So pretty much all modern cars are operated via drive by wire, and a lot of people have complained about the crappy throttle response when trying to accelerate the car from a stop. There is a delay of approximately 1 second or so from what I can tell before the car gets up and running. Does anyone know if the new 48v mild hybrid cars in the new Audi's alleviate this problem because of the instant throttle response from the electric engines?

The 2021 Panamera models are supposed to have this new mild hybrid tech and Im hoping that mashing the gas pedal will result in instantaneous movement. Its also supposed to help out with the turbo lag as well which is a bonus. Makes me glad i have waited this long for a panamera vs. buying a 2017-2020 model

Also pretty curious as to how much extra weight the 48v system will add.

 

I currently have a 2019 Q8 that has the mild hybrid setup. In the Q8 it is only used to supplement the auto-start system and the air suspension. I think in the S and RS cars it may also help spin up the turbos and power the anti-roll bars but the system does not drive the wheels in any configuration so you never get the advantage of instant electric power.

For the Q8 the system has actually resulted in terrible lag in some situations since it engages auto start stop so early. They're are pages of complaints on the Q8 forum over on Audi World and to the NHSTA. After owning the Q8 for nearly a year I really can't understand the value of the system given the weight it adds for the batteries and the lag. It will be interesting to see what reviews say about the new S6 and S7 since they have the 2.9L engine + 48v mild hybrid system.

 

how much added weight is there would you say? I plan on being in sport mode at all times which requires only a simple turn of the sport chrono switch so I can avoid the whole start/stop function altogether

 

I keep my Q8 in sport most of the time for the same reason. I am not too sure about weight as the car is already quite heavy and you can't get it without this system. I think the battery is only 0.5 kWh and there is a small cooling system for the battery.

 

I would estimate 55lbs. Cars are seriously going to **** nowadays due to emissions control. The whole start/stop nonsense plus the poor throttle response nonsense and transmission nonsense all across the board are ruining the quality of automobiles. I think a taycan 3 years down the road might be a good buy for city driving because electric cars are unaffected by these problems.

 

Totally agree. The only time this system has been useful for me is sitting waiting in the car for something. It will turn off the engine but keep the AC and other systems going for quite a while before having to turn things back on. It definitely isn't worth hauling around the extra weight all the time.

I just picked up a panamara turbo sport turismo to replace the Q8 while I wait for the Taycan or E-Tron GT (Audi's Taycan) to hit the used market. At that point I may try out full electric.

 

Toss in one of those sprint boosters or another pedal controller and lag is almost a memory. My 18 turbo is quite snappy with the sprint booster.