Three wonderfully fun days in a row on tracks around here. I got the CVT "working" well, so it was huge fun and reinforced that this is a technically-interesting package in the MINI lineup.
Two techniques seemed to work best. I would love some critical questions from you to help me sort this out.
Steptronic was the most fun. After trying all kinds of variations, the most effective for me was to set the car under left-foot braking and bang downshifts to the appropriate "gear" selection for the exit, using throttle to feed in power as the brakes eased after turn-in. The computer does precise upshifts at 6,000rpm with no manual input. More coordinated work under braking on entry, concentrate on steering and throttle on exit. This became a rhythm, more and more enjoyable each lap.
SportDrive was again a surprise. On the last day when we were on Pacific Raceways (formerly Seattle International Raceways, 2.2mi, 9 turn) with a very long front straight, I tried to see which program pulled the best.
This "straight" essentially starts at Turn 8 through various kinks to braking for Turn 2. There is an "instructed lap" video of the track in a BMW. The video "begins" at the downhill entry to Turn 3A:
http://www.proformanceraceschool.com/
Using the Steptronic "shifting" technique from the previous days (above), I hit 107mph at the braking point for Turn 2. Using SportDrive with the throttle held just short of the kickdown detent (versus all the way to the floor which produces "shifting") I hit 110mph at the end of the straight. Faster! We decided that this approach may hold engine rpm in the best portion of the power band, and that perhaps the CVT was working as designed using continuous and very smooth ratio change.
The rest of track also benefited from left-foot braking in SD. The computer overworked to find the right combinations, and it doesn't seem to like quick throttle inputs. I tried to spool up the engine well before needing it, using both throttle and brakes. You sort of "release" the car.
The SD approach needs more work on technique, and I would still like to do objective measured acceleration runs in each of the modes.
This car is very "quick", not particularly straight-line "fast". In the first two days, powerful cars left me behind on the straight but I would catch up in the twisties, lap after lap. Some interesting machinery too; Mercedes, Audi, BMW, Subaru, Porsche. The third day had other MINIs (Cooper and Cooper S, even a Cooper racecar) with varied skill levels. The CVT held its own. It works, never missed a shift either.
I ran three track days in a row, all day long, noticeable tire wear, but nothing is used up or worn out. The magic of a light, well-balanced car!
The CVT should have it's own badge.
