As you know, we got a chance to take the VGS around a small autocross course. It was basically a 180, a 180, a chicane, a 180, a small straight (enough for a bit of 2nd) and a decreasing radius back to start/finish. It was raining, and it was my first time driving a RHD.

I could definitely feel the system working, but it was never intrusive. I never felt that the car was doing anything than what I wanted it to do. Dialing in too much steering angle was never a problem. I was taking it fairly easy, not wanting to spin out in the wet and wreck the car or scatter the cones all over the place. I never experienced any understeer, like when I go into a tight autox corner too hot, and all the oversteer was throttle induced, easily corrected by steering into it. For the 180s, I still had to crank the wheel over enough that I was pretty much at the limit of being able to keep at least one hand in the 9-and-3 position.

Regarding other comments about suspension and LSD... I'm left scratching my head on those. The car felt fine for me. The slick rain made it difficult to tell any difference in suspension settings - there was never enough grip to really load things up. Still, must have been some new S0-2s (I didn't check) because I wasn't sliding around nearly as much as I was afraid of. The car felt especially neutral - like I said, all oversteer was throttle induced coming out of the corners.

 

Excuse my ignorance but what is a Type V?

 

S2000 Type V - Equipped with VGS system.
http://www.honda.co.jp/S2000/tech/typev.html

 

I wish that site still worked, I'd be very curious in reading about this... Honda always seemed to come up with "interesting" gadgets... 4WS, ATTS, etc...

Surely they'd go all out for their roadster..? If anyone has any info, email me... PhoenixINX@Home.com

Thanks!

 

UPDATED LINKS.

As this is probably the best thread on the typeV, i chose it to post these updates:

- the English intro to typeV is still available here:
http://world.honda.com/news/2000/4000707.html

- the Japanese detailed technical info (total 8 pages) moved to:
http://www.honda.co.jp/factbook/auto/s2000/200007/

I'd be interested to read more feedback about driving the typeV, as i am about to buy one "blindly".

 

I have one... but I don't really know how it compares with a normal S2K... I have only driven a normal one for around 10 mins LOL

The steering wheel looks good, but the ratio in my opinion is a bit too tight (1.4) ... Daily driving in the city + freeway driving needs more concentration. A bit of steering works will turn the car (not too good on the freeway)...

The car seems to have some oversteer on the limit (not power oversteer)...
The car has a set of bilstein suspension, 215 F, 235 R with light weight tyres.
Compared to my previous car, a DC2 Type R, which has a very minimal understeer at the limit, the S2K is a lot harder to drive, but it's FUN...

However I think that the DC2R, even with it's 2.7 (I think) steering ratio, feels RAWer, and feels more go-karty... I really know how to explain it, but when on a corner at high speed, there is a slight moment that you feel the car is sliding outside the line (I don't think it's an understeer).

Sorry guys I don't really know how to explain it LOL... but it's very minimal anyway... maybe you won't even feel it, but because I came from a DC2R, which feels so direct and raw.

 

I wonder if this variable steering thing will be a passing fancy, like the 4 wheel steering Honda had on the Prelude.

 

Although it's been available for four years, you don't hear much about. Best Motoring's Akihiko Nakaya did a comparison test, S2000 vs S2000 V Type, and concluded the stock S2000 was the Winner.

 

Have you noticed that GM is now touting "quadrasteer" on its trucks?

BTW, I had a 4WS Prelude, and that thing changed lanes like nobody's business. But, yes, the mechanical 4WS systems were a passing fad.

 

[QUOTE=dlq04,Nov 15 2004, 04:22 AM]Although it's been available for four years, you don't hear much about.