[LJ_GQV]

I don't usually put mine in D mode, quite happy to drive about in N around town tbh. When i do put it in D mode though its good because im used to driving around in N so i do notice quite a bit of difrence. I only use mine at the weekends though & drive a vauxhall vivaro loaded up with stuff during the week so it always feels quick anyway

 

[Guest]

The only benefit N has over D is the reduction in torque-steer, I think the body control in N is unresolved and I find D to be more comfortable. The steering is still too light and without real feedback in all modes but that seems a common flaw with electric assistance. Have you tried it in A though, my gut feeling is that it's better than N.
It would be interesting to put all 3 modes through a track test to see what the results are.

 

[Harry zrc]

I obviously dont have a cloverleaf, but I use D mode partly for the sharper throttle (heal and tow rev matching is possible here, if a bit unnecessary!) but mainly because it turns on the Q2 electronic torque biasing, which gets rid of a good deal of the understeer and makes it so you can feel the back axle start to move when you lift off, which is quite nice

On a related note, i find that when you lift off in D the car decelerates more 'violently' initially than in N. It 'Jerks' a bit.

And on less related note, I find the steering has the best 'feel' in normal mode when its assistance is most reduced at high speed, so around 65/70. I haven't found a corner recently to properly test this though so I may be wrong!

Hope some of this helps

 

[TelfordPete]

I'd go with the apparently sharper throttle response in D - maybe too sharp though at times. I too double declutch and heel and toe when I am in the mood!

Steering I prefer in N - the reviews that said it was "useless" or "like a supermarket trolley" I cant believe in my case, seems OK to me but in D it goes far too heavy I reckon and seems to be inducing a higher castor feel in bends so that you feel you ar reeally having to hold the wheel over.

Not sure about Q2 only happening in D though?

I presume (or at least I havent seen any official stuff to say otherwise) that the engine produces the same power in either mode - or does it?

More research required!

 

[Harry zrc]

Certainly on the 'cooking' models, Q2 is only available in D. And in terms of power, on the 155 and QV, as well as the 120 jdtm (i think) D mode allows the turbo to overboost, which creates more torque, and makes in feel like it goes like ****!

 

[skippy2421]

Normally I just drive around in N or A, dependent on if i remember to switch before driving off. Only use D when hooning. The ridiculously light steering I find is actually beneficial on motorways and pottering around town. D is nice for that overboost and weightier steering.

 

[tess]

i like D it feels better.......sorry dont do the techy talk, just prefer D mode

 

[TelfordPete]

i like D it feels better.......sorry dont do the techy talk, just prefer D mode

Understood but is it REALLY better - or does it just FEEL better?!

We need objectivity, we need the Stig.......

 

[sandys]

I'm no stig but compete with my Punto in Autosolo which are handling events, I have tried Sport and Normal (Abarth equivalent to Dynamic + Normal ) on these events and I am often quicker in normal mode, I believe this is because you can better control the throttle and torque delivery in normal mode leading to less scrappy lap times, but its is a laugh in sport mode, perhaps a bit harsh on my tyres though

I need an LSD and better throttle control .

 

[TelfordPete]

Hmm, this IS interesting - not the tyre wear (hooligan!) but your experience of the two modes under fixed conditions.

 

[GhostyDog]

A mode is best for carrying speed fast, all the electronic safety nets are fully on and assisting you, try seeing how fast you can drive round a roundabout in each mode


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[TelfordPete]

Wasnt expecting anyone to propose A mode as the best one!

 

[GhostyDog]

Wasnt expecting anyone to propose A mode as the best one!

Humour me



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[frank fassi]

Wasnt expecting anyone to propose A mode as the best one!

I like the D mode and mostly drive it in D. Sometimes when I switch it from D to N doing about 100km/ hr it feels somebody is putting the hand brake on. The N mode is useful when you get stuck in traffic as I found the TCT is not doing well in stop and go situations. In summary I agree with all comments that you might have better control and be faster around a track in N however the D mode is certainly faster at the lights for sure. A few weeks ago I've had a fault with the transmission and I could drive it only in N. I almost cried every day...I guess it all comes down to personal taste.

 

[TelfordPete]

Humour me

Didnt say I didnt agree - I had access to some very open and very icy carparks last winter and gave it a thorough testing - it worked incredibly well.

I do get the feeling that D mode is to some extent like fitting an induction kit or a big bore tailpipe - largely psychological!

 

[sandys]

Hmm, this IS interesting - not the tyre wear (hooligan!) but your experience of the two modes under fixed conditions.

Yes it was driven quite hard that day, took the trophy though, an expensive one, I could of bought about 100 of them for the price of 2 Pilot Super Sports

To be fair its not quite scientific as I am still learning and don't have the appropriate level of consistency its just an observation I have made, I don't think A mode would get you anywhere its too restrictive at least in the G MA I have as a loaner.

D mode just ramps up the response over a shorter throttle throw, all a bit synthetic really would be nice to pick the good bits from each mode like steering from D, Throttle from N etc.

 

[TelfordPete]

Or vice versa! What we really want is a customisable setup.

 

[sandys]

Indeed, Renaultsports allow you to do this which is a nice feature and probably one of the many reasons my next car will likely be one of those.

 

[adg]

It may just be me, but my car is essentially undriveable in N. The response is so slow it is a safety issue as far as I am concerned and I absolutely hate the loosey-goosey feel of the steering on a motorway in N. Again, it just feels unsafe at any speed.
My wife, however, will sometimes drive in N, driving me insane as a passenger until I reach over and stick it into D. She prefers the feel in D, claims she just forgets sometimes to hit the switch. I long for a software upgrade some day that will keep it in D unless you turn it off. A is okay, I guess, but we rarely get conditions that make it seem a better choice than D. Most of our driving is either on fast motorways with plenty of short-radius curves or on twisty mountain roads where the throttle lag associated with N is unacceptable, at least to me. Our regular about 3-hour trip in N (done no more than twice in N all the way to test fuel consumption) is about 2 hours 45 minutes in D and D feels safer all the way. Got better fuel mileage in D.