I have found the open road behavouir of the DSG to be impeccable, ditto for most urban driving.

The transmission keeps the diesel engine in the sweet spot for economy.

but stuff selecting "sport" setting, simply floor the pedal and let kickdown take over.

I can assure you the gear box will not change up too early.

marcus

I took the 170 tdi dsg for a test drive and the quality of the gear changes was fine. I just found that the box never allowed the engine to get off its knees before it changed up, this was in D. You can employ manual mode but this sort of defeats the object? Went for the six speed in the end and its a nice box. The new car replaces a Subaru Legacy 3R auto.  

AFIAK DSG's "learn" driving styles (fuzzy logic?) so if the previous users were slowish drivers then then the box will shift at low rpms.

 

Use the gas pedal with more"brio" then the car will change differently in "D", as for sport mode I think it's too aggressive for road driving, especially in traffic, even more so with a diesel.

 

Both our petrol cars are only just dropping down the power curve at red line (we have graphs to prove this.....) so shifting up at 6.500 rpm isn't such a problem.  

 

DC 

AFIAK DSG's "learn" driving styles (fuzzy logic?) so if the previous users were slowish drivers then then the box will shift at low rpms.

 

Use the gas pedal with more"brio" then the car will change differently in "D", as for sport mode I think it's too aggressive for road driving, especially in traffic, even more so with a diesel.

 

Both our petrol cars are only just dropping down the power curve at red line (we have graphs to prove this.....) so shifting up at 6.500 rpm isn't such a problem.  

 

DC 

 

Interesting, the sales guy did not point this out on the test drive as I recall ? It might just be me but even with a diesel engine I like to have a few rev's on before changing up, even when just mooching along (2000-2500 rpm). If the learning routine is throttle position dependant not sure it would work out what I wanted it to do ? unless you could put it in manual and drive around for a while and show it my preferred change up points? I have found economy does not suffer when using a light throttle and a few more rev's and if you need to slow down the engine has a few rev's to lose before changing down which provides predictable engine braking.   

Mooching along in a diesel is more like 1000-1500 rpm for me though I am on a PD engine which pulls better at the low end. The only time I'm heading past 2000 rpm without going for hard acceleration is to pass 60 mph in top gear on the 5 speed I have. Very impressed with the DSG in the CR140 Octavia I test drove though. I found it very smooth and predictable, though until they sort out the fuel economy hit you take compared to the 6 speed manual (I'm guessing the ratio for 6th is lower in the DSG) I wouldn't pay extra for it over the manual, much as I would enjoy the paddle gear change.

My experience is that different engines, size/tune, have different characters. The 2.0 CR 140 in my Superb seems to like rev's and be a bit more petrol like in its responses. The 170 CR unit is probably even more top end'y, for a diesel, at least the one fitted to my sisters Audi TT 6sp. I am also running a mk2 focus with the Ford 1.8 8v tdci engine and this feels happier pulling lower rev's. I naturally find myself changing up 300-400 rpm sooner driving this whilst moving along at the same pace. Having said that the ford is re-mapped to 140bhp/240lb/ft and the Superb is in standard tune.  

Almost done the first 1000 miles in my 13 plate elegance estate (170) and am loving DSG.. Coming from a manual Volvo it's so nice to go auto again for the first time in a long time... Really can't complain (except for the stop start - but that's a different topic)

Had a 170 twindoor 2009 manual and have this year changed to a 170 DSG estate. Fantastic.

Pros

So effortless

Lots of flexibility (can be a manual as auto)

Makes cruise control and park assist seem even better

Changes gear smother and faster than I ever could

Resale

Cons

MPG takes about a 3 to 4? MPG knock(fixed with race chip)

Up front cost

I have a sloped drive and reversing off in the morning when cold always seems a little all or nothing

I have been driving manuals for all my driving career (20 years or so) - and enjoy feeling of decision making a lot. Also while driving in deep snow - manual helps when stuck or engine braking on ice.

But this time I wanted 4x4, and it was possible only with DSG. So I took 170 HP version with DSG for test drive. Here are my impressions.

First of all - it shifts impressively. Quickly and without noticing it. I liked it.

But I have to admit I will have to change driving habits. With my manual Volvo with 460 Nm torque I usually overtake like this - put to 4th while driving behind the truck, then push pedal to the floor and put to 5th after overtaking. With DSG it is in 6th, then you push the pedal to the floor, then wait a bit, then it kick downs to 3rd, engine revs (you can hear the engine even with music playing loud), then puts to 4th and you finish overtaking.

Also in the city it is in 6th doing 50 km/h and revs are below 1500. If you start going uphill, o push the pedal just little bit - engine stugles at low revs for some time until it down****s to 4th. You can feel unpleasant vibration while engine works at low revs.

But the good news is, that DSG brain is adjusting itself to the driver, so after some time it shat adopt itself to my heavy foot.

I have been driving manuals for all my driving career (20 years or so) - and enjoy feeling of decision making a lot. Also while driving in deep snow - manual helps when stuck or engine braking on ice.

But this time I wanted 4x4, and it was possible only with DSG. So I took 170 HP version with DSG for test drive. Here are my impressions.

First of all - it shifts impressively. Quickly and without noticing it. I liked it.

But I have to admit I will have to change driving habits. With my manual Volvo with 460 Nm torque I usually overtake like this - put to 4th while driving behind the truck, then push pedal to the floor and put to 5th after overtaking. With DSG it is in 6th, then you push the pedal to the floor, then wait a bit, then it kick downs to 3rd, engine revs (you can hear the engine even with music playing loud), then puts to 4th and you finish overtaking.

Also in the city it is in 6th doing 50 km/h and revs are below 1500. If you start going uphill, o push the pedal just little bit - engine stugles at low revs for some time until it down****s to 4th. You can feel unpleasant vibration while engine works at low revs.

But the good news is, that DSG brain is adjusting itself to the driver, so after some time it shat adopt itself to my heavy foot.

Try & find a car to test-drive that has paddles, no need to shift the stick into manual mode, leave it in drive, 1,2,or 3 flicks with left finger & you are the gear that you feel is the correct choice for the situation.

 

Much quicker than a manual, very intuitive, & leaves you in control.

 

When you have completed the overtake, either change up with the right hand paddle, or leave the car to re-select normal drive mode, which can take about 20 seconds.

 

Alternatively, just slap the stick into manual mode & then go back to "D", rather than having to wait.

 

If that's not quick enough, get a bigger engine or a remap!

 

DC 

Thank you, David.

I've put 3 spoke steering wheel with shift paddles to ordered options list, so I think it will help to get more control.

Unfortunately bigger engine was not possible due to Co2 restrictions, re-map it is also not an option, as I would lose warranty. From other hand - 170 HP / 350 Nm + DSG - seems good combination to me, while testdriving I had lots of fun on coutry roads.