VRS power limiting below 90% SoC

[Dms85]

Trying to decide between 85x sportline and VRS.

I keep reading about the full power in VRS only being available above a certain SoC but can’t find much info about exactly how much it is reduced or how this affects real world driving.

A power reduction of more than 10% or so wouldn’t leave much daylight between VRS and sportline most of the time given that keeping the battery below 80% day to day seems to be recommended?

Presumably there is an element of power restriction/battery management with all evs at certain SoC but I only seem to see it mentioned with regard to the VRs so interested to hear the perspective of current VRS owners.

[kilroy]

80x here with 265 hp (from 2 motors: 210 + 105 hp): it's way quicker than the average traffic around and it can quickly get you into legal trouble with the police.
The grip is flawless even at -6 C (21 F) and car moves forward in a perfect straight line, like a train on rails.

the main issues in real life for me are completely different than the power:
1. the quality of the ride. Even with the DCC in Comfort and 19" wheels, while decent, it's way bumpier than the Passat GTE with DCC. The 2350 kg can't be controlled so smoothly as the 1700 kg of the GTE.
I'm guessing the Sportline and VRS can be even more uncomfortable. Pay attention to the ride quality.
Also, the car always starts in Normal mode. The driver has to manually switch to the Individual or Comfort mode every single [damn] time.

2. the stopping power. I have noticed that the regenerative braking provides very adequate braking in all normal situations, but if something jumps in front of me and I need to stop immediately, I need to throw my foot at the braking pedal and it's nowhere near as effective at braking as the Passat GTE. If I start a strong acceleration, the road better be pretty clear of obstacles, because this "mountain" is not going to be stopped very easily.

[Aragorn]

Its not only SoC but temperature too.

Its more noticable at lower SoC, but for instance the 80x loaner i had, at 50% SOC on a cold day wouldnt have full power available. After some driving the power available would actually increase as the battery warmed up. On a warmer day at the same SoC you'd have more available.

My 60 is much less affected by this due to its lower peak output, meaning you dont exceed the limits quite as often.

But indeed, between an 85x and a VRS in many conditions both cars would be limited by the battery rather than the motors, and would thus perform identically.


On Kilroys points:
I didnt really notice a huge difference in ride between the 80x Sportline and my 60 either. Infact the 80x was nicer due to my 60 having duff rear shocks at the time.

The brakes are not ineffective, but they feel very different. Most modern ICE cars have massively boosted brakes requiring very little pedal effort. Most EV's take a different tack. To allow regen blending, the pedal is softer and has significantly more travel, the cars computer ramps in regen before it starts using the hydraulic brakes. The crux is that for hard braking, the pedal moves much futher and requires more leg effort than what would be expected from a typical ICE. In terms of the actual braking power available, its no different to any other car, it has sufficient brakes to lock the wheels, you just have to press a bit harder. It is ofcourse heavier, and the greater mass takes more stopping, but thats a physical limit of the tyres and traction available, rather than the brakes themselves.

[Walter Eagle]

The brakes are not ineffective, but they feel very different. Most modern ICE cars have massively boosted brakes requiring very little pedal effort. Most EV's take a different tack. To allow regen blending, the pedal is softer and has significantly more travel, the cars computer ramps in regen before it starts using the hydraulic brakes. The crux is that for hard braking, the pedal moves much futher and requires more leg effort than what would be expected from a typical ICE. In terms of the actual braking power available, its no different to any other car, it has sufficient brakes to lock the wheels, you just have to press a bit harder. It is ofcourse heavier, and the greater mass takes more stopping, but thats a physical limit of the tyres and traction available, rather than the brakes themselves.

Very well expressed. I'd not got around to thinking of it in those terms myself, but I completely agree now that I've read your input. Thanks.

[MacDragon]

It must be said, my previous Fabia always had very 'soft' brakes relative to the few other cars I've driven - though they've been bled and refilled a couple of times, so it seems just how they were - and they stopped the car fine and passed inspection etc.

But moving from that to the Enyaq was pretty easy for me really, they feel surprisingly similar braking.

[Coupevrs]

I have the VRs and have only had the full power a handful of times.

I think it’s above 77% and there is a temperature restriction too.

[Dms85]

Thanks for the replies.

I’m a serial VRS/stupidly big wheel owner so no stranger to a firm ride. But in my old age I am getting less tolerant of it so leaning away from vrs but I am a sucker for some sporty trim.

When you say you’ve only had full power a handful of times does the car display the level of restriction somewhere? And if so what sort of level are we talking about at what charge level….say 50% at a given temp? Lots of variables I know but interesting in a ballpark figure.

[Goatboy]

Thanks for the replies.

I’m a serial VRS/stupidly big wheel owner so no stranger to a firm ride. But in my old age I am getting less tolerant of it so leaning away from vrs but I am a sucker for some sporty trim.

When you say you’ve only had full power a handful of times does the car display the level of restriction somewhere? And if so what sort of level are we talking about at what charge level….say 50% at a given temp? Lots of variables I know but interesting in a ballpark figure.

It's not quite that scientific, there is a green power bar on the dash (and a blue Regen bar). It shows you what power you are currently using And what is available. It doesn't have any numbers on it. So you don't really know what you don't have but you know you have some sort of reduction.
Had my vrs in winter only and it's not once shown me full power being available (also I rarely charge over 80%).
It does feel a bit quicker if I charge to 100% and I think the power bar goes up a little higher but I'm not 100% sure!

Having said all that the vrs is still pretty quick. It's not ev rocket ship fast, look elsewhere for that but it has plenty of go.

My one complaint is that because it's so big and quiet the acceleration can be a little lost on you and it's only when you look down at the speedo you realize how fast you are going.

Edit to add it's not anything like 50% reduction maybe 5-10%