did some more expermenting today:
firstly kick down in my FR does not work at all in manual mode and yes i am pressing the button
secondly the kick down works fine in D and S find it very handy for overtaking

thirdly if you have it in D or S and put your foot down to the floor (without pressing the kickdown button) it will still downshift if it thinks you dont have enough power
which again is equliy as handy as actualy kicking it down (as it does the same thing)
forthly i find i have to physicly make an effort in pressing the kickdown because in the my FR you press your foot down to the floor, the peadle stops, as if it hit somthing, and you have to really push down to hit the kickdown button unless your driving like clarkson shouting POWER! and just jumping on the peadle!