Hi,

When in regular mode, where the car starts in second gear, I notice there is a very slight delay when accelerating hard from a stop which leads to the car lurching forward, which lasts a split second. If I accelerate slowly, there is no lurching but there is a moment of delay when pressing on the pedal. It almost feels like the clutch grabbing after the car starts to roll.

If I start the car in first gear using the manual mode, this lurching almost disappears.

is this normal? Any ideas what it could be?

Thanks

 

Yes. Normal. Many have added a Sprint Booster to remap the throttle response. I have bought but yet to install. Lots of posts on the SB. Those that have installed a SB state that it transforms the acceleration. I bought mine at tdotperformance.ca (Canada and free shipping) when had a sitewide 15% off sale.

 

Same experience here on my 2012 Turbo, added Sprint Booster a few months ago and much better now.

Also just curious - does anyone know whether all panameras start in 2nd gear when in normal mode? Or just the Turbo and GTS?

 

My 4S (970.2) starts in 2nd in Comfort (normal) mode too.

 

GTS starts in 2nd in Sport mode as well.

 

In a 970.2, from a stop, if you depress the throttle very quickly the car will pull away in first gear. This is the case in both normal and sport mode. You do not have to apply full throttle to pull away in 1st gear. A quick application to 1/2 throttle or even less will result in the car selecting and pulling away in 1st gear. The key is you must move the throttle pedal to say half throttle in a very short time, a few tenths of a second. You have to snap it open to the position you want, if you want first gear. If you "roll" into the throttle the car will pull away in 2nd gear, with the feel of hesitation described above. If you snap it open to say 1/3 throttle, the car will select first gear and pull away at a fairly modest pace. It you snap it open to full throttle you will pull away...rapidly. These cars recognize not only throttle position but the rate at which the throttle moves. Once you understand this you will have a much easier time communicating with the car and making it do what you want. The car will listen, you just have to talk to it in the language it understands. You can use this characteristic while under way to get a immediate part throttle downshift as well. It is not necessary to push the throttle past "kickdown" to initiate a downshift.

 

My 2014 "S" always started in 2nd gear unless I shifted manually.
My 2017 Turbo always starts in 1st gear. It is an eight speed. It's 7th gear speed is roughly equivalent to the 7th gear speed on my '14. The 8th gear is a bit higher.
Mounted Sprint Booster on both cars - really wakes up low rpm throttle response.

 

Starting in second gear is fine for normal driving but I find, like the OP mentions, that pushing harder on the throttle just results in jerky take off, especially on hills. So either hit the throttle quickly or manually shift to first. I typically shift to first when starting on hills.

I also learned, almost the hard way, to select first when maneuvering in parking garages with steep grades. The clutch will sometimes engage abruptly if your slipping the clutch too long. The owners manual also recommended extra care when in maneuvering in parking areas. Now I know why.