As per a previous post, I'm collecting my new Superb Hatch 1.5 hybrid SE L next week. I'm just curious as to know if it has different driving modes (e.g. sport, comfort, eco) or if it's just the one?

I believe driving modes are only available if the car is fitted with DCC adaptive dampers. 

Thanks @Cedwing I don't think this one is. It's not an issue either way, I was just curious. 

 

 

It's a cruiser not a sports car so relax and enjoy the ride.

You effectively get two modes anyway, normal and sport.

 

On the older models, just flicked the gear lever back to change it (or if you have gear paddles by steering wheel could do that), but these days it's more of a switch than a lever in the middle

My PHEV behaves completely differently in sport mode. It has definitely greater power output than in normal mode, it can be measured on the acceleration, it not just the feeling.

On 14/02/2025 at 11:16, Spr0ut said:

As per a previous post, I'm collecting my new Superb Hatch 1.5 hybrid SE L next week. I'm just curious as to know if it has different driving modes (e.g. sport, comfort, eco) or if it's just the one?

 

On 14/02/2025 at 16:07, Cedwing said:

I believe driving modes are only available if the car is fitted with DCC adaptive dampers. 

 

Correct, driving modes are only enabled when equipped with DCC as it also includes progressive steering which is affected by drive mode.

 

Gearbox D and Sport mode is something different and not related to Driving Mode enabled in infotainment. 

Thanks for your feedback. The car has D and Sport mode (not that it's particularly sporty! 😅). 

It's only standard VW DSG setting that changes rev limits for auto gear changes.

In default D mode gearbox has prefers low revolutions for gear changes and also tried to keep low RPMs and highest gear which is not that great for the engine but great for emissions when proofing the car with EU regulators.

As I can see the issue:

Do not forget the PHEV and the electric drivetrain. The Engine certeainly cannot be more powerful in sport mode(because of emission norms), but the electric drivetrain is strongly limited in the Superb (by software in hybrid mode) compared to the Passat. (Superb overall performance is 350Nm / passat 400Nm).

The DUCA(passat) and DUCB(Superb) engines having the same max. 250Nm output, but DUCA can have higher effective rev. by +1000 - 500rpm which results the additional 27hp.

Both car having excatly tha same electric drivetrain and gearbox.

If you are checking the overall performance: 204hp vs. 272hp the answer is logical.

 

(P/kw) = (T/N-m) * (N/rpm) / 9549

DUCA 177PS@5500-6000 rpm // 250Nm
DUCB 150PS@5000 rpm // 250Nm

 

So the Superb using only ~54hp from the electric drivetrain maximum compared to the passat which using ~95hp.

 

It can be an undocumented feature or bug, but the Superb PHEV is stronger in sport mode especially in 100-to 200km/h range, without violating the emission rules.