I must admit after a few other fast cars, I find the MPS not fast away from the lights unless you want to really cane it. The close ratio box means its a bit short in the legs in 1st and only a short hop into 2nd, although as we all know it gets real good in third and upwards from there. That's what makes it such a good high-performance tourer. It'd be great in Europe on winding mountain roads. I don't drag at lights anyway, as I don't like feeding all the power into the transmission from zero.
You might find the attached chart handy or interesting. Based on stock tyres and tune. It shows just how close 1st and 2nd gear are and the sizeable jump to 3rd. Fortunately the engine is so torquey there is no real issue with this. Gear speeds chart.pdf
CP_e Standback & PNP; CP_e 3" SS Downpipe; Corksport FMIC with Top-mount K&N filter & OEM Ram CAI; Turbosmart BOV; Dashhawk; Prosport Boost Guage; JBR solid shift bushes; DBA 4000 Wiper-Slot front rotors; Hawk Ferro-Carbon HPS Street front brake pads (@ 69,000km); Sumitomo HTRZIII's in 225/45 x 18