Forums / Coupe and Hatch Pre 2011 Road Tests and Model Reports / EGS - Yahoo!! - C4

Premier Membership * Great Discounts + * Personal Photo Gallery + * = Great Value [read more....]

C4 - DS4 Owners :: Forums :: Coupe and Hatch Pre 2011 cars :: Coupe and Hatch Pre 2011 Road Tests and Model Reports

<< Previous thread | Next thread >>


EGS - Yahoo!!	Please Register to enjoy additional Member Benefits

Author

Post

Dom

Fri Dec 15 2006, 06:46pm

I've spent the last 8 years commuting between Leeds & Manchester - 120 miles every day - and, until this week, every day has been a gear-change chore. Every day, pushing the [%*^#@!] clutch in, changing gear, pushing the [%*^#@!] clutch in, changing gear....... Thing is, given that I do 40k miles a year, my main concern is fuel economy.

So an auto gearbox?..no way! So I do some research, look at the data - and see that the C4 VTR+EGS looks good in terms of economy. Then I test drive it, love the sexy dashboard, and the exterior looks.

[%*^#@!] it - buy the [%*^#@!] thing Dom. So I did, got a new one last week! FANTASTIC. In the last 8 years I've had a Ford Mondeo diesel (super comfortable), VW Lupo diesel sport (mega-economical) and a Megane 1.9DCi Privilege (super comfortable and mega-economical) but the C4 takes the best features of them all, adds [%*^#@!] appeal, and then throws in the best gearbox I have ever driven (and I've owned some fabulous cars).

Best driven in 'auto' manual/sport - as far as I am concerned I will NEVER buy a manual again. So, if you are unsure whether to pay the £500 premium for EGS, don't be. Get the [%*^#@!] - it is great!

Dave_Retired. United Kingdom

Sat Dec 16 2006, 02:09am

Member No: #1

Joined: Aug 07 2006
Location: Northumberland

Thanks for the input DOM - I'm sure everyone else will be interested in your comments

When I bought mine the option wasn't available or I would have considered it. If I change I will remember your ringing endorsement!

My wife drives an A class 190d with Merc continuous Variable Auto box - I don't drive it very often but it was frosty this morning so we took that out of the garage and went shopping - was a boon in all the Xmas traffic, plant you foot down in sport mode and all you have to do is point it and go, great fun which I'm sure the C4 will be as you can control it more

To make a full auto box respond anywhere near a manual is difficult and requires a different driving technique but isn't so bad with a nice 'torquey' diesel engine with lots of low down grunt but is much harder with a breathless small petrol model from any manufacturer.

With full Automatic gearboxes, engine horsepower is king

CoolCarbon

Sun Dec 17 2006, 08:32am

Sounds good...

Picking my EGS on Tuesday after several delays....Looking forward to it even more now....

wozza

Sun Dec 17 2006, 12:20pm

Member No: #2

Joined: Aug 12 2006
Location: Manchester

Tried a couple other sequential boxes but not the EGS yet. Still not a fan of them unless your in traffic. But i just like having a manual box for some reason. Although 1 of my other cars is an auto. Do not like it.

Would like to try the citroen one though see if its any better my only gripes usually are some of them take ages to shift.

Bill

Mon Dec 18 2006, 05:39am

Member No: #9

Joined: Aug 12 2006
Location: Cornwall, England.

Timings.

Due to the use of new electro-hydraulic actuators, the six-speed electronic gearbox system makes shifting gentle and smooth in both manual and automated mode.

Smooth shifting (with virtually no jolts) is not obtained at the expense of shifting speed. The six-speed electronic gearbox system reconciles both and distinguishes itself by the speed with which it manages gear changes.

The time for a gear change is:

0.8 seconds for changing a gear in manual mode,

1.2 seconds for changing a gear in automated mode.

A sport mode for even more responsiveness

The six-speed electronic gearbox system of the C4 also offers a sport mode. This mode, which is available with both manual and automated operation, constantly favours fast gear changes. The total time required for shifting is thus brought down to 0.4 seconds in manual mode and 0.5 seconds in automated mode.

In automated mode, the sport mode is obtained by implementing specific shift pattern: upshifts and downshifts are triggered at higher engine speeds than in normal operation.

The sport mode is activated by the S button on the shift gate. Once selected, an S is displayed on the instrument panel.

Dave_Retired. United Kingdom

Mon Dec 18 2006, 06:47am

Member No: #1

Joined: Aug 07 2006
Location: Northumberland

Thanks Bill - Sounds like it works in a similar fashion to the A Class CVT box then with the selectable mode - you have to use the gearshift though to up and down by tapping it sideways as there are no paddles

Bill

Mon Dec 18 2006, 12:55pm

Member No: #9

Joined: Aug 12 2006
Location: Cornwall, England.

There were paddles on the one I tried?
=========
1/. A manual mode in which he retains full control over gear changes by using the shift paddles behind the steering wheel or the sequential shift lever.
2/. An automated mode in which the gear selection is managed by the gearbox control unit.
=========

CoolCarbon

Mon Dec 18 2006, 01:51pm

Yup, it has paddles or you can use the Gearshift.

