Not sure I quite understand what you mean. Isn't it just the same as the 2.0TSI say, in the Octy vRS FL - having the option of DSG or manual? Why does this 1.4TSI in the Fabia2 vRS only work well because it's mated to a DSG 'box?

+1

I'd be interested to know this too as I'm thinking about booking a test drive soon.

Also, how long have you got for the test drive? I would realistically like a good few days to see if I really liked it and to double check if it would fit in my garage without to much bother but I'm unsure if they do that?

You used to be able to get Vauxhall & Ford products on extended test drives (48/72 hours) but your idea might be pushing it a bit ? but good luck !...let us know.

I wish that would become a bit more widespread. How you're supposed to find out in a 20 minute test drive whether it's the right car for you at £XXk I don't know.

They'd probably have to charge for it, and insurance would be an issue etc - maybe a bit liking going to Enterprise and hiring a car? That sort of process. But if I were in the car selling business it's certainly something I'd explore, to allow potential buyers to experience the car properly.

Steve

I had a quick test drive to know I liked it.

Two weeks later I asked if I could have one for the afternoon, just to see if my Mrs would like driving it.

No problem at my dealer

I wish that would become a bit more widespread. How you're supposed to find out in a 20 minute test drive whether it's the right car for you at £XXk I don't know.

Exactly my thoughts. Ive read differing points of view about the DSG box & to really know if I would get on with it I would want to drive roads that I drive frequently, not a set route the dealer has in mind. Would be an expensive mistake if I found I didn't like it, thats for sure!

Two weeks later I asked if I could have one for the afternoon, just to see if my Mrs would like driving it.

No problem at my dealer

Nice to hear they do let them out their sight for over an hour. Will give my local dealer a call & see what they can offer.

Exactly my thoughts. Ive read differing points of view about the DSG box & to really know if I would get on with it I would want to drive roads that I drive frequently, not a set route the dealer has in mind. Would be an expensive mistake if I found I didn't like it, thats for sure!

Nice to hear they do let them out their sight for over an hour. Will give my local dealer a call & see what they can offer.

Does depend on the dealer. Have seen widely differing practices, even among Skoda dealers, never mind other manufacturers. My original Mk1 test drive was a bit like that - dealer just said bring it back when you got bored! Tried it for about an hour and a half on as varied a test route as I could conjure up, and the rest is history

the way i look at it. the only people who say they dont like DSG are guys who havent used it long term and have never had it on their own car. Speak to any guy who has personally had DSG and they all say they could never go back to a manual.

it 100% does not detract from the driving dynamic, it means your not trying to snatch a gear change, instead you have both hands on the wheel, and you can concentrate on going faster.

It felt really awkward to me at first, but once you get used to it, it really is excellent, and i really drove the car hard.

Also with the test drive you need it to last alot more than their 20minute window. I told them there was no way i would be chucking 14k their way unless i knew i liked the car. I asked him to make sure it had over 1/4 of a tank and said ill be around an hour or so, that way i can get lanes, motorway and town roads in on the test drive with all the mixtures of driving

I had the car out for 30 mins and instantly liked the DSG box. It meant you could fully concentrate on the road with 2 hands on the wheel.

infact its better driving with the DSG as using the paddles as much more like driving a rally/racing car and you still have to change at the right time - the only difference i notice is that you dont have to press a clutch to change, meaning that you dont end up slipping the clutch whilst pulling away (meaning a rather nice smell) or get the crunch when you try to change to quick.

im 22 and would not go back to a manual now i have the vRS dsg!

infact its better driving with the DSG as using the paddles as much more like driving a rally/racing car and you still have to change at the right time

Changing on time is what I really want to explore with the DSG and whether it changes when I want to change gear, both up or down and not when it thinks I want it to change. I really don't think this is possible with a 30 minute test drive as I would think I would need a fair while to learn how the car drives in each gear so I can select the optimal gear for say a corner or roundabout for example. I'm also interested to see how it engine brakes, if at all, as I'm so used to doing it.

