe something in the algorithms has been changed for the 2019 Z06 A8, but mine will not select the lowest gear available by pulling the left paddle when in Drive. I have tried, it will do this if set to Manual on the gear selector. I also have tried pulling both paddles as i read somewhere this was the proper way but it does not work either. The stab the throttle and fully depress does work extremely well while in D. Shifts are aggressive and sharp.

 

I'll have to give this a shot, I've not done the left paddle pull. The throttle down response is quite impressive, no torque build up, just a throttle down and shift down response and GO!

 

Also remember that Jim Mero said the A8 was what he drove at the Ring in Germany because it was turning better times than the M7 would. It's not just for straight line racing.

 

Randy Pobst has also said the A8 is faster on the road racing track...

 

I hate it, hate it, hate it, but a good auto trans is now faster than a stick. Like dang near anything that used to be done mechanically and is now done electronically, the electronically wins. I see more and more cars being road tested and a comment made like, we found the car was faster leaving it in auto than using the paddles ourselves.