Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes => Topic started by: Dahlknudsen on June 07, 2010, 12:59:03

Title: Kick down?
Post by: Dahlknudsen on June 07, 2010, 12:59:03

I just love this clip from Top Gear, but he does mention one point of critique of our cars, and I just do not agree with him...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6j-6ejqRxA&NR=1

At 3.15 minutes he start talking about the kick down functions as a switch that turns up the noise - and nothing else...

If I drive 40 mph and activate the kickdown I get a lot of response from the car and it quickly accelerate up and up...
How come he has this problem in his car? Is it because it an euro car with another rear axel ratio or just a worn out engine?

Title: Re: Kick down?
Post by: Larry & Norma on June 07, 2010, 17:16:50

I think it must be a problem with that car, mine never fails to surprises me when i hit kickdown - it really takes off!

Title: Re: Kick down?
Post by: J. Huber on June 07, 2010, 18:20:12

Mine jumps to attention as well. I prefer to downshift using the shiftgate rather than the kickdown -- because the combination of full throttle and the downshift is a little rev-heavy.

Title: Re: Kick down?
Post by: hands_aus on June 18, 2010, 10:25:48

I actually thought his comment was a bit tongue-in-cheek and gave it no credence.

Title: Re: Kick down?
Post by: graphic66 on June 18, 2010, 22:47:26

How about some comparisons on acceleration. Say 45MPH to 65MPH in kickdown, how many seconds to get to 65MPH from 45MPH does it take these cars with the automatic tranny? I am going out right now if I can find my stopwatch and see. 

Title: Re: Kick down?
Post by: Peter van Es on June 20, 2010, 09:46:49

This clip has been discussed before. One of our then UK members claims that the car was on sale for a year before and after making the clip, and that it was not a very good specimen (http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=6349.msg40167#msg40167).

Title: Re: Kick down?
Post by: julianmaba on June 21, 2010, 18:58:49

I believe you can hear an engine note change when he hits the pedal — i.e. the transmission is kicking down a gear, so the car was doing what it was designed to do. He gets to drive allot of high powered vehicles, and he probably did think it was a bit of a slug as compared to Ferrari's, etc. I think he fell into the usual trap of putting to much importance on 0-60 numbers (many people do, unfortunately). Allot of cheap and nasty machinery goes fast — thats the easy part, but in my opinion its all about HOW it does it (and if it puts a smile on your face). He does at the end say the he liked the car.