Does anyone feel like I do?

[conm]

Test drove the 458 Ferrari with of course dual clutch transmission and felt OK, but then jumped back into my R8 V8 Rtronic and decided to order the 2012 R8 V10 Rtronic on the spot. Much more engaging.

[randombloke]

This will most likely piss you off... lol

it's exactly what I'd expect from a motoring journalist

Not at all. He couldn't possibly know more about the R8 than we do.

exactly, but let's be real about this - those of us who've driven the r-tronic and love it will be sidelined by all the new owners coming along and getting the s-tronic. you have to spend time with the r-tronic for it to get under your skin - anyone making quick comparisons simply won't "get it".

[gazza1]

I look forward to the S-tronic after driving a RS5 on the track last year with Audi.

Never quite understood a manual gearbox without a clutch pedal.

[soho]

Love my R-tronic. Have driven RS5 -- lacked any sense of occasion in engagement of shifts. For me, I will sacrifice slight underperformance for soul.

The S-tronic definitely performs though. That is for sure.

[Stig 1]

Check this video out

This will most likely piss you off... lol

Hmmmm, On track, he liked how it upshifted in the corners so it was smoother when he accelerated afterwords....

I had expected as much.... journalist + track + R8 = Automatic Mode

I am very much looking forward to my first drive in an R8 with S tronic (mind is open and ready)

Loved the headrest cover on the plane though.

[aquarianuw]

I guess one of the biggest changes with the S-tronic is that it will upshift for you, where the R-tronic won't. How do you hold a gear in S-tronic then?? Will the sport mode prevent the auto upshifting?

[Stig 1]

I guess one of the biggest changes with the S-tronic is that it will upshift for you, where the R-tronic won't. How do you hold a gear in S-tronic then?? Will the sport mode prevent the auto upshifting?

Well... in the S7, In several ways, I am becoming more and more disappointed with the S tronic Even with this being a daily driver family style car, the ability to control its shift points are far from being in the proper range. When warm, it shows redline at about 6500 rpm by the little red bars on the tach. It shifts early... like 1k+ early.... and every time. MAYBE its in a break in mode or something??? but.. it does this in all modes, drive, sport, and even MANUAL. Every time I shift, it usually automatically prematurely shifts first, then I end up another gear up and sitting at a 3k rpm range. This is not cool at all. Smooth and acceptable for taking out the family out for dinner, but fun factor is becoming less and less every day I drive it.

Fortunately we have R8 owners with Great RS5 S tronic feedback... so hopefully this is not a true indication of the S tronic itself.

Remember the first 2013 video we seen of the R8, and the driver had this happen to him in the video! Shifted up automatically just as he hit the paddle, then it shifted again because he hit the paddle then the rpms were down.

[desperado]

It is common for those who track other VW and Audi with the S-tronic to do an aftermarket flash on the TCU to address these kind of issues.

See for example: DSG / S-Tronic Performance Programming

Not sure why I've never pursued this on our TT, as I have similar issues as Stig 1 does.

[Stig 1]

Thanks for sharing that link desperado.

Two things after I have re-read my last post.

1) The S tronic in the S7 IS an great transmission and an amazing piece of technology. It has some areas that I would like to be different when it comes to any spirited driving. But... for the 99% of the normal driving this car is designed to be, it is ultra smooth, fast, and seamless feeling as if its not even there.

2) If this is how the S tronic will feel in the new R8's... I am sure many out there will like how fast it is, but I will stand by my previous comment of it not having the feeling of having a soul.

Its a good thing that we are not limited to only having just one car to try to satisfy all of our desires

[drifting]

Why does no one like manuals anymore?