You don't find out unless you keep asking questions.

 

I have specced DCC on my up coming 150 tdi.

 

What I noticed on the test drive in an unattired car was total absence of steering feel when corning.  Accurate maybe but numb does not describe it adequately, especially when compared to my Mazdas.

 

What I am hoping is the DCC in Sport might just give it a little flavour without destroying the admittedly excellent ride too much.

 

Any (repeatable) comments, folks?

 

Thank you.

You can change the weight of the steering in the DCC/Drive mode settings. Sport makes the steering heavier. It can also be customised in the 4th 'Individual' setting. Do you recall what setting the steering was in during the test drive? 

 

Does the Mazda have hydraulic, electro-hydraulic or fully electric power steering? The Superb has a fully electric steering system. This is a common complaint from drivers that are used to the hydraulic or hybrid electro-hydraulic system. The fully electric systems feel 'dead' in comparison, especially in the dead ahead position. I find the Lane Assist system helps by gently correcting the car, making it wander a little less. 

The car I tried did not have DCC so just the equivalent of Normal. I have taken a gamble on DCC on what I have read as the car really needs something to improve steering feel and with luck, this will do it. Hence the further questions of this knowledgeable forum.

The Mazda is ten years old and has hydraulic steering. The MX5 is 19 years old and steers brilliantly. The 6 is not that far behind. I am looking forward to the Honey Monster but will miss the 6 when it goes.

SE-L upwards gets drive mode selection as standard. This allows you to alter various settings like steering weight, throttle response, air con economy, AFS behaviour and such like. There's Eco, Normal, Sport and Individual modes, the latter can be fully customised. 

 

DCC includes drive mode selection so you've covered all bases for a customised setup. 

 

You'll certainly feel the difference between a hydraulic setup and the Superb's fully electric system. You'll get used to I'm sure. Having the steering set to Sport gives a noticeable increase in steering weight. 

I agree with Dstev. The sport setting for the steering does make a big difference if you like to feel the steering . Coming from Mazdas you will find the Superb rather more detached from the outside world in many respects.

I find that the more relaxed feel of the steering fits well the overall sense of smooth comfort but if you drive progressively all the time then the sport mode for steering will probably feel better for you. As Dstev says you can mix and match the various settings until you find the one that suits you

@Lol6: 

The "light" feel of the steering can be improved dramatically, not by DCC selection, but by "SPORT SUSPENSION" selection. It's only about 200Eur as option, but it comes with Progressive Steering, like on the Octavia VRS and Passat R-Line. This improves greatly the feel of the steering and it's available only on MY2017 models.

 

Hope this helps

Edited 4 August, 20169 yr by Norian

bad post

Edited 4 August, 20169 yr by Norian

Norian,

My car was already ordered before I was aware of the sport suspension option so too late to change now.

Thank you for the thought.

Anyway, there's far more customisation with DCC. You won't miss the progressive steering if you've never had it. Besides, you need a few toys to look forward to next time around! 

 

Sports suspension is all good and well, but it can get tiresome on longer journeys. It's nice to have the option to dial it out with the prod of a button. 

 

This from someone who was on an Eibach and Bilstein B6 setup on my previous Mk2, which handled well but could be tiring to drive on really long runs. 

I am inclined to agree with you dstev2000. All I have read about sports suspension is tight handling, fine, but an uncomfortable ride. Part of my retirement involves driving around patients who attend the local hospice. I am not sure they will appreciate being bounced around continuously.

The Mazda 6 rides and handles superbly, the patients always comment favourably on the ride, thanks in part to Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres which are terrific under all conditions. I understand Pilot 4s are now up and running. I know what tyre I will be looking at on first change with the Skoda.

I just hope the options available with DCC give an all round performance as you say. I know it will not be as sharp as the Mazda but if it can get somewhere near, that will be fine.

It's a shame you can't get your hands on a DCC demo car for half an hour to be sure. Personally, I'd be surprised if you can't set it up to suit your requirements. 

 

For example, you can set the Individual mode to have sports steering for decent weight and feel, with normal or comfort suspension to provide a comfortable ride. 

 

My Individual settings are:

 

DCC: Normal (seems to work in most situations, but sport suspension is selected when the boot is loaded up with heavy gear to keep the back end in check, comfort if my back or hip plays up!)

Steering: Sport (heavier weight, possibly more aggressive Lane Assist intervention)

Air con: Eco (works for me)

Dynamic AFS lights: Sport (makes the headlights - when fitted - swivel more aggressively, which I like)

Engine/Drive: Eco (enables coasting on the DSG box, adjusts throttle pedal characteristics)

ACC: Sport (has a chance of keeping up with slower traffic in Traffic Assist mode)

Edited 5 August, 20169 yr by dstev2000

Mine will be an Sel so not quite all the toys you have.  It is also a manual gearbox so I cannot see how Sport mode will affect gear changing, although hopefully throttle response will be sharper.  

 

Thanks for all the information.  I didn't realise there were quite so many options.  So much to play with, it will drive Home Management nuts!

Mine will be an Sel so not quite all the toys you have.  It is also a manual gearbox so I cannot see how Sport mode will affect gear changing, although hopefully throttle response will be sharper.  

 

Thanks for all the information.  I didn't realise there were quite so many options.  So much to play with, it will drive Home Management nuts!

 

Not a problem, that's what we're all here for.

 

Being a manual, the only thing that's missing is the DSG setting and Traffic Assist which is part of the DSG system, you'll still be able to alter the Adaptive Cruise Control behaviour through DCC. Other than that, you'll have the exact same settings that I have 

You're right, unfortunately OP. The various modes can indeed alter steering weight and suspension rigidity but you can't add in feel when the system is disconnected to start with. Skoda steering is dead as a dodo, full stop, due to being fully electronic as someone said above. It'll feel leagues behind your Mazdas, but is at least accurate and easy to place as you noted.

I miss the suspension and steering in my 2015 Mazda 6 (2.0 petrol) immensely, but the engine was rather under powered for my tastes. At least you could really push it through the gears on a B road without hitting three digits, but the 2.5 litre engine they fit to US models would have been much better I think.

You'll still enjoy the Superb, it's just different and more of a GT type car.

I rather feared as much, Rainmaker. I have some excellent twisty bits close to where I live and will miss the 6 for sure but I still have the Mk 1 MX 5 for that kind of fun. Nineteen years old and only 12,000 miles from new. Very special. I was lucky to find it. (Sorry to go off topic!). Obviously, the Superb will be much more of a wafter.

I am advised the car will be built the week after next so about a month after that for delivery, I guess. Thanks to everyone for your advice.