Meh, Australia doesn't have any twisty windy roads. Don't they put corners into Aussie roads to keep people awake?

I can partly agree. There have been some awesome windy bits of road around that have now been bypassed and the old road no longer accessable. But there are still plenty of good windy bits of road around, right up the east coast of Australia.

Happy Days.

The 6-speed DSG in the vRS is a different beast to the 7-speed fitted in the 1.2 that I had as a courtesy car for quite a while - in fact if I'd have driven the 1.2 DSG then I'd never have even considered having a DSG equipped vRS (I had forgotten how different they were and was starting to regret getting the DSG while not being able to drive it).

The 7-speed is definitely tuned for economy - it would change into 2nd whilst just creeping forward without me going anywhere near the throttle. That said, the courtesy car was also suffering from the clutch pack fault with a very juddery take-off and change into 2nd which made it quite unpleasant to use. The 1.2, whilst adequate with just the driver if driven in sport was also left wanting for both power (but mainly torque) with three or more in the vehicle when you surprised it by wanting immediate power for an overtake or similar.

Back to the 6-speed in the vRS - while it can be very relaxing in cruise mode (in fact it was this trait that sold it to me), when giving it a bit more throttle it responds nicely as well. I'm sure that as we get to know each other better I'll fall out with it when it wants to be in a different gear to the one I want it to be in, but if I'm driving it in such a manner that exact gears are important it will probably have been put into "manual" mode by then anyway! An added side affect of the DSG is that it has improved the wife's gear changes no end - no more whiplash as we change from 1st to 2nd etc anymore The amount of choices does still confuse her so I've had to tell her to just use P, R & D. She seems happy with that.

Wife drive the car ????...... Strange concept that I don't fully understand lol

She uses it for work. I only work about 3 miles from home and there is no car parking so my "main" car these days is a 125cc scooter - perfect transport really as I can actually park it at work and only £7 in fuel every two weeks or so (plus I can filter past traffic waiting at red lights etc). That said, I do miss having a heater and roof at this time of year.

It's also the wife's idea that we need to sell the Land Rover as that doesn't get used at all anymore :(

The amount of choices does still confuse her so I've had to tell her to just use P, R & D. She seems happy with that.

LOL..........Ditto with my wife!

Wife drive the car ????...... Strange concept that I don't fully understand lol

+1 so far nearly 2 months in I've manage to keep the keys..... Polished her Seat today too as a ploy to keep her happy!

LOL..........Ditto with my wife!

will be +1 for me too

The 7-speed is definitely tuned for economy - it would change into 2nd whilst just creeping forward without me going anywhere near the throttle. That said, the courtesy car was also suffering from the clutch pack fault with a very juddery take-off and change into 2nd which made it quite unpleasant to use. The 1.2, whilst adequate with just the driver if driven in sport was also left wanting for both power (but mainly torque) with three or more in the vehicle when you surprised it by wanting immediate power for an overtake or similar.

You need to try a properly functioning 7 speed coupled to a 1.8TSi

1st gear is VERY low - more like a 3/4 gear - designed to get the car moving. If you trickle along with foot off throttle on the flat it still changes up to 2nd.

In S mode in hangs onto 1st a little longer but not much.

7th is a very high economy cruise gear - 2300 rpm @ 70mph - same as my old 1.9TDi. It makes for very relaxed motorway cruising. In S mode 7th is only selected if you activate cruise control.

The CVT used in the Prius is a type that only works because of the electric motor. You've got a planetary with the IC engine on one input and the electric motor on the other. The electric motor varies it's speed to change the output. Stop the electric motor and you've only got one gear. Not workable in a conventional car unfortunately. But tractors use a similar setup, with a hydraulic motor instead of electric for the speed control. Fine for plowing, but not for open road speeds.

Yes tractors do use a similar set up, i.e. hydraulic motor but that is better on the road rather than ploughing due to the inefficiencies and cost of the unit. It is mainly used on tractors which need infinitely variable gearboxes. The last tractor I drove for a mate had this set up, a John Deere. It is interesting to note that John Deere have just released a new box called directdrive, it is essentially an 8 speed DSG box coupled to 3 automatically selected ranges. It is a lot more efficient box the same tractors giving different fuel consumptions, the DSG being much better.

Ian

There wouldn't be many downsides in a tractor application. Plenty of time to get the next gear and more consistent throttle application so it won't get confused.

8 gears is the major benefit too.

