Gearshift Strategy
Gearshift Strategy
The center console includes a Sport and Sport Plus button. The basic gearshift characteristics change, depending on which button is pressed.
Driving in selector-lever position "M", Sport and Sport Plus button not active
Upshifts and downshifts can be performed both on the steering wheel and using the selector lever. Gearshift comfort is therefore adaptive over the entire operating range and adapts to suit the driver's individual driving style. For improved gearshift comfort, the engine torque is reduced while changing gears. Downshifts in deceleration state are accomplished with very little intermediate throttle application and are therefore hardly audible. To avoid under-revving and the associated loss of driving comfort, the current gear is switched down to the next lower gear at engine speeds of less than approx. 1,200 rpm. An upshift at the engine speed limit is only accomplished if there is a kickdown in the speed limiting range (panic shifting). The vehicle always moves off in 1st gear. The Launch Control function (racing start) is not available.
Driving in selector-lever position "M", Sport button active
Upshifts and downshifts can be performed both on the steering wheel and using the selector lever. Gearshift comfort is thus adaptive over the entire operating range and adapts to suit the driver's individual driving style, but basic sportiness is increased. The engine torque is reduced only slightly while changing gears. Downshifts in deceleration state are accomplished with intermediate throttle application. To avoid under-revving and the associated loss of driving comfort, the current gear is switched down to the next lower gear at an engine speed of less than approx. 1,200 rpm. An upshift at the engine speed limit is only accomplished if there is a kickdown in the speed limiting range (panic shifting). The vehicle always moves off in 1st gear. The Launch Control function (racing start) is not available.
Driving in selector-lever position "M", Sport Plus button active
Upshifts and downshifts can be performed both on the steering wheel and using the selector lever. Gearshifts are not adaptive and are purely performance-oriented with a loss of comfort. In addition, the engine torque is not reduced while changing gears. Downshifts in deceleration state involve quick and audible intermediate throttle application with a sporty sound. To avoid under-revving and the associated loss of driving comfort, the current gear is switched down to the next lower gear at an engine speed of less than approx. 1,200 rpm. An upshift at the engine speed limit is only accomplished if there is a kickdown in the engine speed limit range (panic shifting). The vehicle always moves off in 1st gear. 7th gear is not used in this program. The Launch Control function (racing start) is available.
Driving in selector-lever position "D", Sport and Sport Plus button not active
When the selector lever is moved to position "D", an extremely intelligent driving program is activated. Shifting adapts continuously and almost seamlessly to the driving style and route profile over the entire operating range. Gearshifts and gear-changing speeds here are changed from economic/comfortable to sporty.
Gearshifts are essentially performed with more emphasis on comfort. Also for improved comfort, the engine torque is reduced during upshifts and downshifts. Downshifts in deceleration state and deceleration downshifts are accomplished with very little intermediate throttle application and are therefore hardly audible. The vehicle moves off in 1st gear.
Driving in selector-lever position "D", Sport active
An extremely intelligent driving program is also activated in this position and shifting adapts continuously and almost seamlessly to the driving style and route profile over the entire operating range. Basic sportiness is increased with faster pick-up and slower deceleration. Gearshifts are more performance-oriented and the engine torque is only reduced slightly during upshifts and downshifts.
Downshifts in deceleration state and deceleration downshifts are accomplished with intermediate throttle application and are therefore audible. The vehicle moves off in 1st gear. 7th gear is avoided for the most part and is engaged only at higher speeds.
Driving in selector-lever position "D", Sport Plus active
Shift map adaptations are not active in this program. The most sporty map is activated permanently.
Gearshifts are performance-oriented with reduced gearshift comfort. Downshifts in deceleration state and deceleration downshifts are accomplished with intermediate throttle application and are thus very audible. Gearshifts are performance-oriented and the engine torque is not reduced during upshifts and downshifts. The vehicle moves off in 1st gear. 7th gear is not available. The racing start function is available.
Adaptation of gearshift characteristics to driving style and route profile
Various measured values, such as accelerator pedal position, accelerator pedal change speed, axial and lateral acceleration, vehicle speed and engine speed as well as the steering angle, are used to adapt the gearshift characteristics almost continuously to the driving style and route profile. This adaptation is performed in "Normal" mode (no sport buttons pressed) and sometimes in "Sport" mode. No adaptation is performed in "Sport Plus" mode. When this adaptation is selected, the shift programme not only takes the driving style into consideration, but also road resistance. Changes in road resistance are particularly noticeable when driving uphill and on downward slopes. In addition, the PDK control unit forms an altitude correction factor, i.e. since the volumetric efficiency of the engine decreases as the altitude increases, the driver automatically accelerates more and the transmission would switch to a more shift-conducive map. This is detected by the altitude sensor and the optimal map is made available to the driver.