Sport Mode...
Nearly all my my cars were in the economy class having manual transmissions. The last group had a Toyota Celica 1.2 liter engine with 5-speed, Hyundai Veloster 1.2 liter with a 6-speed. Four years ago, I switched to a Toyota Corolla with a 2.0 liter engine and automatic transmission. That was different in many ways as it had a Sport Mode. What did it do? Change the gear ratio so the power band made the car quicker in acceleration. It didn't change the horsepower and it didn't affect the steering or suspension.I only used it a few times. The car had to be at a standstill when changing modes.
My current car a Mazda M3 also has automatic transmission. Equipped with a 2.5 liter engine and sport mode.
In normal mode going 45mph the engine runs 1200rpm. Fast acceleration doesn't redline.
In sport mode going 45mph the engine it's doing nearly 3000rpm and fast acceleration redlines at 6500 rpm. By no means it's a race car, but the modes can be changed 'on the fly' so if I need to slam the accelerator to do a quick move, it's available.
What sport mode doesn't do on this car is change the suspension or steering.
I've read there are some cars in a higher classification (more expensive SUV's) that have economy, normal, sport modes that also affect the steering and suspension where the overall performance in each mode is different.
I used to drive more than 30,000 miles per year and changed cars every 3 to 4 years, just around the time expensive mechanical problems would start. I'm doing less than 20,000 a year now and hope I can keep cars longer. The last purchase was more for seating comfort and the rear storage is slightly taller/bigger.
Sport mode appears to be standard on all the cars I had shopped for, but it's something I will rarely use. However, something I often use is to back shift/down shift that simulates a manual transmission that doesn't need a clutch. So, coming off the highway, I can back shift to slow my speed and since it's all wheel drive, the car stays level where the front wheel drive cars sometimes 'lunge' and the nose dips.
That feature I like!
Comments (2)
I worked with a guy who owned a big diesel Dodge pickup truck and he changed the computer chip for one that actually developed more horsepower. The engine was capable, but the stock chip controlled the fuel/air mixture to pass government emissions standards.
Technically, the high performance chip was illegal.
These new feature must add to cost/full price of a vehicle, here in NZ a car with automatic gearbox is cheaper to buy than a manual gearbox car.. Maybe its the servicing and problems automatics have that makes them cheaper...