They won't fit it to "cheaper" models already, as we shouldn't be driving them like lunatics, rather like the Granny's shopping trolley that they are.

So alloys are better to sell than ESC etc. Until recently, when it became the latest big thing to have.

I've never been in a situation to need it, but I have used ABS. DOes that mean it isn't important? nope, I just wouldn't get too upset if my new car didn't have it or select a car because it did (and for no other reason).

And too many TLAs in this thread now. IMO. LOL.

I don't think its about it being 'the latest thing' but rather a safety feature. It has kicked in several times on my mazda over the years and i wouldn't buy a car without it. I'm neither a lunatic nor a trolley-pushing Granny by the way.

One memorable occasion of using it was when giving a lift to my neighbour in the Highlands who'd had to abandon his (much more expensive) jaguar at the bottom of the hill because it didn't have ESP/ESC.

p.s. what is a TLA?

I had to Switch of the ESC off (Electronic Stability Control) on my Hyundia i130 TDi Auto. to get it to climb any icy surface or off camber snowy slopes going forward.

As soon as you thought you were moving forward it would detect a slipping tyre and brake a wheel and you were slipping sideways again.

The first time i took it out in & it snowed i ended up having to reverse out of a car park and crawl home because you could only disable it for short periods, then it activated again.

I had a Toyota iQ that was really good in the snow on summer tyres but again needed the ESC inhibited to proceed without hassle on ice.

(the ESP braking the rear wheels could make for interesting handling when nipping on in normal/damp conditions)

I have also driven 2 Bippers without ESC & a Qubo with, and the Bippers were better IMO.

(maybe not in Elk Tests)

ESC is certainly not high in my 'must have', just another thing to cause future problems on cars that are keepers.

Another safety measure now to be compulsory on vehicles to make everyone safer.

Lets hope there will always be an 'off button'.

george

Personally I understand the concern to have it in your new car as it can ultimately be a life-saver (remember those demonstrating videos when you had to quickly perform a double direction change in order to avoid a say box that fell from the lorry in front on you and then avoid the traffic from the opposite lane and get back in yours?) It may never happen to most of us in a lifetime but when it does, touch wood, it would be good to be able to recover as fast as possible and the ESP is the only effective way to do it up to now. Remember you may not be the driver that has to perform this escape move but just the guy at the opposite lane that passes next to him. In that case I'd feel more safe if he had ESP in his car.

Edited 13 February, 201313 yr by newbie69

TLA - three letter abbreviation!

Totally understand, but Traction Control is not the same as Electronic Stability Control (as I understand it).

One stops you spinning all your drive away on ice/wet/gravel etc, the other does some braking jiggery pokery to stop your car spinning if you execute a sharp manoeuvre.

I wasn't implying you were a tearaway, more that I believe that Skoda's logic is that the Fabia and Citigo don't need such things as standard, as it probably wasn't at the forefront of anyone's shopping list (whereas alloys, air con and ipod connection might be).

Since it has become more prevalent in the media (I've seen it in papers and on the TV recently), people become more aware.

A bit like being upset about horse meat in their value microwave meals that taste of cardboard...

I totally agree that the majority only want something when the media tell them they do. I wasn't aware of ESC in the media though (or its other TLA names )

It was on my shopping list five years ago when i bought my Mazda and has been valuable enough for me to want it again on my new purchase. When you live on winding country lanes without a gritter in sight it is really useful.

I really do not understand what assistance it gives you on a country road with no gritter.

Do you mean Traction Control or ESC.

I am just back in from a slidy run around town and no Gritter.

The ESC was off to assist in keeping moving.

Tyres that lack traction for a surface are not improved by the operation of ESC, IME.

george

I think you are overestimating the regularity of the esp function. It is not needed very often. To my knowledge it has only kicked in on my car less than 10 times in the six years i have owned it, but i'm glad it was there.

I believe that traction control prevents the wheels from losing grip when driving along and 9 times out of 10 this is all you need. If conditions are like those on your pictures then traction control should do it.

However in worse conditions, thicker ice etc then you might momentarily lose control of the vehicles intended direction, this is where esc helps. It helps you to regain control if you have momentarily lost it.

ESP isn't for every time it snows.

Do you have a ESC operating warning light?

Nothing to do with snow, i feel it at times on various vehicles in action that can be a PITA if it is doing its own thing when you are not wanting that.

I see the benefits for some people, but the action on front wheels with front wheel drive can be a pest,

the action on rear wheels can be more than a pest.

Obviously just my opinion.

george

I really do not understand what assistance it gives you on a country road with no gritter.

Do you mean Traction Control or ESC.

I am just back in from a slidy run around town and no Gritter.

The ESC was off to assist in keeping moving.

Tyres that lack traction for a surface are not improved by the operation of ESC, IME.

george

Agreed. In certain conditions, electronic aids will not stop anyone from falling in a ditch. The only difference is, when the ESC is on, the car will go into the ditch facing forward. If it were off, the car would end up in the ditch sideways, or even going backwards.

I'm not saying electronic aids are not useful, but they do work best when driving with common sense.

Edited 13 February, 201313 yr by FAB59

Ah well, it works for me.

Yes a light comes on when it kicks in. Not actually kicked in this winter mind.

Found it useful while tip toeing round the ice covered lanes round here. Even with winter tyres the light comes on regularly, as the system catches the car trying to go of track, and no were not going fast, the little TSI is not heavy enough to give the winters any bite.

Found the same with both the MC and the previous Elegance both of which have ESP+

TP