Agreed. It can be an issue and the greater the power output, the greater the potential issue and the greater the need for an automatic... but it isn't all that bad, either. My chipped Saab has mbuttes and mbuttes of turbocharger lag. Commence an overtake in too low a gear such that you have to change up, you *hate* that second of no-go before it picks up again.
My current (9-3 diesel) and previous (Accord petrol) cars both have ratios set up such that maximum speed is reached at maximum power engine speed in top gear, which I guess makes them decent enough for a comparison. Overtaking a HGV sitting at 40* in my old Accord, I'd initially think about using third gear. 40 in 3rd was just under 3,000 rpm. Nail it and it picks up well enough to overtake, yes, but it's only really pulling well once the tacho pbuttes 4,000 rpm. The speedo is around 65 at this point. Try 40 in second and it means starting at 4,000 rpm and when you change up at 6,500 rpm or so you're at 65, perfect for third gear.
If you happen to want to do 40 - 80 in the Honda as quickly as possible you needed second then third gear. It would do it in third, fourth or fifth, though - but you'd never seriously contemplate this manoeuvre in top, try to accelerate from under 50 in top and tumbleweeds roll past.
Try the same manoeuvre in the Saab, 40 in 3rd, and you're at 2,500 rpm. Pulls very well - has stronger acceleration than the Accord at the same speed and gear combination. The governor is at 4,600 rpm, which is just over 70. If you change you have the lag. Bad news. Starting in second is out too but how about starting in fourth? That puts you at ~1,950 rpm to ~3,900 rpm. That's about perfect then. It'll also do it in top, but like Accord, you need a day planner for this.
For hills, broadly the same story; if I'm ascending a steep gradient I may use a gear that's one or two lower than my cruising gear in the Honda, likely just one gear lower in the Saab if I need to change down at all. Motorway gradients are not a problem at 60+ in the 9-3, so far not when three up. In the Accord, four up plus some luggage, it's wanting a lower gear. This is something I found a little frustrating: it's *not* as flexible as the Saab.
I forget what it's called, but there's a delightful gradient between York and Hull that's a third gear ascent in the Accord, then "cruise" in fourth. It's a forth gear climb in the Saab, then hold on to 60 in top, no problems...
I'll lose my job" says Ambulance manA member of the group who are cracking down on abuses of speed by uniformed services took action against an ambulance driver yesterday. The driver was spotted driving at 90mph...
The bottom line? I suspect the difference is as much down to driving technique and pace as with anything.
*of course, they're usually at 50 or so, aiming for their limiter, which is certainly fourth gear material for the Saab and usually third gear material for the Accord. Dropping to second at 50 felt a bit extreme in the Honda.
-- The DervMan www.dervman.com
