Toyota/Subaru/Scion Lightweight Sports Car: Toyota GT86, Subaru BRZ, Scion FRS!
08-26-11 | 07:37 PM
#1246
Lexus Champion
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,544
Likes: 6
From: South Florida
I'm not confused, its just, why make a RWD sports car that will handle amazing but it will have like 200hp? I know it probably wont weigh much and hp isn't every thing but we don't need another RX8. Toyota needs to stop being conservative and build another proper sports car.
08-31-11 | 09:15 AM
#1247
Pole Position
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
From: NY
Awesome Interview With Tetsuya Tada chief engineer
Awesome interview with Toyobaru (Subaru BRZ, Toyota FT-86, Scion FR-S) chief engineer:
Full interview:
http://www.ft86club.com/?p=611
Quotes to drool after... please please let these come true.
Full interview:
http://www.ft86club.com/?p=611
Quotes to drool after... please please let these come true.
As for low to the ground, Tada promises a “production car with the world’s lowest center of gravity.”
“From the beginning, the concept was to put the driver back in the driver’s seat, and to eliminate computers as much as possible today. Powerful sports cars use a lot of computer technology so that anyone can drive and handle them. We decided not to go down that road."
The FT-86 has about half of the computing power that is dragged around in a modern day car. The preferred shifter is a stick. An automatic is optional.
Computers want to keep you on the straight and narrow, but some FT-86 owners want that car to go sideways. If you need nannies, go down to the children’s hospital.
08-31-11 | 02:42 PM
#1249
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 19,951
Likes: 171
I'm not confused, its just, why make a RWD sports car that will handle amazing but it will have like 200hp? I know it probably wont weigh much and hp isn't every thing but we don't need another RX8. Toyota needs to stop being conservative and build another proper sports car.
08-31-11 | 03:54 PM
#1254
I'm not confused, its just, why make a RWD sports car that will handle amazing but it will have like 200hp? I know it probably wont weigh much and hp isn't every thing but we don't need another RX8. Toyota needs to stop being conservative and build another proper sports car.
sure big hp is nice, but to keep costs low and handling great and performance better it's better to shed weight. if you've not driven a really light car, you should some time. even without tons of power it will have you grinning from ear to ear.
+1
09-01-11 | 08:54 AM
#1257
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 91,624
Likes: 89
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
I agree, Paul, as far as handling and stering-response goes, but in general, light weight, all elese equal, also means a stiffer ride. I don't like stiff, noisy rides. A Miata or S2000 is a lot of fun for relatively short distances on winding roads, but would drive me batty on a long trip.
09-01-11 | 08:56 AM
#1258
Lexus Champion
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,544
Likes: 6
From: South Florida
uh, honda s2000 isn't a 'proper' sports car? and miatas win tons of auto cross and other races.
sure big hp is nice, but to keep costs low and handling great and performance better it's better to shed weight. if you've not driven a really light car, you should some time. even without tons of power it will have you grinning from ear to ear.
sure big hp is nice, but to keep costs low and handling great and performance better it's better to shed weight. if you've not driven a really light car, you should some time. even without tons of power it will have you grinning from ear to ear.
09-01-11 | 05:01 PM
#1260
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 320
Likes: 4
From: CA
ON the topic of LSD. This is something that is quite pricey and the types of Limited Slip differentials needed (and not needed) varies greatly by users that do require them. It could be an option as it is quite exensive part of the drivetrain.
A competition track user will require something a bit tougher than a 2 pinion or standard viscous unit. Traditional clutch pack 2 and 4 pinions will require high maintenance and custom settings for most serious users. A Torsen (tm) unit may be on the expensive side for a car to be very strictly focused on getting the price line low. We'll see how the packaging comes on the new car... It will almost be a necessity for most drivers who enter any form of motorsports, but for those that never need one, it will become another expensive part that a person will never see an advantage.
For serious racing though, an OEM unit usually suffers from lack of needed initial torque and final lock strength, and we usually always end up opting for a 4 pinion aftermarket systems, custom tuned to necessary settings.
A competition track user will require something a bit tougher than a 2 pinion or standard viscous unit. Traditional clutch pack 2 and 4 pinions will require high maintenance and custom settings for most serious users. A Torsen (tm) unit may be on the expensive side for a car to be very strictly focused on getting the price line low. We'll see how the packaging comes on the new car... It will almost be a necessity for most drivers who enter any form of motorsports, but for those that never need one, it will become another expensive part that a person will never see an advantage.
For serious racing though, an OEM unit usually suffers from lack of needed initial torque and final lock strength, and we usually always end up opting for a 4 pinion aftermarket systems, custom tuned to necessary settings.