Re: V8 Handling/brakes

[Eliot Lim <eliot@u.washington.edu>]

> I hate to say it, but I don't know that I agree: I can't see any advantages
>to having a big weight hanging forward of the front axle, while having a big
>weight mounted to the rear of the rear axle definitely has advantages, 

mounting the engine over the front wheels is certainly not helpful for
sharp turn in responses, but it leads to great high speed stability
(important for a powerful german bruiser) and better space efficiency.

in audi's case i think it was also done a long time ago when transverse
layouts were not too common, so mounting the engine way up front allowed
the transmission to be directly behind.  i think pakaging had a lot to
do with it and in those days audi was certainly not a player in the
ultra high performance arena.

if it wasn't for this layout, we might never have seen the quattro!

>in that
>acceleration out of turns is dramaticly improved.  The only thing which makes
>the forward weight situation workable, IMHO, is awd; in contrast, awd only helps
>the rear weight situation marginally (and requires re-learning lots about chasis
> setup -- you no longer want your front inside wheels flapping in the breeze!).

i think you make valid points.  we are not necessarily in disagreement
though.  i was talking more in terms of how the nose or tail heaviness
punishes if you get it wrong.

but i see what you are saying: the v8q needs lots of weight transfer
to corner well; that means very slow in fast out and no real
variations.. the 911 would squat and dig in.  in a difference sense it
also needs to be driven well to give its best.. if not, you would go
into the curve backwards!  :)

cars that are conceptually flawed are not necessarily bad.  you would
need to make up for that flaw with driving skill and human sensitivity
to machinery, which would make it much more satisfying (though more
demanding) experience than driving a perfect idiot proof <nationality
will not be named!> car.

have you driven a C4?  i am curious to know what it's like...  i hear
that the purists don't like it much.


eliot