I'm the very happy owner of an Octavia III L&K estate equipped with the excellent 1.8 tsi engine and the 7 speed DSG. The car has run approx. 15000 km, and is of late 2015 manufacture (2016 model). However, I wonder if there might be a problem:

 

When starting from a standstill, I find acceleration and sense of power quite limited while in first gear. Then the car upshifts to second gear, and the power really pours on - and it accelerates as I would like it to. However, in first gear from a standstill my old Golf 1.4 tsi DSG7 actually seemed quicker. By all means, the car is not completely powerless in first gear, but it certainly feels as if it has lots less power than I would expect - it's like the turbo doesn't contribute much before upshift to second gear is complete. In most traffic situations this is not much of a problem - the car shifts very quickly to second gear, but when starting from standstill I sometimes see it as a problem, as a speedy acceleration when entering traffic is an important safety concern.

 

I would like to add that this occurs on all road surfaces, and in all different weather conditions. The ASR/ESP does not seem to be the problem (I haven't observed the light flashing). I have excellent Conti tyres, 225/45/18.

 

Do you have any experience with this on your car? I am seriously considering complaining to the dealer, but if this is how it's supposed to be on this model I'll just have to accept the situation. Thanks for any help!

Yes. HTH

It appears they have a fairly aggressive torque limit in first (certainly in manual). You just get used to it although I can't agree with your safety argument. You pull out into traffic when it safe to do so. You can do it in a 80bhp car simply enough and not cause an accident.

Edited 21 July, 20169 yr by Mallettsmallett

I experience the same thing on my manual 1,8 TSI, although it is rather inconstant. My wife's Polo seems to pull away quicker at times. To be honest though, my factory fitted tyres are not that good (Dunlop Sport Maxx RT) and they slip twice in the same gear under hard acceleration, hence the limiter is probably a good idea, albeit not very intuitive.

I find the same in my 2.0 tdi dsg, however it doesn't really stay in first long enough to be an issue.

I would assume it's a protective feature as to not damage clutches, powertrain or maintain traction.

If I stick mine into sport mode and give it some it usually spins the wheels, whereas normal mode it just reduces acceleration.

I cant really say I've noticed it on mine.

Stick it in sport, and it takes off. But it can feel a bit sluggish in Normal as it usually starts in 2nd gear.

Although mine has the dsg6 and 4x4.

DSG6 and 4x4 here too, even in normal I find if you get the throttle all the way down to the 'kickdown' point it goes off like a scalded cat.

 

Can only put it down to the low gear torque limit on the DSG7 that may even apply to the manual with the DMF