Sport mode?
#1
#2
When I first got the car I kept it in sport mode all the time but it never really felt sporty at all. So as a comparison I took it off "sportless" mode and couldn't really tell any difference. Of course I drive the car rather gently and that is probably part of the story. On the other hand our other car (2012 Acura TL) feels like a different car in sport mode even with my gentle style of driving. Ditto for other cars I have driven that have sport mode settings. Presumably what the so-called sport mode provides on the XK8/XKR is delay of the up-shift points under hard acceleration and that is about it.
Doug
Doug
#3
#4
Sport mode changes the shift points. Allows the engine to rev higher before shifting and activates the kick down with lower peddle pressure. I usually leave mine in normal mode unless I am passing or find a particularly interesting back road. I don't think it makes much difference tooling around town.
#5
#6
When I first got the car I kept it in sport mode all the time but it never really felt sporty at all. So as a comparison I took it off "sportless" mode and couldn't really tell any difference. Of course I drive the car rather gently and that is probably part of the story. On the other hand our other car (2012 Acura TL) feels like a different car in sport mode even with my gentle style of driving. Ditto for other cars I have driven that have sport mode settings. Presumably what the so-called sport mode provides on the XK8/XKR is delay of the up-shift points under hard acceleration and that is about it.
Doug
Doug
#7
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PaulCarr (09-26-2014)
#9
#10
Join Date: Apr 2012
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I know the X308 is not the same car but same ZF auto. Mine car feels "dead" in normal it is always in so called Sport mode.
It is far more responsive in sport but does any-one know if sport mode turns off traction/stability?
The car "stepped out" on a wet road at 110KPH (65MPHish) going around a corner/accelerating out of a corner. Reduced confidence a bit. I did use normal for the rest of the drive home.
It is far more responsive in sport but does any-one know if sport mode turns off traction/stability?
The car "stepped out" on a wet road at 110KPH (65MPHish) going around a corner/accelerating out of a corner. Reduced confidence a bit. I did use normal for the rest of the drive home.
#11
I know the X308 is not the same car but same ZF auto. Mine car feels "dead" in normal it is always in so called Sport mode.
It is far more responsive in sport but does any-one know if sport mode turns off traction/stability?
The car "stepped out" on a wet road at 110KPH (65MPHish) going around a corner/accelerating out of a corner. Reduced confidence a bit. I did use normal for the rest of the drive home.
It is far more responsive in sport but does any-one know if sport mode turns off traction/stability?
The car "stepped out" on a wet road at 110KPH (65MPHish) going around a corner/accelerating out of a corner. Reduced confidence a bit. I did use normal for the rest of the drive home.
This inhibit has to be a function of steering wheel angle and throttle position and therefore using two of the same inputs as ASC.
Graham
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Gippsland (12-06-2013)
#12
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Gippsland (12-06-2013)
#13
XKR Sport mode = significant improvement
If I'm stopped, and press the Sport button you can hear something change.
Mine launches off the line significantly stronger, and I've tested it both ways.
Also, first gear max thrust from 1500 rpm to 5000 rpm is something I do all the time as the torque is simply too much fun not to use all the time. Muscle-cars and sports cars beware :-)
Mine launches off the line significantly stronger, and I've tested it both ways.
Also, first gear max thrust from 1500 rpm to 5000 rpm is something I do all the time as the torque is simply too much fun not to use all the time. Muscle-cars and sports cars beware :-)
#14
If I'm stopped, and press the Sport button you can hear something change.
Mine launches off the line significantly stronger, and I've tested it both ways.
Also, first gear max thrust from 1500 rpm to 5000 rpm is something I do all the time as the torque is simply too much fun not to use all the time. Muscle-cars and sports cars beware :-)
Mine launches off the line significantly stronger, and I've tested it both ways.
Also, first gear max thrust from 1500 rpm to 5000 rpm is something I do all the time as the torque is simply too much fun not to use all the time. Muscle-cars and sports cars beware :-)
Doug
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#16
Keep in mind that the 02 and older cars use the Mercedes 5spd and the 03+ cars use the ZF 6 spd. I do believe that for the Mercedes box, that it starts in 2nd gear unless sport is used, so that might be the difference that can be felt.
For the ZF, all I've noticed is that it holds gears longer. If you accelerate like a fool (hooligan?) and you get out of the throttle, it will hold gears for quite a while expecting you to resume your foolery (hooliganery?).
For the ZF, all I've noticed is that it holds gears longer. If you accelerate like a fool (hooligan?) and you get out of the throttle, it will hold gears for quite a while expecting you to resume your foolery (hooliganery?).
#17
Keep in mind that the 02 and older cars use the Mercedes 5spd and the 03+ cars use the ZF 6 spd. I do believe that for the Mercedes box, that it starts in 2nd gear unless sport is used, so that might be the difference that can be felt.
For the ZF, all I've noticed is that it holds gears longer. If you accelerate like a fool (hooligan?) and you get out of the throttle, it will hold gears for quite a while expecting you to resume your foolery (hooliganery?).
For the ZF, all I've noticed is that it holds gears longer. If you accelerate like a fool (hooligan?) and you get out of the throttle, it will hold gears for quite a while expecting you to resume your foolery (hooliganery?).
Maybe that is why some people state they feel a big difference and others don't. I kept hearing that the car normally starts off in 2nd gear unless Sport mode is selected but that certainly does not seem the case for my car--it always feels the same from a dead start but that might be because I have the ZF. If it is true that the Merc trans starts in 2nd unless you hit Sport, then that would definitely be a difference you would notice.
In my wife's Acura TL, starting out in S instead of D is quite a dramatic difference. The pedal is hugely more responsive (even with my easy driving style) and the gears hold a long time between shifts. That car definitely feels like something more is going on in S than just extending shift points.
Doug
#18
It learns. So if your car has not been driven like his in S then it won't do what his car does.
#19
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Mine car is certainly faster after a wash. I'm glad I chose a Black Jag as I don't need the extra speed of the Red ones.
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Scottanglin (12-28-2015)
#20
I must be suffering the placebo effect - when I use sport there is not only the difference in change up points, but also I could swear the suspension feels firmer and the brakes sharper. There is less wallow, and more of a jolt going over bumps and it seems to be a bit flatter in the bends.
When I use normal mode I find it is constantly shifting up as high as it will go, and then has to keep kicking down when I want to accelerate. I seem to get less MPG in normal than sport so I leave that S button lit when I've got an open road, but put it back in normal when in traffic and I want the brake pedal less sharp.
Of course, all that could be a figment of my imagination......
When I use normal mode I find it is constantly shifting up as high as it will go, and then has to keep kicking down when I want to accelerate. I seem to get less MPG in normal than sport so I leave that S button lit when I've got an open road, but put it back in normal when in traffic and I want the brake pedal less sharp.
Of course, all that could be a figment of my imagination......