Sport Mode Question Answered

[Rit2]

I've been fortunate to have the Audi Technical Specialist at the recent Audi Driving Experience, Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia, answer my 'million' dollar question. The event previewed a whole bunch of Lamborghini Aventador, R8GT, R8V10, and Audi 'A' series.

Q. Does activating the R-tronic Transmission Sport Button automatically set the ESP and Magnetic Ride to their respective Sport mode?

A. YES,
Setting the R-tronic Transmission Sport Button automatically sets the ESP Control Module and the Damping Control Module to their respective Sport Mode threshold. No visual indication for the mode change is provided on the Driver's Display Panel. The Transmission Control Module (TCM) communicates the action of the R-tronic Transmission Sport Button over the CAN Data Bus to the ESP and Electronic Dampening Modules. Switching OFF the ESP will disable the ESP's safety feature, and there will be NO automatic re-enabling of the system in the event of a threshold exceedance (as in the case with some car manufacturers).

In the case of a manual transmission, you will need to set things up manually.

Best regards,
Ritz

p.s. Harrison, you are right in regard to your input of a 'firmer-ride' (according to your driving maneuver) when the TCM Sport mode is activated (and it's not psychological )

[harrison]

And Rit2, I have always been in sport mode, with the Mag ride button on. I have been beating my self and car up driving in such a stiff mode-especially around the L.A. area with its terribly bumpy streets. So Mag ride on is for the track, and some heavy canyon runs from now on. The car does handle well in sport mode , mag ride off, for a less bumpy ride. Take care ,Bro.

[thebishman]

In my R-Tronic 2010 V10 I swear that when in 'Sport' mode I can feel the shocks firm up only when I push the respective suspension 'Sport' mode. So whilst the gear change speed, ESP limits, throttle responsiveness, steering reactivity etc. are all affected when I press 'Sport' mode button, the car is still highly compliant until the suspension settings are changed manually.
Anyone else feel this is the way it works for them also?
Bish

[randombloke]

I am struggling with this - to me, there is a noticeable difference when driving with just the r-tronic sport on, and r-tronic sport and the esp set to sport. Likewise with the mag ride stiffening when the button is pressed whilst already in r-tronic sport mode.

We've had stuff come from audi techs before that was wrong (eg r-tronic clutch life) - so I'm still cynical.

[harrison]

There probably have been software changes from the first R8s. All I get when esp turned off is the prevention of computer/abs not kicking in around the corners. When I engage Mag ride the car is so stiff-akin to a stiff off roader - which is great when the surfaces are smooth. I've heard that the car is "adaptive". I this a bunch of malarky? (nonsense)

[randombloke]

The other thing is given how risk-averse audi is, I can't imagine them having anything that affects the safety aids of the car and doesn't explicitly state this in the user manual.

All I get when esp turned off is the prevention of computer/abs not kicking in around the corners.

right, the lack of those driver aids is noticeable - and they are still there when just r-tronic sport is engaged.

[KfabR8]

I played with the sport button for the R-tronic system this afternoon after reading this thread earlier in the day.

I notice absolutely NO difference in the suspension when the button's pushed. Throttle response, shift speed - definitely changes.

The only way I can get any suspension changes are with the mag ride switch. It definitely makes the ride stiffer and harsh on rough roads. It also makes the car run flatter in the corners. Sticks better on the smooth stuff with the button pushed.

If the road's rough enough, the non-complacent suspension can actually disrupt the chassis balance and let it break free. Turning it off on the rough stuff, while pushing the car a bit, I find can make it stick better.

ESP - push it once and it becomes less invasive. Will let you throw the car into a slide, to a point, and not interfere with the throttle/brakes (take them over) when the car's out of shape, to a point (stressing this). If you get far enough out of shape, even the "deactivated" the ESP system will still take over.

Hold it down for 5 seconds or so and it turns the ESP off* - you're now dangerous and ready for fun. Don't expect the car to help you get out of trouble now.

* completely? not sure; I have heard that it still has a threshold that it will kick in on

[soho]

^ What he said.

Hitting Sport mode does not stiffen the suspension. You need to "turn off magnetic ride/turn on sport suspension" using the Suspension button. To turn Traction Control off, you need to manually press the ESP button once. To disable ESP all together altogether (aside from a baseline threshold), hold ESP down for a few seconds.