MY17/MQB Platform Tiguan Discussion Thread

[Ozsko]

I drove a 140TDI today and was surprisingly underwhelmed by the experience. The car is great but the performance was missing some neddies or a lot in fact. I reckon my 125TDI Superb feels stronger but then it could be the way the gearbox/torque curve interact with each other. I also could have been expecting too much I suppose but with 140kw/400nm under the bonnet I felt it should have been more impressive. I was all prepared to make an offer on it if it went alright but I think I will pass and stick with the 162 I have on order. I asked if they held night classes for all the electronic stuff but the salesman said I was on my own learning that stuff.

[andrew7]

^ interesting, I did read another review of the 140TDI which found the same sluggishness. I recently cancelled my Highline TDI order whilst I ponder the 162 (which I think needs the R- Line package) v FL Golf GTI/R.....

[tigger73]

I seriously think this sluggishness is the factory settings for the DSG transmission. The 132TSI that I drove the other week had a lot of lag from standstill - particularly in D. S mode was better, however then you end up running around in higher revs. Our gen1 125TSI and 155TSI were never this laggy from stock. There was a bit but nothing like the half second before the car starts moving (maybe this is an exaggeration but it feels like it). It certainly feels like a bit of a disconnect between the accelerator input and response of the car.

I've said this before in other threads about DSGs but I seriously think the factory settings for the transmission are all about meeting fuel economy and emissions regulations rather than making the car easy/fun to drive. The problem is the car is not responding to throttle input how you're used to. This can be fixed with aftermarket DSG software and/or a throttle controller (Sprint booster etc) but in my opinion you shouldn't have to do it to a brand new car just to get it to drive "right".

I haven't driven the 140TDI yet but if the DSG software is the same as 132TSI I drove I can understand your impressions of the car being a bit slow/unresponsive.

[Ozsko]

I don't think it is anything to do with the DSG, I have been driving a DSG dieself for six years now and i think the neddies have bolted from the stable for some reason and I would question the 140 figure. What I would like to do but can't is drive a 140 Passat for a comparison. It may just be mapped to limit hp/torque at lower rpm and higher up in the speed range it starts to deliver more killer wasps.

[tigger73]

I test drove a 140TDI Passat Alltrack a year or so ago and thought the same thing. I mean it was OK but the usual low end diesel torque just seemed to be a bit lacking given the spec on the engine. Perhaps they put in torque limiters to back things off down low??? May be a question for the diesel geeks out there.

On another note I also drove a 130TDI Tiguan and thought it was great.

[VWVY]

.. just wondering was the lacking demos been done while the tiguan driving profile is at 'eco' by any chance?

[Ozsko]

I doubt that is the answer as there seems to be widespread comment from other places regarding the same thing, see post 802 for instance though I really can't directly answer your question as I don't know so it is possible that could be part of it. Having said that I have driven I suppose at least a hundred different vehicles with CR diesel power in my work, already own one as well and none felt like this. They are a bit slow until the turbo gets boost then they get going very strongly. This felt the same from the get go to the gear change point and did not have that feeling of the torque taking over and the acceleration rate increasing which made me think of the mapping used.

[tigger73]

Dealer made the same comment about the 132TSI that I drove as that was his drive car. He said the DSG had noticeably more lag than other DSG cars and obviously he drives a lot of DSG cars.

I'm not sure if there is a setting. The rotating terrain selector knob thing was on "road" when I drove it.

He offered me to drive the 110TSI (FWD) but said it was even slower so I declined.

I'm sure if VW get enough feedback that this is an issue it'll get fixed. More than likely existing customers will get their cars flash updated when they take it in to the dealer for servicing if an update to the software comes out.

[Ozsko]

I will venture that the DSG lag is not related to the gearbox at all but is turbo lag, some motors being worse than others. Audi have recently introduced electric drive for the turbo and BMW have in recent weeks said they are going to do the same. The turbo is low mass so it can be wound up quickly and then a supercharger or another turbo takes over to provide the boost. 2016 Audi SQ7 electric turbo to cure lag - Car News | CarsGuide

[andrew7]

btw, talk on whirlpool forum is that THE 162 Highlines have been further delayed and wont be here until well into Q2....