How do you rev an automatic R8?

[henry09]

Stupid question, i know... I'm about to buy this Audi R8 (I'll post the link on the bottom). This car is a true demonized beast (take a look at the odometer). The thing is.. when i saw the gear knob.. It's nothing i've ever seen before. I'm a kind of guy that usually drives automatic cars like Mercedes, Bmws, and other Audis. To be honest, i've never driven a manual... Wheres the P? How will i rev it?

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...25&cardist=220

[mngolfer]

The R-tronic is a manual transmission that is computer shifted so you do not need a clutch. There are many threads on this forum discussing the R-tronic and manual transmission. Search is your friend.

[randombloke]

if you want to free rev it, you shift it into neutral by pushing the stick to the right if it's in gear. pushing it to the left puts it in gear and engages automatic mode, pushing it again to the left puts it into manual mode.

[SebringSilver]

There's no P in the R-tronic. You put it in Neutral if you want to rev it. To put it in Neutral, toggle the shift lever to the right (you can also place it back in its center position after toggling it to the right).

Most people here on the forum will recommend that you drive it like a manual, meaning that you shouldn't just stick it in A (for Auto mode) and let it shift by itself. But even if you've never driven a manual, I can't imagine it'd be that hard to get used to driving the car in Manual mode. And you get the pleasure of listening to the car rev-match on downshifts.

Word of caution: Do NOT expect this transmission to be buttery smooth like it would be on your Mercedes, (some) BMWs, or (non-S-tronic) Audis. It's a manual gearbox that electronically articulates the clutch for you on up-and-down-shifts.

Enjoy!

[drifting]

Man up and buy a manual?

[Moggy]

Man up and buy a manual?

I'm not sure recommending a 500+hp motor car for someone's first ever manual drive is the best advice I've ever read here. Could be wrong though.

If you've never driven a manual and are interested in going that route then an s-tronic style gear box isn't a bad way to go. A better way would be to buy a beater car and go out and practice. Lessons would be a good idea as well.

Having said all that, you shouldn't have a problem with the s-tronic. Stay out of sport mode and the car won't let you get into trouble by down-shifting before a stall and up-shifting at redline. Soon enough you'll feel comfortable doing the shifting yourself.

Get someone to give you a lesson for a day and you'll be there easy enough. I'm sure someone on the list who's near you would be happy to. I know I would.

[sapien]

I only drove one manual car before the R8 and seemed to adjust find to the extra power.

Though my shifts could still be smoother it seems, unless it's normal for passengers to get jerked a bit when shifting (especially in low gears)

any experienced drivers got tips
you guys blip the throttle when downshifting?

[SebringSilver]

I only drove one manual car before the R8 and seemed to adjust find to the extra power.

Though my shifts could still be smoother it seems, unless it's normal for passengers to get jerked a bit when shifting (especially in low gears)

any experienced drivers got tips
you guys blip the throttle when downshifting?

I avoid that by just not giving rides to jerks.

[drifting]

Its easier to crash a auto i think as with a manual you use the gears more to control your speed and it don't matter if the car has 1000hp unless your holding your foot down on the gas then it isn't going anywhere and in first gear as well .

In england most people have manuals. My other half gets on ok driving the 8 she's had a auto since she was 17

To the OP would it be worth having a go in a normal manual car before you buy your 8?

[M3R8]

A bit of head jerking is fine. If they start bleeding from the back of the head you know you've pushed too far.