[Joshinator99]

Originally Posted by ItsChristianInHD

I never knew about this tactic. Basically it’s engine breaking?

No, because engine braking (you don’t want to break your engine..!) means the RPMs are lower than what’s needed at that particular car speed. The car is trying to get the engine to spin faster in your scenario.

[torqueaddict]

Originally Posted by Magnum922

You switch the shifter left to sport mode hold the left paddle 2 seconds it finds the safest highest rpm gear, then you floor it and put it back into auto mode or you paddle up shift. Downshifting, you can paddle downshift or hold down the left paddle 2 seconds to rev match each gear. (Manualy paddle shifting to down shift after that would probably be more fun)

Thanks. Yep, I'd want to manually paddle all the way, no shifting back into auto. It's nice to see these high end features trickle down to the more affordable performance cars. My last auto was about 12 years ago and I only drove it in manual mode. It was tap up/down and if you tapped and went 2 gears down, you'd get a jerk out this world.

[ItsChristianInHD]

Originally Posted by Joshinator99

No, because engine braking (you don’t want to break your engine..!) means the RPMs are lower than what’s needed at that particular car speed. The car is trying to get the engine to spin faster in your scenario.

Ohhhh boy. I can not do anything right today....
Anyways ah I see.

[70chevelleSS]

Yea, the a8 does react differently to downshifting while slowing down than any other automatic I’ve driven. In other cars, it normally feels like the gear is selected, and that gear pulls the engine up to speed. In the camaro, it feels like it revs before that trans has to pull it up to speed. It does sound cool and I think the way it operates is not unlike that of the rev matching in the m6 cars. This is all speculation from how it feels driving of course.

[Joshinator99]

Originally Posted by ItsChristianInHD

Ohhhh boy. I can not do anything right today....
Anyways ah I see.

No worries! Hopefully my explanation made sense.

[ItsChristianInHD]

Originally Posted by Joshinator99

No worries! Hopefully my explanation made sense.

It did my dude

[Magnum922]

Originally Posted by hotlap

Blip the throttle to go into performance shift mode and then let it do the most awesome downshift all on its own. The sound is killer and was my favorite part of my 16's A8.

Just tried it today. Wow, sounds great. I will be using this more often. Thanks

[hotlap]

Originally Posted by Magnum922

Just tried it today. Wow, sounds great. I will be using this more often. Thanks

I loved rolling to a stop from ~50 mph with it down shifting itself. Absolutely wicked sounding

I found the performance shift mode to be better than the paddles due to the lag with the paddles. Learn how to blip the throttle to engage performance shift and the car is set to go like hell the second you hit the gas ...and it will shift aggressively

[man0steel]

what he said Love this feature

[KingLT1]

You can also do the same thing with the shifter when its in manual mode. Just hold it back for two seconds and it will rev match to the optimal gear.

[Magnum922]

I wish there was a way to stay in competitive shift mode. Mine seems like it turns back to regular shifting as soon as you start driving slower.

[PnCRedJwl2SS]

Yes, I recall reading about an A8 rev match feature early-on when the 2016 models were announced. My own driving experience feels like it bears that out. The amazing throttle blip and burble that emanates from the exhaust upon downshifting is music!

Just wondering...

Which do you prefer...manual mode shifting in the A8 using the paddles, or using the shifter?

I MUCH prefer pulling the shifter left into manual mode and then pushing/pulling the shiftter forward and back to shift gears. Feels more responsive to me than the paddles any day.

This method, combined with a double-tap of the traction control button to engage Stabilitrak Competitive Mode is, in my opinion, the most fun way to drive an A8.

Interested in your responses...

[Magnum922]

I prefer the shifter. The paddles aren't as fun to me. It might be because this is the first car i have with paddles. The paddles did seem like it shifts a bit slower than the shifter too, might be just a feel though.

[Bluecyclone]

I enjoy the F1 style paddle shifter these new ponies have and my 16 GT has rev match. I only paddle my car now, for city and Hwy. Have not been to a drag event yet. But they are fun in the twisty's and hill country not far from my coastal location. Yee haw!