AWD configuration/hard driving

[Sam S]

What kind of AWD system is the A7 using? Does the car send full power to a center differential and then split it to front rear from there or is it built into the trans? I am trying to figure out if power is sent to all 4 wheels constantly, or if the car operates in RWD until slip (or other criteria) is detected. For example, My 08 Infiniti G35x would be RWD until slip or a specific % of throttle was detected. The other day when turning hard at low speed I felt a vibration which leads me to believe that the car has a center differential.

I am wondering because I tend to ... ahh... enjoy sliding my car. In my Infiniti I could kick out the rear before the AWD would kick in, which made for a lot of fun on wet pavement. Has anyone been able to slide their A7s?

Also, from your experience, are the transmissions and differentials in the A7 reliable under hard driving such as the above mentioned? I never had to worry about my G35x as I would beat the car to all hell without any issues. How are the A7s? Should I worry about low speed ... ahh... extreme maneuvers?

Thanks in advance.

[jrsAudiA6]

The AWD (Quattro) system employed by Audi on the C7 is the 6th generation of their QUATTRO system. This 6th generation employs a "Crown Gear" center differential. This allows for as much as 70% of torque to be applied to the front wheels and 85% of torque to be applied to the rear wheels. Power is applied to all 4 wheels all of the time with the torque vectoring between front to rear as needed. The center differential is located in the rear section of the transmission. Audi's QUATTRO system is probably the most reliable AWD system on the road. As far as being able to handle spirited driving, that should be no problem. I have driven MY12 A6 on the track at over 18 HPDE events in the 5+ years I have owned the car. Absolutely no problems with the QUATTRO system.

[LINDW4LL]

JR nailed it. One additional bit of info is that the default torque split is 60% rear, 40% front.

[2wookies]

I like turning off traction control and doing hard turns at full power, she kicks out nicely.

[Sam S]

Thanks a lot guys. 2wookies, great news. Under such conditions do u feel a strong vibration from the transfer case? Also, when my car is cold and I'm driving out of work parking lot the transmission feels like shit. It down shifts and clucks hard when I'm driving under 5 mph car has paddle shifters but I don't use them I just don't know if that's a different transmission. It's a 2015 with 8k miles.

[zcd2.7t]

With no disrespect intended, basically you bought the wrong car if you like powersliding/oversteer...

Audi's quattro mechanical AWD system isn't designed to allow much of that... (as opposed to part-time/electronic AWD systems which can be programmed to or "tricked into" some oversteer before the electronics put an end to it...)

[zcd2.7t]

...when my car is cold and I'm driving out of work parking lot the transmission feels like shit. It down shifts and clucks hard...

Translation/clarification needed...

[Sam S]

Yes I understand that the car isn't a good choice for sliding but I wanted the awd above all. I just like to kick out the rear end a little sometimes.

Yea sorry about the poor English, it's hard to type on a phone and walk a dog. Lol. My question about hard driving is:
When I drive the car while it's cold (first start after a few hours) the transmission feels like junk or very harsh. Topically when driving at low speeds like 10mph. The car shifts into second fine but when I press the brakes it down shifts very hard and gives a shuttering feeling. Almost like a manual car right before it stalls. Has anyone else experienced this harsh transmission feeling. Yes I also understand that I shouldn't be driving the car without warming it up but sometimes I just don't have time for that.

[Ze_Nardo6]

Yes I understand that the car isn't a good choice for sliding but I wanted the awd above all. I just like to kick out the rear end a little sometimes.

Yea sorry about the poor English, it's hard to type on a phone and walk a dog. Lol. My question about hard driving is:
When I drive the car while it's cold (first start after a few hours) the transmission feels like junk or very harsh. Topically when driving at low speeds like 10mph. The car shifts into second fine but when I press the brakes it down shifts very hard and gives a shuttering feeling. Almost like a manual car right before it stalls. Has anyone else experienced this harsh transmission feeling. Yes I also understand that I shouldn't be driving the car without warming it up but sometimes I just don't have time for that.

That is not right, obviously. Assuming you're still under warranty given MY15? I would take that into Audi ASAP

[Sanjman]

The hard turn vibration is normal for the Audi Quattro

[MileMan402]

The AWD (Quattro) system employed by Audi on the C7 is the 6th generation of their QUATTRO system. This 6th generation employs a "Crown Gear" center differential. This allows for as much as 70% of torque to be applied to the front wheels and 85% of torque to be applied to the rear wheels. Power is applied to all 4 wheels all of the time with the torque vectoring between front to rear as needed. The center differential is located in the rear section of the transmission. Audi's QUATTRO system is probably the most reliable AWD system on the road. As far as being able to handle spirited driving, that should be no problem. I have driven MY12 A6 on the track at over 18 HPDE events in the 5+ years I have owned the car. Absolutely no problems with the QUATTRO system.

I thought that only cars equipped with the S-tronic trans have the crown gear center diff?

[Sam S]

How do I know if I have the s-tropic trans? It's a 2015 premium plus with s badges and paddle shifters.

[_SILENCER]

The hard turn vibration is normal for the Audi Quattro

I experienced that yesterday as a passenger in a friend's R8.
For 160 grand, that kind of insane wheel vibration is way unacceptable.

[zcd2.7t]

...that kind of insane wheel vibration is way unacceptable.

With no offense intended, this statement means that you don't really understand the concept of a mechanical AWD system. It's inevitable that some windup/binding will occur in very tight (meaning full-steering-lock) turns where the difference in speed between the outside wheels and the inside wheels is greater than the mechanical connection between the wheels can accommodate.

[goliath1]

If you ever owned a 4WD truck and put it in hi-gear on a dry road you'll reproduce the chatter...only 10 times worse. I notice it but dealer and everyone on these forums say don't worry as it is normal operation of the drivetrain. I think you'll find this is common on many AWD vehicles with this driveline design.