Factory navigation, fuel economy/EV range, regen. braking

[Jimbo.]

Some years ago, much fuss was made about the Rolls Royce Phamtom of the time linking its ZF gearbox to the satellite navigation system: if the car knew a hill, crest, corner or roundabout was coming up, the car (or rather the gearbox) adjusted its shifting “strategy”, picking or holding onto gears to maintain the smoothest and most efficient drive.

Has this technology spread to other, most common cars now we’re 15-20 years further along and in a _very_ different automotive world I only ask as my definitely-not-a-Rolls-Royce-Phantom Kia PHEV seems* to return slightly better EV-range and MPG figures when I use the factory-fit navigation vs. Apple Maps or Google Maps. The regenerative braking feels more aggressive and the battery %age display shows much greater recuperation over a drive. amongst all the bings and bongs are instructions to “coast” when approaching roundabouts etc. Is this a thing, or am I just imagining it?

• seems = usual Jimbo overthinking, and the rather fine beer I’m currently enjoying may or may not be helping my recollection.

Edited by Jimbo. on Saturday 24th August 19:56

Edited by Jimbo. on Saturday 24th August 19:57

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Yes it has very much filtered down.

My car has an automatic mode for how much regen to use.

Lift off on an empty dual carriageway and it won't slow down much at all.

Lift off approaching a roundabout or lower speed limit and you can pretty much drive without braking as it will slow down for you.

Also slows down when approaching other vehicles, a bit like adaptive cruise control.