The
'relatively narrow powerband' really does not have anything to do with it.
You would not prefer a
'conventional automatic over the TDI/DSG'
because of the loss of performance and the big hit F E wise.
Simply look at the slushbox performance of the 2002-3 TDI. I know because I had one.
There's a difference is simply driving someone else's car for a very
short test-drive and actually owning one and living with it daily.
You need to spend much more time with one before you can 'snap-judge' its operation. The
comparisons between the two are not
'silly' and most of us commenting are trying to be factual.
Smooth launch? How could that one you drove not be smooth? As soon as you release the brakes,
the clutch engages. The motor is still at idle. Were you hitting the throttle to hard or pressing it
to far as you released the brakes? Idle is approximately 900 rpm if I recall correctly?
Maximum torque begins at 1750 rpm. I don't know where the
'good' torque begins.
How far off idle before that low rpm torque comes
'on the pipe' as the 2 stroke bikers say.
I know that I have absolutely no trouble at all keeping up with traffic,
and in most cases, they don't keep up with me.
Because of
'the relatively narrow powerband of a direct-injected diesel engine' a person needs to
'learn how' to drive a DSG properly the same way he needs to
'learn' how to drive a manual. Do you recall how the magazine types were complaining about often stalling the manual tranny TDIs at launch? They did not know how to launch properly because they were not used to driving a TDI.
BTW, how could there not be
direct injection in the diesel?
I will add this. In most given circumstances, the DSG will be right there in the
right gear, and should it not be, a slight mudge on the throttle will cause it
to be in the 'correct' gear. Will any manual do the same? I think not!
If you should line up at a light with a manual vs a DSG, you'd better be prepared!
No one can change gears at quickly with a manual as the DSG will do.
And the way the DSG is geared gives the advantage to the DSG.
All ratios are lower.
The main disadvantage with the DSG is that with this lower gearing, fuel
economy suffers slightly.
'Slightly' being a relative term.
When compared to the 20 percent hit that the 2002-3 slushbox suffered compared
to the manual, the DSG is
much more efficient thank goodness.
My DSG does indeed drive perfectly smoothly. (
What's with the sic?)
The earlier 2009 TDIs with DSG, not so much. VW has indeed changed their Transmission programming
in the later vehicles, and many have gone to their dealers and had their
tranny computers reflashed and reported improvements.
It's hard for me to put into words what I mean, but IF you were local, I would gladly demonstrate
what I mean using my vehicle, and I think you just might come away with a much better viewpoint.
No sir, we are not trying to run down what you have said.
I would point out in passing, that most dealers around here are not ordering or even recieving
TDIs with manuals transmissions compared to the numbers with the DSG transmission.