Just to make it clear, I'm not against DSG as I can see the many benefits of it over a manual but would just like to get a good feel for it to know if I liked it.

Anyway, had a look through the dealers window last night after they had closed and I must say the new vRS looks a lot better in the flesh.

Looking forward to driving one.

Edited 11 January, 201115 yr by The_Judderman

when in manual mode it will only change up when held on the red line or if the revs go so low it would stall. to get manual mode, put into D the push the stick towards the passenger my favorite mode :p

After taking the test drive and driving my dads Golf 160 BHP DSG I think as people have said its going to be a new experience but a very likable one. On both cars the change was smooth and the two hands on the wheel will be interesting ! I did not try out the paddles on the test drive but will of course give them a go when i get the car, that will be something new too.

Everyone generally likes the DSG and although its far removed as a car from what the first Fabia VRS was it seems to make sense that Skoda have created another 'classic niche car' but speccing in out this way with the DSG and the Small power engine.

When Mark 3 comes out in years to come the forums will be full of praise for this model I am sure and there will be diehards defending the DSG as diehards are now defending the Mark I diesel.

All in all its only good for Skoda as a brand.

the DSG will change at a predetermined RPM. This RPM will have been chosen as it is the otpimum point to change. this means that when the revs drop they are at the optimum point for torque/bhp in the next gear.

Once remapped and when there are DSG remaps out, this wil be able to be altered to suit the powerband/delivery

Are the DSG remaps not already out? They are listed on the Revo website I think. Another thing to watch out for if you are using it for track use, is the brakes overheating. Read of several issues due to the electronic LSD braking the wheels.

Janner_Sy - have you seen this Ibiza?

I personally thought Revo's line of DSG remaps were for the wet DSG boxes, not the dry one used by the Fabia2 vRS.

http://products.revotechnik.com/products/softwareProduct.aspx?pvID=1238 - might have to call them if you wanted one for the Fabia I guess, as there isn't one listed at present.

Had it on a IS250 when I had a Lexus, I hated it then , the dsg in skoda is the same, if you don't like something you don't like it, try eating a food for a week you do not like, just because you keep eating it wont make you like it. When I got back my manual Lexus back it was brilliant.

I had a quick test drive to know I liked it.

Two weeks later I asked if I could have one for the afternoon, just to see if my Mrs would like driving it.

No problem at my dealer

Was this Rainworth Skoda by any chance? I know when I booked a test drive I was given the keys and told see you later! No time limit set at all - very laid back and not what I expected!!

Are the DSG remaps not already out? They are listed on the Revo website I think. Another thing to watch out for if you are using it for track use, is the brakes overheating. Read of several issues due to the electronic LSD braking the wheels.

Janner_Sy - have you seen this Ibiza?

yeah seen that car. Its entirely stripped out with lightweight bucket seats, stage 1 revo, coilovers and semi slcik R888 tyres. Still impressive though.

The 6spd DSG (wet box) is already out. 7 spd(Dry) is in the process of being developed by revo. P-torque reckon they have one out this week.

http://products.revotechnik.com/products/softwareProduct.aspx?pvID=1238 - might have to call them if you wanted one for the Fabia I guess, as there isn't one listed at present.

they can remap it, its the same map as on the ibiza but they need to remove your ECU and open it from what i gather after speaking to JKM about it. from what i gather to make REVO claimed figures though you need an intake or a generous rolling road. but thats always the same ive found

Was this Rainworth Skoda by any chance? I know when I booked a test drive I was given the keys and told see you later! No time limit set at all - very laid back and not what I expected!!

It was at Rainworth Skoda

The 6spd DSG (wet box) is already out. 7 spd(Dry) is in the process of being developed by revo. P-torque reckon they have one out this week.

As you say, Revo have DSG software for the 1.4TSi box in development. I dropped them a line yesterday and got this reply:

"We currently only have the engine software developed for the 1.4TSi twincharger. We are still currently developing the DSG software."