[Niner]

Take a look at a torque graph on your motor and you'll see you can unleash that monster torque quite early in the rpm band. My 2012 gets it on about 250 to 300 rpms sooner than my 2013 1450-1500rpm vs 1750, due to a proper sized turbo and with less turbo lag. "D" unleashes the torque just fine. There is more turbo lag in the 2013/2014. It's noticeable if you drove a 2012 for a year and then drive a 2013, as I did.

 

[Niner]

I have never used the Sport mode in either my 2012 or 2013 V6 TDI Touaregs. Drive is perfect, for my needs. Pretty sure the German engineers build for efficiency in a diesel.

 

[Niner]

Does no one ever use Tiptronic?

THAT is the REAL wakey wakey call!

I use it all the time when towing my travel trailer... set it in a gear, hold 2000 rpm going up hill, and call it good. If the motor won't hold 2000 and starts to fall off, next gear down, and start all over at it,until it will hold 2000 rpm going up hill. 2000 rpm is well up on the range of rpm to hold max torque at 406 fr lbs.