You need to try a properly functioning 7 speed coupled to a 1.8TSi

1st gear is VERY low - more like a 3/4 gear - designed to get the car moving. If you trickle along with foot off throttle on the flat it still changes up to 2nd.

In S mode in hangs onto 1st a little longer but not much.

7th is a very high economy cruise gear - 2300 rpm @ 70mph - same as my old 1.9TDi. It makes for very relaxed motorway cruising. In S mode 7th is only selected if you activate cruise control.

I think some of the problem (as you have said) is probably the asthmatic engine that the DSG was mated to. It's worlds apart from the CR in my vRS. I am sure that mated to a decent engine then it would be different again - the refinement of the petrol was also noticeable.

The amount of choices does still confuse her so I've had to tell her to just use P, R & D.

As I said, that is what I told my wife too......however I am slowly introducing her to the concept of using N, when stopped at lights or heavy traffic etc. She's slowly getting it.

Next thing you know you'll be on a push bike! At least with manual they've got to work out they have to depress the clutch before it'll start, then there's 6 gears they have to select themselves, .p D for dunce option!... God help my DFM!

An added side affect of the DSG is that it has improved the wife's gear changes no end - no more whiplash as we change from 1st to 2nd etc anymore The amount of choices does still confuse her so I've had to tell her to just use P, R & D. She seems happy with that.

Dont make the mistake of trying to advise your missus of how to change gear more smoothly. I did and it doidnt go down well.

I weep for the clutch everytime she changes into 3rd in her rav 4. Her last car was an auto and her next car will be also when shes due one in a couple of years. When she drives mine i told her the same thing. All you need it "D" mode. Shes happy with that. Didnt even tell her there were paddles as it would just get messy.

One look at the wife's alloys on her Seat Leon and there is no way in hell she will ever get to drive the Blackline - FACT!

I just realised how lucky I am.

My wife prefers driving manuals, has only kerbed one wheel ever, can drive winding roads smoothly at pace and doesen't re-cut corners.

Mind you, it was painful at times getting to that point.

My wife is a good driver. Never had a prob with her driving my cars. Infact i've kerbed more wheels than her! Always used to shock me the mpg she could get from them. She's ultra smooth. The Octavia I got yesterday will be her first drive of an Auto of any type. She's got no concerns at all though about it.

I think i'd find it really frustrating have a wife who was a crap driver.

My wife is a good driver. Never had a prob with her driving my cars. Infact i've kerbed more wheels than her! Always used to shock me the mpg she could get from them. She's ultra smooth. The Octavia I got yesterday will be her first drive of an Auto of any type. She's got no concerns at all though about it.

I think i'd find it really frustrating have a wife who was a crap driver.

Dont get me started on MPG. My god it does my head in the way she accelerates then brakes constantly, cant read the road ahead to avoid braking unless absolutely neccessary. Doenst have much impact of her "wife" abilities however as i normally drive if i can so as long as she is happy. For your own happyness just learn to keep your mouth shut when she drives. Not easy but its worth it in the long run. No one likes getting their driving critiscised so the outcome is never good despite your best intentions. As i said though i didnt fancy her for her driving abilities.

There wouldn't be many downsides in a tractor application. Plenty of time to get the next gear and more consistent throttle application so it won't get confused.

8 gears is the major benefit too.

Agreed, there are usually only 2 throttle positions for a tractor looking at some of the people I have watched working!!

My wife is a good driver. Never had a prob with her driving my cars. Infact i've kerbed more wheels than her! Always used to shock me the mpg she could get from them. She's ultra smooth. The Octavia I got yesterday will be her first drive of an Auto of any type. She's got no concerns at all though about it.

I think i'd find it really frustrating have a wife who was a crap driver.

Frustrating's not the word you're looking for... try FRIGHTENING!

On the subject of wives driving,

I went to see the air show.

There were gasps of "Ooh" and "Aah" as the crowds watched on in amazement. Near miss after near miss had some people covering their eyes and shaking their heads in disbelief.

It was a good half hour, but in the end, my wife finally managed to park the car and we made our way to see the planes!!

On the subject of wives driving,

I went to see the air show.

There were gasps of "Ooh" and "Aah" as the crowds watched on in amazement. Near miss after near miss had some people covering their eyes and shaking their heads in disbelief.

It was a good half hour, but in the end, my wife finally managed to park the car and we made our way to see the planes!!

LOL. Hopefully you saw some of it through the sunroof?