Thinking about a DrivE model....!?

[ozwol]

Originally Posted by volvorocks

Hi ozwol

This of course is just my opinion, and some may disagree.

Regards

Hi there, although i agree with some of the above characteristics they are prvalent in almost every auto i've driven, most of which are Bm's with the zf6 plus also a 7spd merc and Audi dsg. Our powershift box coupled with the low torque/ power engine seems to work a treat, it doesn't fly up the revs on an incline like some and almost always selects the correct gear for the situation. In manual the car only autoshifts at the redline and when the cars labouring in low revs, in that respect it can be driven as a true manual imo.

Its a new 62 reg car so maybe has a newer software version that is responsible for it behaving this way? I'm happy and sure that most other drivers with automatic gearbox experience would be. Its interesting to hear your thoughts though.

[volvorocks]

Originally Posted by ozwol

Hi there, although i agree with some of the above characteristics they are prvalent in almost every auto i've driven, most of which are Bm's with the zf6 plus also a 7spd merc and Audi dsg. Our powershift box coupled with the low torque/ power engine seems to work a treat, it doesn't fly up the revs on an incline like some and almost always selects the correct gear for the situation. In manual the car only autoshifts at the redline and when the cars labouring in low revs, in that respect it can be driven as a true manual imo.

Its a new 62 reg car so maybe has a newer software version that is responsible for it behaving this way? I'm happy and sure that most other drivers with automatic gearbox experience would be. Its interesting to hear your thoughts though.

Hi ozwol

Its weird really, because the dealers agree with me, yet more or less everyone on here with a powershift or geartronic disagree...!!!...lol

I don't agree that it can be driven like a real manual, because the box changed down when I wanted it to stay in a higher gear - ie 3rd gear at roundabouts on approach, gently moving forward at an appropriate speed for 3rd - and it changed to 2.

The car I was driving was a 12, and not mine.

Old autos I have driven have been fine. I think old autos (whilst not economical like the modern stuff) were so simple they couldn't do much else!! I have had the old 4.2 Jag and the newer XJ40 3.2 auto and the later XJR and loved those boxes. Creamy smooth. Also had a manual XJ40 2.9 and that was a manual, and it was, imo, like driving a tractor!! (not quite but a rather heavy clutch)

I haven't recently driven much ultra modern stuff with an auto box, always speccing manual as I prefer it.I like the simplicity because a manual is a manual is a manual really. All manual cars are more or less the same - you know what you are getting. I like auto in traffic though.

I think technology is perhaps dulling the experience...??

Anyway wouldn't it be boring if we all thought alike..?? Maybe I am ultra picky?

Regards

[Harvey1512]

I've had my DRIVe for 6 months now and done 10k miles. Once you adapt your driving style to a more relaxed method then you do not notice any power change. What are the differences - The car is slower off the mark so allow more room at roundabouts before you pull out. 2nd to 3rd gear is also slow so allow for that in the 20-30mph stage. Once in 3rd and above however the car has enough for most people. I drive a lot on single lane roads, good old forgotten Northumberland, and can overtake as easily in my current car once above 40mph as with any previous 2.0l 140bhp diesel that I have had. At motorway speeds the same is also true. I have not once been left in no mans lands when trying to overtake.

As the engine is small you would expect it to be noisy and wheezy at speed. Not true. It manages very well and is as refined as other 2.0l d (140) engines. (I keep mentioning that size of engine as it is the size most diesels are sold in and are the ones I have driven previously).

In warmer weather I average 52-54pmg for rural driving, 58mpg for motorway driving with an empty car, 50-52mpg for when the car is full. Clearly not the promised figures but then we all know they are nonsense. The figures I have quoted are real, not computer, and relate to an average style of driving, eg not aggressive but not old man wearing a trilby on a Sunday.

If you are looking at this car then already you are not a boy racer. It takes about 2-3 days to get over the slower take off and then after that you will be fine. Try one, you will be pleasantly surprised.