Again, let's get something straight here: there is a use of the word adaptive that has two different meanings in the context of the transmission. Due to this, I will refer to the shift pressure regulation as "learning" instead of adaptive.

The adaptive shift control function is operational throughout the range and I did not mean to infer that it is the kickdown function. The kickdown function is only activated if you go to full throttle and then a bit more to depress the kickdown switch.

What I was referring to in the prior post was the fact that in the mode selctor switch models when in E, part throttle downshift is not going to readily occur and can leave a person with the perception that the engine is not as powerful due to having to go nearly to the floor to get a downshift whereas the same car with the switch set to S will get a part throttle downshift with little throttle depression.

The adaptive shift control analyzes the throttle motions and detects a person easing the throttle up and down as desiring a transmission that shifts early and easy and doesn't change between gears readily as that is disturbing to his quiet soul.

When this same driver gets in a situation where he needs to GO!, the trans control unit will have detected the sudden throttle changes and will downshift readily with a rapid throttle depression aand will hold out the shifts to a higher rpm/road speed where the engine is more powerful. The program is more incremental that a simple S or E mode.

The switch on the earlier models was a source of problems whenever someone perched a purse or anything else on top of mode selector switch so that the two buttons were neither one depressed fully. This would give a trans trouble indication via the flashing upshift arrow and blinking mode LEDs. Also the cost of the switch and its wiring is far more than the lines of code and an increase in memory in the control unit, especially given that the adaptive shift control is just simply better at making the trans do what one would want it to do.

There is no "learning" and memorization in this function as that defeats the instant responsiveness benfit of having this function.

On the other hand the "learning" involves the trans control unit watching gearshift duration so as to change the fluid pressure regulation when needed to prevent any slippage as indicated by a lengthier than acceptable shift.

I would guess that the subtle changes you note after you drive one of your other cars and return to the S80 has more to do with getting used to, once again, the touchy throttle response of the electronic throttle program on an S80 T6.