I must say I don't know the answer to this perennial question - and I wish I did, because it has bugged me for ages too.
One of the functions of VDC/ESC/ESP (
or whatever you want to call it) is to send signals to the ECU that tell it to reduce torque when it thinks the car is accelerating in an unacceptable manner. However, I have no idea what the criteria are, or when the system actually cuts in.
However, I suppose it's a fairly academic question, because every time I get in the car I start the engine, put the seatbelt on and switch the ESP* off!
Here's an interesting website -
Robert Bosch GmbH - ESC
However, I'd still like to know because I too feel it may interfere with the car's performance - and I too wonder if I'm making it up!
*It's called ESP (Electronic Stability Program) in the UK, but it's the same as VDC.