Torque Steer

[Eddie555]

I don't think it's a watering down. I just think it's just down to the law of physics. With the small RS4 b7/b8s they are a bit more power to weight balanced hence in my own experience having owned a b7 and my son owning a b8 I've found you can flick them around with a lot more confidence than you can a big old C7 with a lot more horses . As I've said before. I'm no Colin McRae and not saying people can't drive but the animal C7 does need a bit more concentration and ability to control.

[almoRS]

I've noticed it can happen on an overtake or if you turn left out of a junction and floor it but it doesn't always happen. My understanding regards the tyres is that a manufacturer will fit whatever is the supplier for that year i.e. one the contract and possibly target country. My C63 came with Yoko Advans as I picked it up in Germany but most UK delivered at the time came with Contis. I'll probably switch to Michelin PSS from the Dunlops when they are up as I've always found them the best. I'm interested to see the difference when I switch to lighter forged wheels, hopefully soon also.

[jezitalia]

Almo, I hear you re the tyres, just be careful ( opening a can of worms and heavily discussed topics here ) re the tyre fitment being R01, as per my understanding there are 3 tyres Homologated and "approved" for the C7 ( 21") Dunlop, Conti and Pirelli. I believe the 20" option is OK on the Michelin PSS, at least thats what they said to me with my 20" tyre for the C6. Great tyre I agree.

Not debated much here is the impact pf the new steering system.

[almoRS]

Yes I agree it probably is a can of worms but just because they have been tested with Audi doesn't mean anything. I've never fitted a tyre just because it can be specced OEM and insurers don't have an issue either. If you change the size then you have to tell insurers but not the brand. OEM tyres usually cost more and you get what you pay for by using high quality tyres.

[10biscuits]

I think Mike has got it spot on,after 9 years of running RSs, I was expecting the same with the C7,not to be,that coupled with what my dealer explained which was Audi set out with the C7 to challenge the M4/5 and C63 and make it more appealing as a drivers car,not sure about that really,but you do have to use your brain with the C7,more than I ever had to with the B7 and B8,is that good or bad ??Dealer also said with the Stronic gearbox under hard acceleration,this does have an impact on handling,because it's so quick to change and the car may not be ready for it.There you go ,all really interesting stuff and to be honest most of the posters on here are superb and I have learnt a hell of a lot,which adds to the joy of owning a C7,I consider myself v lucky.

[kieranp1]

I have been meaning to post something along these lines for a while, but have not had chance. I too get disconcerting feelings when accelerating. My motor is running the standard 20's, P Zeros and Air.

The sensations I have felt, at first didn't feel like torque steer but the more I think about it and the more it happens it certainly could be torque steer. For me the front end goes light then tightens and this followed by what seems like the back end wagging. The back end wagging could be as a result of me putting inputs in to the steering wheel inadvertently trying to keep the car inline???? Because of this when the wife first gave the car some beans I warned to hold on tight!!!

[jezitalia]

Kieran/ 10/ Mike,

Great points and I have to concede perhaps to having to adapt, but I expected improvement all over from the C6, unfair, maybe. I agree to lucky as it is an amazing car.

We also have similar comments from all 3 tyre options homologated. Am going to chat with my insurer re the tyre option, if they confirm, I will be on Michelins PSS next once the Dunlops have gone. They have the size, load and speed tyre, just simply not R01.

Now to look forward to Goodwood FOS on Sunday......

[Millwallmart]

A very long, but interesting thread, personally I love the stupendous amounts of power my C7 has and am even on a quest for more but physics demands that and estate car will only handle this power well when it's applied within the limits of its handling in any given situation.

I think the power is 'totally' useable in a straight line but I enjoy having a wrestle with it at its limits- for me that's the joy of driving and, to be honest, it's usually my capabilities as a driver that are reached before the 'biting point' of the car.

I have an Atom that makes twisties on track days immense fun but I have no desire to throw my C7 around the short circuit at brands as I don't believe that's what it's designed for...

It's a great all round multitasking car and I love it for that reason, is it quick?, yes, is it the best handling car... Probably not...

[jezitalia]

Millwallmart,

Good points, and many I agree with, however I would argue I have not pushed the car that close to any limit. I also share the belief that the cars ability far outweighs my limited talent.

Where I would contest is that a newer, lighter, and yes more powerful that the C6, could be expected to handle better in every situation. I also believe that the manoeuvre most of have had the greatest issue with, overtaking, should not present a quattro driven car this issue.

