Toronto Star article on A6 CVT
07-08-2001, 10:11 AM
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Toronto Star article on A6 CVT
<ul><li><a href="http://www.torontostar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=993765682201&call_page =TS_Wheels&call_pageid=968867497088&call_pagepath= Weekly/Wheels&col=969048871196">Audi A6 aims to be "shiftl
07-08-2001, 12:47 PM
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"has enabled a reprogramming of the Servotronic steering gear for improved feel"
"Similar stiffening of the steering rack mounting has enabled a reprogramming of the Servotronic steering gear for improved feel."
I wonder if there will be a new "605/394" relay we can just plug in?????
I wonder if there will be a new "605/394" relay we can just plug in?????
07-08-2001, 06:43 PM
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"Stiffening of the steering rack" sounds like mechanical mod...
No point in cutting the boost to allow more steering feel if the steering rack itself doesn't allow proper road feel. Once stiffened, feel improves, and less boost becomes more desirable.
07-08-2001, 07:11 PM
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yeah, sounds like just a boost change
If I ever get the darn electrical manual for the A6, I'll be looking into how to change the boost ramps on relay 605. But it appears possibly Audi did it for us?
In reference to Stoney's comments below, I don't think Audi's current rack is incapable of transmitting road feel. Audi just boosts too much to let the feel through. BMW gets good road feel through a recirculating ball setup, I think Audi's rack & pinion is probably plenty capable of transmitting feel. Those who have pulled relay 605 and those in other countries where you don't get it seem to think so.
In reference to Stoney's comments below, I don't think Audi's current rack is incapable of transmitting road feel. Audi just boosts too much to let the feel through. BMW gets good road feel through a recirculating ball setup, I think Audi's rack & pinion is probably plenty capable of transmitting feel. Those who have pulled relay 605 and those in other countries where you don't get it seem to think so.
07-08-2001, 08:47 PM
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No doubt about it: a mechanical "stiffening"... read again...
It is clearly more than "just a boost change."
The <A HREF="http://www.torontostar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=993765682201&call_page =TS_Wheels&call_pageid=968867497088&call_pagepath= Weekly/Wheels&col=969048871196">passage</A> reads:
<i><FONT COLOR="green">"Increased body rigidity has allowed the engineers to increase spring and shock valving rates
slightly for improved body roll control.
"Similar stiffening of the steering rack mounting has enabled a reprogramming of the
Servotronic steering gear for improved feel." </font></i>
This leaves no doubt: the rack mounting has been mechanically stiffened. Furthermore, according to this writer at least, this stifffening enabled reprogramming (less boost).
One can only assume that Audi felt a lower boost was somehow not up to their standards on older A6s. The wording implies a slight push-back under certain conditions in which the mounting would flex. Enthusiasts might find this more forgivable than the high boost itsel, however.
I myself would like a reduction of boost, but I don't enjoy the more complete elimination by pulling the relay (at least with my 255/40-17s).
(Furthermore, and this is pure speculation, I would be surprised if the relay is anything but a switch or switches. I hope this speculation is wrong, and that a new relay swap out may decrease the boost on our 2001 and older cars. I would LOVE an electrical manual for this car... how can I get one??)
The <A HREF="http://www.torontostar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=993765682201&call_page =TS_Wheels&call_pageid=968867497088&call_pagepath= Weekly/Wheels&col=969048871196">passage</A> reads:
<i><FONT COLOR="green">"Increased body rigidity has allowed the engineers to increase spring and shock valving rates
slightly for improved body roll control.
"Similar stiffening of the steering rack mounting has enabled a reprogramming of the
Servotronic steering gear for improved feel." </font></i>
This leaves no doubt: the rack mounting has been mechanically stiffened. Furthermore, according to this writer at least, this stifffening enabled reprogramming (less boost).
One can only assume that Audi felt a lower boost was somehow not up to their standards on older A6s. The wording implies a slight push-back under certain conditions in which the mounting would flex. Enthusiasts might find this more forgivable than the high boost itsel, however.
I myself would like a reduction of boost, but I don't enjoy the more complete elimination by pulling the relay (at least with my 255/40-17s).
(Furthermore, and this is pure speculation, I would be surprised if the relay is anything but a switch or switches. I hope this speculation is wrong, and that a new relay swap out may decrease the boost on our 2001 and older cars. I would LOVE an electrical manual for this car... how can I get one??)
07-08-2001, 09:42 PM
#7
It sounds like the 605 was programable but not enabled?
It does however point to the rack mount as the weak link. Is this the consequence for pulling our 605s? I doubt they stiffened the rack mounts on UK
cars with out servtronics. They get carried away with these press releases, they sometimes say a lot about nothing. They have to say something is different. They surely know we are taking them out. Who knows the mods could be only bigger washers or an extra fold in the sheet metal at the mount.
Personally I'll leave mine out.
cars with out servtronics. They get carried away with these press releases, they sometimes say a lot about nothing. They have to say something is different. They surely know we are taking them out. Who knows the mods could be only bigger washers or an extra fold in the sheet metal at the mount.
Personally I'll leave mine out.
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07-08-2001, 11:02 PM
#8
You'll be torquing your steering column with more force w/o the
extra assist. The 605 is an option in other markets. Does this mean that other parts of the rack and mounting hardware is different ? Doesn't seem likely.
07-09-2001, 07:26 AM
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Hmm...how much is really different...and no Quattro until 2004
Interesting article, but tough to separate out the real from the unreal. After all, today's automatics "learn" and Audi's tiptronic is extremely smooth compared to the competition. But VW and Audi...as the Passant W8 shows...who knows what they can do with this car!
I suspect that in a few years when it's time to get a new car, I'll return to a manual shifter anyway. If things keep going they way they are, GPS will be adjusting your throttle and doing your steering for you!
TC
I suspect that in a few years when it's time to get a new car, I'll return to a manual shifter anyway. If things keep going they way they are, GPS will be adjusting your throttle and doing your steering for you!
TC