Daily Driving in Lobo Mode

[r0tax]

Agree - I only drive Lobo mode in manual.

I actually like prefer the manual paddles more than a manual transmission gasp. I prefer to have the “computer” operate the “clutch pedal”. It does a very good job. No stalls & no money shifts

Modern manual (Focus ST) would mostly take care of you regarding stalls. Between helping you with the throttle management (if you couldn't be bothered to modulate the throttle along with clutch), and hill brake-assist, I don't think I ever stalled the FoST.
And if you do stall, you just improve your control/skill until you get it. Its actually very rewarding to improve ones self/ability!

You even get auto throttle-blips on downshifts in the newest manuals!

Ummm, you know it's a turbo motor right?? Should be making power to redline and you don't want to shift down early and end up out of boost in what is a RACE MODE.

Just seeming a rather silly objection to a race mode acting like a race mode.

I know its a turbo engine.
I know its a SMALL turbo.
I know it makes peak torque/boost quite low in the RPM range.
And I know boost falls off at high RPM.
This turbo does not make max boost to red line.
It hits hard early (big torque), and then tapers off.. It makes it 'safe' for public use and ideal at lower speeds.
I understand in a 'racing situation' having it Rev to red line is useful, and sometimes better than an upshift, especially when you have a corner approaching, and need some decel assist and to have it in the right gear/RPM for the exit. (if only it wouldn't still automatically upshift as it approaches redline--even in Manual mode)

My distinction was specific to "auto" mode in "Lobo" mode for use as a daily driver.

And additionally, Revving to redline isn't always super useful from a "performance" stand point, where you'd ideally be closer to the 'max boost' RPM range.

I don't have a whole lot of logging on the Lobo yet, but did extensive logging on a FoST 2.0L with stock small turbo. It hits hard at 2700 RPM with 22 PSI (max) boost. Then by ~5,000 RPM boost trickles off to low teens or so.
So, instead of running it out to redline (7,000) and having minimal boost, up shifting to next gear would put it back into the optimum boost range again, and it'll generate speed much faster with more boost than it will with more RPMs.

Using similar logic on a similar sized engine and similarly sized turbo is where my conclusions come from.

With Big Turbo that can build max boost from 3k to red line, then sure, Let er eat at 25 PSI all the way out to Redline, in every gear.

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[Chops]

I don't think I ever stalled the FoST.
And if you do stall, you just improve your control/skill until you get it. Its actually very rewarding to improve ones self/ability!
You even get auto throttle-blips on downshifts in the newest manuals!

I mastered the Manual on the Corolla Hatch…had the auto rev match “iMT” - intelligent Manual Transmission. Now discontinued. Easiest Manual to learn on - very fun!!

But I stalled more than once learning. C’mon, you never stalled? You’re a Maestro of the Manual

 

[r0tax]

I mastered the Manual on the Corolla Hatch…had the auto rev match “iMT” - intelligent Manual Transmission. Now discontinued. Easiest Manual to learn on - very fun!!

But I stalled more than once learning. C’mon, you never stalled? You’re a Maestro of the Manual

I learned on a 1986 2.8L V6 S10 with 4MT as a 14 yo or so. I stalled that, often.. lol
Actually, it was likely on a tractor prior to that, and tractors are stupid simple with their low gearing-Pop clutch and let er roll, done.


My Focus would basically let me slowly let out the clutch in 1st gear and would add revs/throttle to help avoid stalling.
I may have once or twice on a Hill stop, when practicing without the hill brake-assist enabled. I was modulating the E-brake, clutch pedal, and throttle all at once, to practice launching from a hill without rolling back. So E brake was on, and had to let the clutch out 'slightly' against the e-brake, while holding revs enough to avoid a stalll...and slowly releasing e-brake lever all in combination. It was a fun trick to learn, but I'll admit, i prefer using hill brake-assist instead. But I wanted to know how to do it without the computer aides.

