Introducing Hermann - no really...

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by HypermilerAX

It must be hard anyway to drive slowly (by my hypermiling standards) with such a powerful and comfortable car. How long is the final gear ? How slowly can you drive in last gear ?

Good questions - I posted about gears earlier but it needs an update.

From 1st to 3rd the speeds are between 0 and 20 mph but I don't know in detail as I'm watching traffic. Left to itself the box will go to 4th at 35, 5th at 43 and 6th at 50. Using the flappy paddles I can get 4th at 25, 5th at 35 and 6th at 45.

The box seems ok to hold gears quite well so I can get 5th at 35 and coast down to about 32-33 before it downshifts, 44 or so in 6th.

For 99% of the time the rpm is between 1500-2200.

In 6th 63 Mph (100 kph) the rpm is about 1900.

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by robchalmers

Hi Arra - I'm back too, I love the fact you gone for a big estate, glad you gone german too - couldn't find one in my price range so I went cheap and went french!

what mph/Krpm is your top cog? I must admit having a 'relatively' new comfy mile eater is sooo much better than our previous little cars (Helga/Chug) although I think mine is a little tooo cosseting as I've found a 'notch' where the car will sit on a lighter throttle @130kph than 110kph.... does yours?

Hi Rob.

I noticed the new motor on a post of yours the other day. The post above has my gearing but being a V6 it drinks Diesel...

And agreed the comfort is nice....

....but Audi parts are very spendy

[robchalmers]

psssttt that v6 is in the Transporter..... and parts are a little cheaper (being VW non MUCH cheaper... but cheaper)

[Arragonis]

I shall remember that gem.

[Vekke]

Is the cars fuel consumption gauge accurate in your audi? I test drove A8 with 2.5 TDI today and was able to get it to 5.3 liters with no practice at 80 km/h+ speed. That seemed too good corserning best driver on spiritmonitor gets 6,9 liters on his best tank :/

[HypermilerAX]

That's completely possible. I calculated 5.0 l/100 km at 80 km/h with these datas :
1800 kg
Cr : 0,010
CdA : 0,62 (official)
Efficiency : 20%

Spritmonitor is not really a reference when it comes to low consumptions. My nearest competitor is 20% over me...
Besides, someone driving slow is an A8 will always drive faster than someone driving slow in a Lupo 3L. What I mean is that people with bigger cars are less concerned by efficiency (on average, doesn't mean that all big car drivers don't care about efficiency of course), that's why you don't see that much low consumptions on an A8 compared to a Lupo 3L for example.

The 2013 model with the V6 3.0 TDI has an extra-urban consumption (easily achievable at 80) of 5,2 l/100 km so under 5 l for the 2.5 TDI I guess. Your 5.3 l doesn't surprise me.

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by Vekke

Is the cars fuel consumption gauge accurate in your audi? I test drove A8 with 2.5 TDI today and was able to get it to 5.3 liters with no practice at 80 km/h+ speed. That seemed too good corserning best driver on spiritmonitor gets 6,9 liters on his best tank :/

It is as accurate as most VAG on board displays - so not very much.

I have yet to test it tank to tank but I can easily get 55-60 MPG in Hermann in a day and this is a slushmatic Auto. With your skills that figure would probably be about right for an A8 manual.

I'm confused on gauges as I had the SG2 (calibrated) reading 21.5 MPG at the same time as the on board displayed 43 MPG for over 500 metres going up my own street.

I'm waiting for this tank (maybe 2 weeks) to know for sure - I don't drive far...

[Arragonis]

Based on the OBD displays I checked out the trip MPGs for Hermann (this V6 Audi) vs Mildred - Mrs A's company Prius.

Mrs A and I did the same trip to the same customer on 2 seperate days. The weather on both was about the same - clear skies, little wind. The temps were also about the same 21C for her trip (according to BBC weather) and 20 for me. We both used cruise at the speed limit which is mostly 70 (motorway) but has bits that drop to 60 and even 50.

The AVG for Mildred is 52, for Hermann 49 - so 6% difference.

Of course at critical moments in the trip (going through towns etc.) means different driving patterns - cut up, braking, accelerating, keeping pace. Neither of us drove EM style with hypermiling etc.

[320touring]

Wow, a right about turn in transportation!

looks good- hope you've got the "bumper magnets" turned right up so you can get a tow off folks on the motorway;-P

I'm back in my trusty 320- first full tank with the 3.73 diff was 35mpg- not too far off your Audi's commute..

but you have 4wd- I dont

hope all is well anywa- got any modding plans for the A6?

[Arragonis]

What happened to the Golf, did it finally expire ?

No mod plans yet - getting Mr Audi to fix some rust (12 year warranty apparently then maybe some aero. Tyres are up high-ish at the moment.