Re: a new look at torsens

[quk@isham-research.demon.co.uk (Phil Payne)]

In message <199910191405.KAA24560@audifans.com> Mike Mulholland writes:

> what i learned from the torsen thread is that scott j and jeff are track
> racers and they use cornering manoeuvers learned in driving schools and from
> track experience, to gain an advantage over the opposition in order to
> win...is this learned driving behaviour applicable to a torsen equipped 4wd
> vehicle?
>         dave and phil and pantelis drive their torsen equipped cars hard
> primarily on highways and bi ways. i would bet that they don't use the same
> _track learned_ driving techniques on the roads they drive because they are
> doing it for sheer exhileration and joy and not to earn a competitive
> advantage.

The Torsen was designed to enhance the performance and safety of a
consumer design - cars that primarily tend to understeer at the limit,
in which case a tyro driver's BRAKES response is less dangerous.

Race drivers have different skill sets, and are generally much better
adapted/trained to deal with oversteer at the limit.  Most, I suspect,
prefer it.  I don't think the Torsen is either good or bad in a race
vehicle - I think it's more likely to be irrelevant.  And, given the
parts count, dispensible.

--
 Phil Payne
 UK Audi quattro Owners Club
 Phone: 07785 302803   Fax: 0870 0883933