KMSRQ

OK, it I will take this on. I picked my new baby up yesterday, a VY,A6,Z51,3LT, with Nav. I took the last two days off just to get to know it. It was delivered to Sarasota and is the first o6' in this area. It was built 9/5 VIN 1146.
I am very impressed with the paddle shifting A6. I am a Police pursuit driving instructor and have many years experience in stock car racing as well as APBA Offshore Power Boat racing. It really is 3 trannys in 1. First off the car is tight and very fast. It is a bit decieving because it is not a rough and rumbling type race car but it as advanced as anything I have been in. The A6 is the reason I canceled my order for an 05 and waited. I made the right choice. It really gives the driver control over the car in much the same way a manual with a few exceptions. It does not allow you to drop from say 5th gear to 3rd at high speeds. I prefer to decide if the engine can handle the rpms not the computer.You get a (X) on the HUD and some beeping. Until you reach a resonable shift RPM. Also, you really cannot shift during anything more than a 1/4 turn. Once you move you hands from the 3o'clock 9 o'clock postion you are out of touch with the shifting postion. Really not an issue unless you are running from the cops in a neighborhood somewhere. The shift levers are a none slip rubber and well placed for either right or left hand. The sport mode is similar to having a car with a shift kit. More responsive and quicker shifting in the "S" auto mode. I chose the A6 for the "performance fun" and sometimes need of being able to talk on a cell phone and not needing to constantly shift in Floridas' heavy traffic. This really is a smart option and added fun to the unreal car.

double eagle

Thanx for the info - - and congrats...

The Garage Master

Enjoy it.

Vet

Thanks for the review!!!

Good point.... once you turn the steering wheel, you lose touch with the shift buttons... never thought about that. For straight line driving, having shift buttons on the wheel is nifty, but I could see how it might be a real headache on a super twisty mountain road.

I've seen on some off-road type race cars, there is a ring right behind the steering wheel... apparently a shift lever... what's nice is that the wheel can be at any position, and all you need to do is squeeze as opposed to searching for buttons.

GT & C6

Sounds awesome! Makes it a tough choice between the Manual and this now.

vetracer

Finally - some details on the A6!

You are right on about dropping down more than one gear, in my '05 MN6 the best way to pass was to drop down 2 gears instead of one.

Should be getting my '06 A6 any day now, thanks for the review!

self1

For those who haven't seen the other way to approach this, here is the Ferrari mounting. Paddles stay in place as wheel turns. (OHHHH - but it can't be high performance, there are BUTTONS on steering wheel...)

Walt White Coupe

While I know nothing about it, it'd bet that they control a standard transmision with an electronic clutch. Not a slushbox.

flyzlow

Thanks for the review. I am surprised at one thing, Even my Chrysler 300 lets me downshift two gears at a time. I like the option of hands free in traffic or hands on shifting when driving in the mts. but Many times one gear down is not enough. I will be interested in test driving one sometime. Thanks again!

'06 Quicksilver Z06

Thanks for the review.

Not being able to drop down two gears at will would be a problem for me, and I had heard somewhere that this was the case with the paddle shifters. So the MN6 was the best option for me. Sometimes I like to drop down one gear, sometimes I like to drop down two.

How about upshifting? Is it the same situation? Sometimes I like to do a 1-3 shift.

Anyway, congrats on the new Vette and again thanks for the great review.

Low12s

ben dover

Thanks for the write up. Are you able to shift down 2 gears if the rpms are compatible?

DP Dave

During the Labor Day celebration at the NCM I attended a seminar given by Dave Hill and the question came up about down shifting more than one gear at a time. He said it was not possible to down shift more than one gear at a time. Hope this helps.

LS1LT1

Well one likely wouldn't be able to do that in a traditional (say the 2005 4L65E) automatic either correct? The computer won't allow you to go from overdrive to 2nd at 90mph in the old 4 speed autos either, it's a shame but it's simply one area where the A6 falls short of the M6, it's still a nice leap forward over what it's replacing IMO.

LS1LT1

In this scenario, while turning wouldn't one's hands remain in the 3 and 9 o'clock positions even as the wheel is turning leaving those apparently 'oh so desirable' column mounted shifters fixed and out of reach (as so many have complained about with the C6s A6)?
Or would you leave one hand free to work the fixed lever, just as you could of course leave one free to work the (now spinning) C6s A6 buttons/paddles?

SaltyNuts

Thanks for review mate!

MFW

Does the tranny drop two gears if you just nail the throttle and leave it in D? That might work better than trying to paddle her down Many high performance autos will drop a couple of gears and go right to a high rpm lower gear if you stomp on it - how is the A6 with this technique?

2005ArcticWhite

RandyMi

Good question, I was wondering that also

V Vette

Now thats an interior!!!!