It may all boil down to the centre line ridge in the road, but thats a very simplistic, but equally plausible option. I am sure I have had it on flat roads too as others have reported, which as you say may be the simple application of the law of Physics.

[SuprSi]

Less weight and more power will result in less traction IMO.

Also I'd probably say (in theory as I have no idea how good a driver you are). A bad driver could make any performance car do weird stuff even at very low speed. Yes the car might have amazing grip and cornering potential but if the wrong inputs are put in it could spin at 30mph kinda thing.

Here's an example: My C5 caught me out with some vicious snap oversteer a while back after a combination of bad inputs starting from simply giving it a bit too much throttle going around a roundabout. I'd been round it a lot faster previously so had my guard down a bit. I got under-steer, foolishly wound on half a turn of steering, then let off the throttle. It nearly resulted in a spin. That was me having a brain fart, but the point is a car can't compensate for bad driving (unless it's a GTR).

All that said it could just be that the dunlops are crap but just picking up on some points of discussion.

[jezitalia]

Hi,

SuprSi, I agree re driving ability has a lot to play due to the amount of power at work.

This could be a factor, but the manoeuvre that brings this effect on is not in my opinion over aggressive, is much less aggressive than I have performed in the past in this car and my C6. I am also not driving at my limit ( as such miles away from the limit of the car ), also this, lets call it for now "effect" happens in the dry, and with no traction control activation.

Your point resonates with the tech though who ( is a bike rider and "maps the road carefully ) said, uneven road, power, over corrective input which then causes the wrestling effect we have all mentioned. I remain convinced though, (in my head) this is not confined to uneven roads.

[GLM]

Hi,

SuprSi, I agree re driving ability has a lot to play due to the amount of power at work.

This could be a factor, but the manoeuvre that brings this effect on is not in my opinion over aggressive, is much less aggressive than I have performed in the past in this car and my C6. I am also not driving at my limit ( as such miles away from the limit of the car ), also this, lets call it for now "effect" happens in the dry, and with no traction control activation.

Your point resonates with the tech though who ( is a bike rider and "maps the road carefully ) said, uneven road, power, over corrective input which then causes the wrestling effect we have all mentioned. I remain convinced though, (in my head) this is not confined to uneven roads.

I have had one occurrence where coming off a round-about on to a dual carriageway, put the car into sport mode and given it a good measure of acceleration (after all, its what such a car is about!). At the time the weather was sunny and hot (25c probably) and the car was pointed in a straight line, but with the power coming in the car did seem to squirm/slide a touch to the right. I didn't get a chance to see the dash for any traction control lights as i was looking at the traffic to make sure no one pulled out in front of me.
I put the 'effect' down to tyres (Dunlop) and a tram lining/chamber in the road. I've not had anything like it previously in the same place with the C6 and not had anything like it again in the C7 since.
So overall, I would tend to agree with the tech. I think the tyres will play a part of it, however, maybe there maybe certain instances that lead to the road conditions influencing the torque vectoring systems... no idea how you prove that tho.

[wrekka]

I have dunlops and def noticed this a lot on my long drive home.

[bobededog]

Sorry to be lazy but what do c5, c6 & c7 weigh?

[W8PMC]

Less weight and more power will result in less traction IMO.

Also I'd probably say (in theory as I have no idea how good a driver you are). A bad driver could make any performance car do weird stuff even at very low speed. Yes the car might have amazing grip and cornering potential but if the wrong inputs are put in it could spin at 30mph kinda thing.

Here's an example: My C5 caught me out with some vicious snap oversteer a while back after a combination of bad inputs starting from simply giving it a bit too much throttle going around a roundabout. I'd been round it a lot faster previously so had my guard down a bit. I got under-steer, foolishly wound on half a turn of steering, then let off the throttle. It nearly resulted in a spin. That was me having a brain fart, but the point is a car can't compensate for bad driving (unless it's a GTR).

All that said it could just be that the dunlops are crap but just picking up on some points of discussion.

But surely that's the whole point of owning such cars. Physics has to make an appearance at some point & although in an AWD car it's more controlled, close to 600bhp & a big dollop of torque will catch any car & their driver out every now & again.

No intention of raising the debate, but even in the very best of conditions the torque demon can show up. I had a 35ish degree tank slapper at North of a key speed milestone yesterday which was totally unexpected as i'd launched with no traction issues whatsoever.