Audi R8 hesitates when accelerating I own a new Audi R8 V8 manual and have noticed a hesitation when accelerating hard from 30mph in third gear. It turns out that this corresponds with the EC drive-by noise test, so, to pass, Audi has programmed in momentary throttle damping. I have applied an interrogation program via the OBDII port. When accelerating hard from 30mph, I found the actual throttle opening temporarily reduces to just 15 per cent. This could make overtaking potentially risky. I drove this car and GC is correct. The throttle damping is not only shown on the interrogator, but can be felt as a sort of roller-coaster effect (albeit only when accelerating hard in third gear from 30mph). It is momentary and irritating, but I doubt it is legally actionable as a fault.