[Had to put my 110 acquisition on hold, but still doing my homework diligently, albeit slowly]

I've been lucky enough to drive a P400 130 SE X-Dynamic for a while, and the first thing I noticed there is very short gearing between the 1st and 2nd gears - feels great off the traffic light. Next experience was a P300 110 S, and it doesn't feel like the gearing there is as short. So the question is, is this a P300/P400 thing, 110/130 thing, or a trim thing?

PS: One of those intangibles that you only find out when you get your hands on it... priceless.

 

a P300/P400 thing

 

The 110 P300 is the 2.0-liter I4, while the 130 P300 is a detuned MHEV I6 and the P400 for all trims is the 3.0-liter MHEV I6. More torque off the line with the MHEV system. P400 has a beefed up version of the ZF 8HP transmission that can handle the extra torque. As far as gearing, I think they are the same final drive but I could be wrong. Having spent time in several P400s over the years, I can say that the gearing is very similar to my 110 P300.

 

I dunno. My P300 90S MY23.5 never uses 1st gear unless you force it. Always starts in 2nd.

It's there if you need it.

 

Definitely not the case for these two, 2024 110 S vs. 2024 SE X-Dynamic 130.

I usually drive a stick and a DCT in manual mode and pay attention to shifting patterns, so I was puzzled by this extremely short 1-2 shift to the point that I was driving around the block observing how it goes. It is present in that 130, and it's definitely not there in the 110. Their shifting feels very different.

Having said that, I'd say that even P300 seems to be quite decent for what I want to do with the vehicle - overlanding and offroading. V8 should be made illegal Though I wouldn't mind the paddles.