Gordon's first 1000 miles

Gordon, our 1.4TSi Elegance has now completed his first 1000 miles, so I thought it would be a good time for a first impressions report. First the good bits, the engine is really very quiet below 2000 rpm, and not much noisier at higher speeds. An added bonnet pad makes a small but worthwhile reduction of higher frequency noise. I tend to drive between 1400 and 2200 rpm when tootling about on A and B roads (the majority of our normal journeys) but he will pull without fuss from about 1200 on the level and is extraordinarily smooth. I can now just about predict when the “nagicator” will ask for an upshift. It’s quite easy to hold a normal conversation with rear seat passengers, or listen to the very good stereo without needing to turn it up. MPG is quite sensitive to driving style, and the maxidot reports anywhere between 35 and 43 for a single journey with an overall average of 37 which is backed up by what I have put in the tank since new. I guess this may improve a little with more running in. He is also an excellent “warmer upper” and shows normal water temp after about a mile and a half. Ride over large slow undulations is good, and cornering grip and general responsiveness better than expected. Parents and in-laws enjoy the space in the back, and there is room for the dog bed on the left with the right hand floor section raised for storage of other stuff in the well (He has a spare wheel). The Xenon headlights are absolutely first rate, and well worth having. Now for the minor quibbles, the gearchange seems to fight back in a squishy sort of way when selecting first at standstill, but improves when one is just rolling to a halt (which you would think would be worse). All other changes are sweet and easy. There is a big gap to second gear, so no more dropping to a crawl and pulling away in second. The maxidot roller selector is forever being knocked accidentally by my right palm. Being of long legs and short arms I find the steering wheel still too high and too far away even when fully adjusted. Leather seats are firm on the bum, maybe they will mould to shape with time. The ride over sharp bumps and speed bumps is fine up to a critical speed (say 8 mph) then the dampers really stiffen up, so I still have to creep over speed bumps the same as in my old A3 which is a bit disappointing. Finally, overtaking performance once dropped down a couple of gears is nicely brisk, but when cruising on the motorway there seemed at first an apparent lack of power. This puzzled me, as I would get up to 70 then look down a while later and find I had dropped back to 65. My theory is that the throttle spring is quite stiff, so with the natural weight of the foot the cruising speed is 65, and to go faster one needs to actively press harder to stay in the “low revs with open throttle” operating region that tall gearing demands. Overall very pleased so far, and always look forward to taking him out for a run.