UK & Ireland S2000 Community Discussions related to the S2000, its ownership and enthusiasm for it in the UK and Ireland. Including FAQs, and technical questions.

Sunday Times' Driving section

Thread Tools
 
Old 01-08-2006, 02:54 AM
  #1  

Thread Starter
 
Paper Lawyer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: West Midlands
Posts: 14,318
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default Sunday Times' Driving section

I've just read one of the main articles in the Driving section of today's Sunday Times.

http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/article/0...1973418,00.html

Three drivers have been put in an old BMW to see how they can manage without ABS and other drivers' aids.

Predictably the Scooby driver was shown up badly

What got my goat though was one of the drivers, Eleanor Ball (describes her driving ability as 8/10), owns an 05 S2000. In the Steering section of the article the S2000 is described as having a "torque-limiting limited slip differential (LSD), which will automatically reduce torque if it sense the car is about to skid".

Clearly the writers have no understanding of the use of the LSD if they think it somes sort of advance sensing traction control system!

My understanding of the LSD is that it allows the rear wheels to rotate at different speeds, allowing more effective cornering without the inside rear wheel locking up.

I'm minded to write in to ensure that the S2000 is not labelled a namby pamby drivers' aid-ridden car

Wampa will be pleased with the protection afforded by the LSD though
Old 01-08-2006, 02:59 AM
  #2  
LTB
Registered User

 
LTB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: South Coast
Posts: 11,748
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Sounds like a load of old bollox to me too.
Old 01-08-2006, 03:22 AM
  #3  
Registered User

 
RUSS H's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Peshawar
Posts: 4,306
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I have a hard time at work justifying the type of car I choose to drive.

Younger lads look at me, not having a clue what im trying to explain to
them about modern cars being numb and doing the driving for you.

"Cant understand why you got rid of the TT" they say!

"Drive my Elise or Honda and maybe you will understand" I reply.
Probably best that they dont!!
Old 01-08-2006, 03:33 AM
  #4  
LTB
Registered User

 
LTB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: South Coast
Posts: 11,748
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I had a similar conversation with a bloke on a course I did recently who had a Subaru.
I was explaining to him that the S2000 didn't have any driver aids unlike the scooby, making it a more rewarding drive if maybe a little slower.

He gave me a most perplexed look. Maybe he just thought that he was a driving god.

Old 01-08-2006, 03:33 AM
  #5  
Registered User
 
Asterix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dubai, UAE
Posts: 1,685
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I have to say that I thought the LSD did the opposite. Rather than allow the wheels to turn at a different speed, it made sure that the inside unweighted wheel didn't spin and bleed off the power by transfering the power to the wheel with the greater grip.

It doesn't allow the power to go to the easiest outlet.

Sort of...
Old 01-08-2006, 03:37 AM
  #6  
Registered User
 
Asterix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dubai, UAE
Posts: 1,685
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Just read the article - an LSD does nothing of the sort! How can a mechanical device 'sense' that the car is going to skid - utter bollocks!
Old 01-08-2006, 03:38 AM
  #7  
LTB
Registered User

 
LTB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: South Coast
Posts: 11,748
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

How an LSD works
Old 01-08-2006, 03:40 AM
  #8  
Registered User
 
Asterix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dubai, UAE
Posts: 1,685
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I was right - phew!
Old 01-08-2006, 03:47 AM
  #9  
MB
Member

 
MB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Sunshine Coast - England UK
Posts: 33,842
Received 22 Likes on 20 Posts
Default

Pre 00 scoobs had no driving aids... Very raw, and quite rewarding I found. People whinge that they are too easy to drive, well I disagree. To drive one on the limit is pretty rewarding. I think most can drive them fast, but to drive one v fast on a windy road is another step.

I used to get out of mine shaking sometimes, because the speeds you were doing were simply mind blowing. I dont get this in the S but it rewards in other ways...

MB
Old 01-08-2006, 03:48 AM
  #10  
Banned
 
gaddafi's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Survivalist enclave
Posts: 31,790
Received 69 Likes on 61 Posts
Default

LSDs are quite old technology

As is 4wd for that matter

But don't get carried away with the idea of the S2000 as on the edge racer

The steering alone lacks the feel to go with that description



Quick Reply: Sunday Times' Driving section



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:50 AM.