 

[Chops]

So E brake was on, and had to let the clutch out 'slightly' against the e-brake, while holding revs enough to avoid a stalll...and slowly releasing e-brake lever all in combination. It was a fun trick to learn, but I'll admit, i prefer using hill brake-assist instead. But I wanted to know how to do it without the computer aides.

And in the US (unlike the UK I bet) drivers will pull right up on your ass on a hilly stoplight - then honk IMMEDIATELY because they mistake me fumbling to restart as me fumbling on my phone. 99.99% of the time it IS folks phone fumbling in the US - but geez don’t tailgate at least!

 

[r0tax]

After a bit more testing with Lobo (auto) mode, I think I figured out why 3rd gear is so Long. It really likes to 'live in 3rd gear' on long constant grades under decel (off throttle).
You get a good amount of 'range of speed' in a single gear, from 2500-6000 RPM.
I think Lobo (auto) mode favors this 3rd gear.

I still wish 2nd gear was longer, so it wasn't so redundant to 1st gear.
But I think I understand why 3rd gear is the way it is now.. (2nd gear is the issue.)

The Lobo rips in Lobo mode in the Twisties. The more I get comfortable with its mannerisms (and the more I forget the feeling/handling of the Focus ST), the better I get at operating it.
I think I even notice some diff. vectoring (or maybe even brake vectoring?) action under decel in the fast twisties.
Is the rear diff Active on decel in Lobo mode??

--
Regarding faffing with phones and in-car displays while driving...
I did a LOT less of that with a manual trans, than that which I [am able to] do in an Auto trans.
Manual trans focuses me like no other, on the road and the driving process.
You read the road and vehicles further ahead (anticipating the need for gear changes well before they need to happen).

 

[Bdesign]

So, is there any torque-vectoring in modes other than Lobo mode?

 

[colinl]

So, is there any torque-vectoring in modes other than Lobo mode?

yes, it's just not nearly as aggressive.

 

[ramrodder]

Lobo mode full time is crazy. Whenever I put it into Lobo mode, I feel like I'm going to blow a piston or break something expensive.

 

[pa4ul]

yes, it's just not nearly as aggressive.

I dont notice much difference in turning when I'm not in lobo mode. They all feel the same from sport to eco to normal but when you turn on lobo mode in the twistys it feels like a whole different vehicle. IF there is any vectoring its not noticeable at all in normal driving.

 

[Bdesign]

That is what I thought. That torque vectoring is only on in the Lobo mode. I was hoping I was wrong because it was such a hyped feature, yet it is a feature that is rarely available. It should be part of sport mode in some form. The Lobo is about handling, not about auto-crossing in a parking lot. Give us the torque vectoring on a normal basis.

 

[Chops]

I dont notice much difference in turning when I'm not in lobo mode. They all feel the same from sport to eco to normal but when you turn on lobo mode in the twistys it feels like a whole different vehicle. IF there is any vectoring its not noticeable at all in normal driving.

Yep - I only feel the 100% rear wheel vectoring when cornering over 35mph. Going up the local canyon road I could tailgate a hot hatch if I were a jerk & drop them on the descents if I were stupid. I’m neither - while driving at least!

 

[Chops]

Lobo mode full time is crazy. Whenever I put it into Lobo mode, I feel like I'm going to blow a piston or break something expensive.

I don’t get that at all - but I drive “Lobo Mode” normally. If I drive ECO or Normal Modes the weird transmission feels like IT is going to break Paddle shifting in Lobo Mode seems healthy not explosive…

 

[r0tax]

Lobo in Auto is obnoxious with the Revs..
Lobo in Manual feels right!

I think that the "diff-tricks" should also be enabled in Sport.
When I don't want to Manual mode (around town/city driving), I just run Sport if I want to feel sporty.
Or leave it in Normy if i can't be bothered to faff with modes. Often times I'll go back n forth between Norm and Sport depending on where I'm at or going..

If I'm rippin some twisties/canyons, then it gets Lobo or Sport, and Manual mode.

 

[Bdesign]

per ford website- only in Lobo mode

 

[dochawk]

But I don’t want to trundle (said in a whiny high pitched voice)

stop whining and get back in bed so your brother can close it!

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