Inspired by the other thread on delayed response and my own experiences lately, I wanted to get your take on this.

I've noticed on both my '10 MCS and now on my '13 CMS that how quickly the car "get up and goes" can seemingly change from day to day. At times I'll hit an onramp thinking "let's go already" while others it's more like "woah, where did that come from?" Forgive my lack of technical jargon -- that's the best way I can describe it.

I'm sure there's externalities in play like the weather and how you've been driving lately, but I'm wondering if there's some technique to learn as well.

 

There's definitely a technique to it as compared to driving a non-forced induction engine.

My personal suggestion, get a boost gauge and over time you'll learn where/when your boost is built up and when it's not. When it isn't, you're going to be down on power and when it is the car will go.

 

First and foremost, make sure the car is up to full operating temp.....

 

It may be my imagination, but I've fetl as thought the boost comes on quicker and in a more "controlled" manner if I press the gas a little more slowly than just "stomping" on it. This was the case in my previous turbo car (VW 1.8T), and the MINI. Seems to me to be more linear as opposed to all or nothing.

 

The throttle mapping (drive by wire) will vary a bit depending on vehicle and atmospheric conditions. Performance from the turbo is subject to air temperature (density) as well.

 

Maybe the auto responds differently than the stick, but I haven't noticed a lot of variation in turbo response with my manual. If my turbo seems to lag, it's always from low RPMs (and the wrong gear).

Under 3000 RPM, the turbo can't do much and acceleration is mediocre. In traffic, sometimes that's all you need. But for spirited driving, I try to anticipate hills, dips and turns in advance and choose a gear for at least 3000 RPM. When I hit the gas it moves.

Even at highway speeds (on the flats), I'm pretty close to 3000 in 5th or 6th, so I can usually push the gas and get some turbo without shifting. But when I need more, I drop a gear or two and it spins right up.

 

Ok, so I'm glad it's not just me that thinks my ECU has more of a mind of its own than we are lead to believe. I've experienced the exact same thing in both my Paceman (manual) and my wife's Countryman (auto). It's usually taking off from a standstill. Near as I can figure, there's some propeller-head in Germany laughing is **** off at some gootchie he stuck in the mapping just to mess with our heads (and the fact that you also experienced this with your VW really has me scratching my head now). I don't notice it as much in sport mode, but I swear there are times when mashing it to the floor seems to completely disable the turbo and it will just not go until it's good and ready.

 

My auto does that sometimes also. I do agree sometimes it is faster when I accelerate gradually versus stomping it.

 

I've also experienced this in my 2012 Countryman S. I assumed it was due to the temp outside and the car not being warmed up yet. It seemed to lag on hotter days IMO but that may have just been a coincidence.