Have they fixed the DCT with a software update?

[Honeywell]

I keep reading muttering that the DCT gearbox software has been updated resulting in a much improved shift speed. Is that actually true?

[M Daddy]

I am booked in on Saturday for the latest software updates which should include this fabled DCT fix. For me, the major issue is that it takes an eternity to switch between R, N and D. If this also makes the manual shifts more snappy then that's a bonus. I got my car in March and the manual shifts were already way better than early reviews had stated. I would say on a par with my RS3 but not quite as aggressive as the E90 M3 I had previously.

I'll post back here on Saturday.

Edited by M Daddy on Sunday 17th November 20:57

[Honeywell]

Thank you.

[M Daddy]

I had all the latest software updates applied this morning and I'm pleased to confirm that the ponderous R - N - D shifts are fixed now. It's near instantaneous and certainly no longer than any other auto box I've used.

Although I didn't have a big problem with the manual shifts from new, there is also a marked improvement in these too. It's especially noticable on the downshift. I wasn't able to provoke any significant stutters or delays. It's still not quite as satisfying as the best of the best but it's definitely way better than the original reviews suggested and somewhat better than at delivery.

[jamesgareth]

Honeywell said:

I keep reading muttering that the DCT gearbox software has been updated resulting in a much improved shift speed. Is that actually true?

I just bought an i4 with all the latest software updates loaded - and the gear changes are super-fast both up and down. I was concerned with all the bad press about them - but they really are super quick in both directions.

Picture of the car just for the heck of it.

[Honeywell]

Spoke to a sales guy about viewing this yesterday. Does seem like a lot of car for the money.

Just a bit concerned that the new SE AMG has been uncorked power wise and will thus leave the 360hp versions as lemons? Will Lotus offer an uncorking power upgrade path?

[jamesgareth]

Honeywell said:

Spoke to a sales guy about viewing this yesterday. Does seem like a lot of car for the money.

Just a bit concerned that the new SE AMG has been uncorked power wise and will thus leave the 360hp versions as lemons? Will Lotus offer an uncorking power upgrade path?

The grass is always greener huh? Somebody will bring out a tuning kit soon enough. Then they'll bring out one for that 400bhp SE. Then Lotus will bring out a slightly tweaked version of both. And so on and so on. It never ends.

So let me tell you this: I bought an i4 a few weeks ago - I have never once had the thought 'I need more power'.

Get one while stocks last!

[croyde]

I bought an Alpine a few months ago, a standard one with 250bhp.

There are 300bhp versions but apart from bragging rights, I have not been in a situation on the road where I thought that I didn't have enough power.

I guess on a track it would be important.

[col68]

Always feels light on its feet and I also believe it doesn’t require a power boost. Tempted to fit the Aeire carbon paddles though.

[interstellar]

Is that one of the vivid red ones?

Edited by interstellar on Sunday 8th December 20:16

[M Daddy]

Wow - that colour pops!

The paddles are tempting but I got scared off with the installation. Dismantling the steering assembly looked non-trivial.

Edited by M Daddy on Monday 9th December 14:27

[Honeywell]

That looks sensational in the colour.

[col68]

interstellar said:

Is that one of the vivid red ones?

Edited by interstellar on Sunday 8th December 20:16

Yes, vivid red , stunning colour

[col68]

M Daddy said:

Wow - that colour pops!

The paddles are tempting but I got scared off with the installation. Dismantling the steering assembly looked non-trivial.

Edited by M Daddy on Monday 9th December 14:27

I’ve ordered them so will update once I’ve got them fitted.

[M Daddy]

col68 said:

I’ve ordered them so will update once I’ve got them fitted.

Nice one. I look forwward to hearing your update.

[M Daddy]

BAHN-STORMA said:

Do you still have to move the lever twice to engage forward and reverse?

Yeah, that's still the case but the main issue was that each shift took a few seconds and didn't register half the time so the total time to move between D & R was too long. After the update it changes almost instantly so the double shift isn't a problem now. Parking is no longer a drawn out affair

[Honeywell]

The one I drove had the software update and I parked it - the changes were as instant as any DCT I've ever tried. I specifically blipped it down a couple of gears on the drive and it was instant in nature. I do think the software update eradicates the former issues. Which is great in a way but also raises the question of why they ever left the factory in a flawed state originally.

[M Daddy]

Honeywell said:

The one I drove had the software update and I parked it - the changes were as instant as any DCT I've ever tried. I specifically blipped it down a couple of gears on the drive and it was instant in nature. I do think the software update eradicates the former issues. Which is great in a way but also raises the question of why they ever left the factory in a flawed state originally.

The real travesty was that they allowed the press cars to go out for road tests in that state which led to some very luke warm reviews. I'm sure that must have hurt i4 sales. It certainly had me worried until I drove the demo car some weeks later. I'm convinced that even by then the manual shifts had been vastly improved from what early reviews were describing. However, this latest update has tightened them up further plus now also fixed the D, N, R shifts too.

[col68]

M Daddy said:

Nice one. I look forwward to hearing your update.

Big Improvement!

[M Daddy]

Looking good. Is this just the paddles or does it include the mechanism too? It would be nice to get a more positive click feedback when shifting.