It's not CVT, It has a normal gearbox, just the change mechanism is done by smoke and mirrors.... 8-|

Pick mine up tomorrow at last.... crosi!

wozza

Tue Dec 19 2006, 02:36am

Member No: #2

Joined: Aug 12 2006
Location: Manchester

Id have to try it I am just not a big fan of auto boxes. For some reason I like having a clutch. Been a few times when I have jumped out the C4 into the Chevy and put my foot down to push the clutch to realise there is no clutch. As a result I ended up slamming on the brakes.

Bill

Tue Dec 19 2006, 04:13am

Member No: #9

Joined: Aug 12 2006
Location: Cornwall, England.

As a result I ended up slamming on the brakes.

Lol, been there, done that...Last week in fact, trying out the EGS...

Dave_Retired. United Kingdom

Tue Dec 19 2006, 11:10am

Member No: #1

Joined: Aug 07 2006
Location: Northumberland

Thanks to Bill for finding a great explanation on the web from citroen.mb.ca on how the Citroen EGS Gearbox works

Plus I made a pdf version you can download and read at your leisure - Click Here -

CoolCarbon

Tue Dec 19 2006, 12:11pm

Picked up our new VTR+ this afternoon...first impressions of the EGS..

I like it... a lot, so far.

In "Auto" mode, the changes are very smooth, both up and down the Box.

In "Manual" mode, the speed/time it takes to swap the cogs is quick, at least as quick as if you were using a true manual and clutch...

In "Manual" mode, I also found the following...

It wont let you change up too soon, no chance of causing the motor to 'Labour'

You don't need to change down through the gears when coming to a halt, the car takes over and puts you in the correct gear despite you having selected "Manual"

You can miss gears by double tapping the paddles, say when changing up from 3rd, you can miss out 4th and go to 5th etc.

With Cruise control set, you can change between gears, again to prevent the motor from labouring, for example, when you are climbing a steep hill and the car was in 6th gear, you can tap the down shift paddle to 5th but the cruise remains engaged...unlike when you dip the clutch of the fully manual box.

One wee down side I've found....it wont hold a gear at tick-over,

In my previous fully manual VTR+, if you're in a slow traffic queue you can leave it in a low gear and the car will crawl without you having to press the gas pedal...not with EGS. No 'Auto' creep at all...yes I know there's no Torque Converter...

Lets hope my new found toy continues to make me look forward to driving the car everytime I climb aboard... crosi!

One Big minus.....I spec'd it up to include the JBL.....WASTE OF TIME..no improvement at all over the basic kit, £350 wasted...

:@

Glass Roof and Leather are very nice though..... hrt!

wozza

Tue Dec 19 2006, 01:11pm

Member No: #2

Joined: Aug 12 2006
Location: Manchester

JBL might need setting up there should be a definite increase in low end sound considering you have a sub woofer. Most of the speakers are no different though think it just adds an amp and sub that's about it. Possible the music your listening to is not taking advantage of the setup if there is not much bass or you have not played around with the setup of the system.

Phase the sound towards the front a bit, Then adjust the bass till its filling in the low end don't want it to be there too much but sho0uld definitely be heard. If your not a bass lover and you turn it down its not gonna make a bit of difference. Having the JBL system.

Dave_Retired. United Kingdom

Tue Dec 19 2006, 01:22pm

Member No: #1

Joined: Aug 07 2006
Location: Northumberland

wozza wrote ...

JBL might need setting up there should be a definite increase in low end sound considering you have a sub woofer. Most of the speakers are no different though think it just adds an amp and sub that's about it. Possible the music your listening to is not taking advantage of the setup if there is not much bass or you have not played around with the setup of the system.

Phase the sound towards the front a bit, Then adjust the bass till its filling in the low end don't want it to be there too much but sho0uld definitely be heard. If your not a bass lover and you turn it down its not gonna make a bit of difference. Having the JBL system.

The handbook for any car with JBL option actually recommends setting all the functions like Bass, Treble, Balance, Fade etc. to '0'

The Loudness to 'On' for a CD player

The loudness to 'Off' for the radio

Have a check and make sure someone at the dealers hasn't been playing around with the setup

wozza

Tue Dec 19 2006, 01:31pm

Member No: #2

Joined: Aug 12 2006
Location: Manchester

Dont care on what the book says

.

Fade to the front. Your ears are not pointed behind you having rear sound ruins the stereo imaging. Hence why my rear speakers are disconnected. And just have upgraded front components now. With a sub dealing with the low end.

Theres forums around on the net that will tell you best way to set up the system will be the same for pretty much any stereo you use...following the manual isnt the way to do it. Setup is the most important bit. Might also be worth adding some sound proofing into the door pods that will make it a little louder and increase the sound quality and stop any rattles.

Go to page >>
Jump: Back to top User Colour Key: Head Administrator, Administrator, Forum Moderator, Forum Moderator, Premier Member, Technical Expert, New C4 and DS4 Forum Moderators, Member