I've been a g owner for a couple of weeks now. My first car was a Peugeot 107. Second was a 206 (1.4 petrol). I just graduated from university and started a new job on a good whack and thought I'd treat myself. Had sights set on a 2.0l 170bhp G from the word go. Always intrigued by the DNA switch and curious as to how noticeable the difference would be between Natural and Dynamic.
Wow. First things first: throttle response. The immediate engagement is so powerful. Keeping force to the throttle constant when switching from N to D provides such a buzz. I try to prepare myself for the swift acceleration but every time I find myself smiling at the surprise package it produces every time. The other major leap forward being the handling. You feel the bend of every corner in an enjoyable way. Then when you've realised you're travelling faster than what you should, a sharper and much more responsive braking system means you soon fall back down from the metaphorical high.
My 40mile commute to work ends with an option to head through town or take a winding country lane. Safe to say, I make an effort to save 'D' mode for that last leg of the race down the old lane.
Can't ever seeing myself getting bored of that 'dynamic rush'.
Same here, love D, whenever I'm on the motorway its always in D as pointed out with economy there isn't that much of a saving than when in N. Its also safer as sometimes on the motorway you can't afford to work hard to speed into position.
In just over a year of ownership, I've never used A. Never felt the need.
Through town it's often in N, but anything else, straight into D.
Interestingly, on long, steady runs, D can actually be more economical. Maybe something to do with higher torque at lower revs? I dunno, a price has to be paid somewhere.
I think the economy comes from not having to try as hard getting to speed.
The A introduces all the science and allows for a more comfortable ride on our **** roads. Throttle has a better response than N, especially on the early models and the steering is weighted up like D. Feels very secure on twisty, leaf strewn roads.
Tried A today, did just over 30 miles nipped into town etc, and I really like the way the car behaves, much nicer than N, maybe they've got them mixed up :lol:
Don't think I've ever given the A mode a try, sounds like it might be worth it. Does throttle response not suffer though on the motorway? It probably would be much softer on our terrible pot hole ridden roads...
My 2011 version QV had the most satisfying D mode response, but following an interim oil/filter change my local dealer then connected the car to the Alfa network computer and it automatically downloaded the latest software. Unfortunately for me that totally killed the once much loved quick accelerator response, and lowered the maximum boost according to what D mode would show pre service. The dealers own engineer also agreed, but after another set of checks with Alfa's own software people to remotely check the cars software they said it was done due to problems encountered with cars driven at high altitude.
Thanks, but I only live driving across the Pennines and was performing great before this update killed D mode and made it hardly any different to A and N modes.
Moral of this story "Ask your dealer for assurances any performance updates are not going to dramatically alter your cars performance".
My 2011 version QV had the most satisfying D mode response, but following an interim oil/filter change my local dealer then connected the car to the Alfa network computer and it automatically downloaded the latest software.".
It doesn't automatically download, You need to check and then manually do it. It will check and tell there is software to download but wont automatically install it.
Hence your thread on the matter. I've got the same with my TV when B&O decide to update the software via the web . I don't even need to go to the shop. So far only a change of the startup screen from a logo I preferred to a new one I didn't like as much. There's currently discussion on here about the likelihood of of a new duct on the 4C in the states being retrofitted to customers cars.
In the case of my QV update and its affect on performance could be equated to, updating a colour tv into a black & white tv, for those who can remember B&W TV's.
Not looked at the 4C section for awhile now, thanks for the tip.
I just wish you could get the throttle response of D with the steering and suspension settings of N. In D the steering is no more direct, it just feels heavier, and the ride is simply too hard on most of our side roads.
You are correct that the suspension does not change with the dna switch, but... if you are using the throttle very eagerly you may find extra throttle response to give the same feelings as changing down a gear and pushing through a corner. The extra torque can help to load the suspension in a way that very few drivers appreciate and can't alway exploit, but pleased you seem to be appreciating the difference! The very neutral G chassis also allows a lot of trail braking into fast corners and roundabouts with very minimal inputs from the driver. It is a very good front wheel drive car that needs some serious mistreatment to upset, and if you get into some understeer don't lift off till you are going where you pointed to!!
As soon as my winter tires are fitted in late October I tend to leave my car in 'A' mode throughout the winter months, my daily drive to work is twisty (damp, muddy & dark) country lanes which is what 'A' mode is for. Also get the benefit of a digital speedometer.
Does your multi-function display show the vehicle speed when you are in A mode? Haven't noticed that on mine but potentially very useful for people (like my wife) who struggle with reading the speedo
that's what I lov about the G. I'm cornering at nearly insane speeds and think I'm near the limit, but when I give it some extra juice the front end tightens the line and literally pulls the car through. eQ2 at work I suppose.
Today I floored the paddle gradually when off the green light, and an Infinity G37 next to me did the same, he had a very comfortable lead over my 2018 Giulietta Veloce. I was in N mode; my question is, does dynamic noticeably affect the 0-100km/hr , or in other words, could I close that gap with that G37 if I was in dynamic "D" ? Apreciate the input!
I've looked up a G37 and they have a very big engine. You will easily beat one in a corner but in a straight line not a chance my friend. I find my Giulietta corners so well but can't catch the bigger German cars in a straight line. D mode will help a bit but not enough to make a car grow into a 3.7 litre equivalent.
Had my QV since June this year and used the N and A just to see what it was like. Mine is in D mode all the time
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