Electric supercharger FTW.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/voices/why-electric-superchargers-make-sense-now?src=soc_fcbks
but what does that have to do with b9 @.@
he’s hoping to be prophetic
instead, Audi have already developed the engines for the new A4, and none will use an electric supercharger.
That Le Mans technology will trickle down from the top, not starting at the bottom.
I forgot forums are a no imagination zone. I would not buy a B9 if they just carried over the same 3.0TFSI. I already have the good one with the hydraulic steering.
This…
Hydraulic steering FTW…
I have driven a few separate 8.5’s, and was not a fan of the steering, stock and modded.
Never driven a B8 but there isn’t that much difference between the two?
Depending on who you talk to it can be considered a big deal. Main issue is the assist motors have lots of internal friction, implying they filter out a lot of the subtle road feel you’d normally feel in a hydraulically assisted or manually steering system. The secondary issue is Audi/VW did a bad job of tuning the feedback control for the B8.5, lots of weird variation in the assist torque (you can definitely feel it, even at low speed), especially if the road is crowned. Seems to get worse when temps dip around 40 F. People are loving the steering on the new 911, K-men and M3, which are all electrically assisted…so it’s really just the engineering lagging expectations on the B8.5.
I rather like the electric power steering on my car. Never had an issue with it.
Odd, every car publication I’ve read seem to mention that the eletronic rack actually improved steering feel.
Audi has been notoriously bad for steering feel, and the electric rack is no exception. However, it apparently is on par or better than the hydro rack per R&T, MT, C&D etc.
Something about the hydro rack feeling really heavy and lacking tactile feel (sounds like a description for the elec rack lol). I honestly have no opinion on the matter. Havent driven the B8 hydro rack. Don’t love my B8.5 rack. The Mustang was better XD
you’re allowed to guess. So am I.
THAT’S what a forum is all about. I think you’re more interested in a diary.
Of note, the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat (sedan) is the only trim in that lineup with a hydraulic rack, for performance reasons.
I don’t think Audi (S4), BMW (M3/M4), nor Mercedes (2015 C400) have seamless electric steering feel. In fact none of those 3 cars has a steering feel advantage, as they’re all neutralized on the same part. It’s pretty close to perfect in the 981 Boxster, but if you think hard afterwards you can sort of sense it was there. It’s very subtle, like the difference (loss of realtime) between a landline and a cellular call.
Not sure I’ve ever seen an Audi praised for steering feel. The AK helped a lot in this regard, crazy how much flex there is in the stock sub-frame brace. I’m pretty convinced Audi likes to engineer compliance into the steering, probably to negate any torque steer you can get with the front wheels driven. Although someone else said it’s by design so the engine can submarine during a crash…who the hell knows, but that part is a joke.
B7 Rs4
I have a B8.5 S4 (2013) - and the ONLY thing that drives me nuts on the car is the electronic steering. Turning off DSR has helped some but not completely. I’ve brought it up to the dealer who was for the most part dismissive.
Plan to bring it up again once winter rolls around as the wandering and ‘notchiness’ is more prevalent during lower temps.
I’m with you that hydraulic is going to win every time.
We’re at the same stage where the rest of the world was when everything was transitioning from manual racks to assisted ones. Read all the prose of losing the delicacy and feel of a true manual rack vs assisted steering…and how ppl cried foul when porsche added stuff like power locks, ac and assisted steering to the 911.
Buuuuuut I’m reading the Audi is a different story. Of basically how both racks suck (hydro and elec) and the mags preferred the elec rack. I’ll post up some links when I have time to dig them up. Not that it matters…again, I’ve never driven a B8, so I have no idea how that feels. I can say that the 8.5 sucks for steering feel doe XD
Yea it’s back for me too, noticed it this morning, the only fix they can do is flash the update onto your steering ECU…which removes the difference between dynamic/auto/comfort. Apparently, it makes them all less stiff than dynamic, which is where I like to keep it.
There’s an incredible amount of engineering decisions that affect how things feel. Will have to wait till electric steering systems are engineered from the ground up…as of now, they stick electric motors on the rack in most cases, and use evolutions of past hydraulic assist systems. But it depends a lot of the suspension geometry, whether the rack is in front/behind drive axle etc (http://www.brakeandfrontend.com/tie-rod-geometry/). Then the upper steering system with cardan joints and other pieces that can add weird feel.
Ugh - trying to avoid them flashing the update. Thats what they recommended the first time I brought it in - and had heard it had that affect - which is why I refused the flash. Plan on changing to Michelin PSS’s next spring, will see if that has any effect since some are saying tire choice can get rid of the issue.
This.
Lots of cool tech on the horizon. Here’s a gas engine from Toyota that has a cylinder with no rod or crankshaft. The piston moves magnets over coils to generate electricity (presumably to recharge batteries).