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For the life of me, I cannot remember having this illuminating bar below the digital speedo.

Is this a new MY17 addition, a PE addition or was I just completely oblivious (and blind) to in my MY16 RS6? Is it a power or gear change illuminating bar?

And what's the launch control they are on about?!

That's the gear change indicator if you are in manual mode and on the lap counter screen on all versions as i get it on mine (54 plate).

I have a MY 16 car and the Green to Red horizontal sequential light are "gear change" lights and in addition there is a grey bar that curves up to the left hand side of the same screen showing how much boost as the boost cuts in, whilst, when lap timer mode, the HUD shows the gear as well as the speed, the speed limit and the oil temperature (all very useful and convenient, especially when on the track).

Hope that helps.

Doodlebug - Launch control: this operates if you switch off "A" (so engine doesn't cut and car run on battery power as you are about to launch), if you half switch off the Traction Control/ESP (one press of the button, not 2 secs as that switches it right off), then floor the brake left footed and depress the throttle fully. Once you lift the brake you are away (I gather the gear box will change up for you at optimum revs., for most rapid get away, c.f. red line, as long as the car continues in a straight line); if not in a straight line, then as well as steer, you are expected to decide when to change up.

It's not actually launch control. It's just holding the car against the brake.

Thanks Almo,

I'm clearly as blind as a bat then

Don't think I ever had the car in manual mode on that particular screen. Was familiar with the boost bar up the left hand side but never spotted the gear change bar.

Learn something new everyday.

Leo-RS wrote: ↑

Wed May 17, 2017 7:01 pm

Thanks Almo,

I'm clearly as blind as a bat then

Don't think I ever had the car in manual mode on that particular screen. Was familiar with the boost bar up the left hand side but never spotted the gear change bar.

Learn something new everyday.

Yes it'll only come up when you push the lever over into manual mode. As soon as you do you will see the faint outline of the bars but they won't light up until you start giving it some.

Leo, totally off thread but did you ever hear any news on the famous RS7 that went pop? I know it was getting re-built but not heard much in a while? Last time I spoke to him maybe a year ago??


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post by doodlebug » 17 May, 2017 - 17:34
"It's not actually launch control. It's just holding the car against the brake."

When you floor the throttle and the car holds the revs at 2,000 -2,500, for example, until you release the brake, isn't that a form of "launch control"? If not, what is?

That could just be the stall speed of the verter. If you're having to fight to hold the car on the brake then I don't think this is a ''launch control''.

It doesn't feel like a fight to hold the car on the brake. What are the alternative forms of launch control for comparison and how do they launch?

Cars with actual launch control have a specific program within the engine map that's enabled under specific conditions.

Take a TTS, foot on brake, foot on throttle launch activates, boost builds, foot of brake and you disappear to 60 in about 2.5 seconds. If you don't release the brake then the car drops the throttle to ensure no damage.

The RS6 doesn't have one. Generally cars with slosh boxes don't have launch.

What is the significance of turning the traction off to do this in the RS6? Does it make any difference? Whilst i agree it is not proper launch control, doesn't the turning of traction off, put the car into dynamic mode, engine warm etc form part of the conditions required to activate the 'launch control' ie maintain the throttle at the right revs whilst holding the car on the brake.

I thought I hadn't imagined it.

See page 99 of the Owner's Manual: The "Launch control PROGRAMME gives you optimum acceleration when starting from a stand-still. Important- the engine must be warm and the steering wheel must be pointing straight-ahead. (I gather steering inputs can override the optimum gear change/ power/ revs position and the revs will rise to the rev. limiter to the detriment of maximal duration power output.)
-Deactivate the start/stop system. The The LED in the A button will light up.
-Deactivate the hold assist. The LED in the button will go out.
-Switch the electronic stabilisation control (ESC) to sport mode (by depressing it briefly)(page 157). The ESC (TC) lamp will light up.(There is also a message that you have partially switched it off that briefly occupies the onboard computer display.)
(Page 57- In ... special situations, it may be advisable switch on the (ESC) sport mode.... to allow a certain amount of wheelspin. Applies to RS model: The ESC operates in several levels. Depending on which level is selected, the stabilisation function of the ESC is restricted or switched off, and the vehicle is stabilised to a greater or lesser degree.)
-Briefly pull the selector lever back from D/S to select position S, or select DYNAMIC mode in drive select.
-Press the brake pedal firmly with your left foot and hold it down for atleast one second.
-At the same time, press the accelerator all the way down with your right foot until the engine revs are high and steady.
-Take your foot off the brake within 5 seconds.
WARNING
-Driven wheels may start to spin ....
- When acceleration has been completed, you should deactivate the sport mode again by briefly pressing the ESC (TC) button.
-The gear box may be hot after you have used the launch control programme. In this case, the PROGRAMME may not be available for several minutes. The programme will be available again after a cool-down period.
-Accelerating with the launch control programme places a heavy load on on all parts of the vehicle. This can result in increased wear and tear.


This sound s very much like a "Launch Control PROGRAMME" to me!

My understanding is that a certain amount of wheel spin ( more than is normally allowed when the ESC is switched on every time the engine is started) is required, possibly to build some inertia and torque and increase friction. Too much spin is obviously deleterious to a quick getaway, but then so is too much safety interference from the ESC/TC.

Also, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. There's lots of U tube video out there of the RS7 (American's don't have the RS6) showing impressive C7 getaways, time and again, thanks to Audi's quattro system (and Launch Control Programme) agains all sorts of opposition.