2008 Ralliart Evolution X

[Crufty Dusty]

Re: 2008 Ralliart Evolution X

I think it's well established that, all things being equal, a DSG will beat a manual at any time due to the continuous torque feed to the wheels.

The only ambiguity is whether in a low speed drag test to 60, will a DSG be able to beat a torque converter automatic which stores energy in the TC supposedly.

But yes, it'd be interesting to confirm this.

OK pardon me for asking, but what good is a torque converter for storing energy if it's not sent directly to the wheels, which is what a DSG-style gearbox does?

 

[Crufty Dusty]

Re: 2008 Ralliart Evolution X

IIRC Sam Mitani is not a bad driver, he competes for R&T to quite good victories leh ...

Then the new Evo X is SHIT! The Mitsu lives and dies by the SAYC, and if the EvoX only beats it 2 seconds in sub-2m track, then it is shit on the track.

I'm sorry, but judging from what he says, he doesn't seem to have a lot of track experience! Now I'm no track god, but I can tell you that every single time I drive on the "edge" and feel that the car is "livelier", I inevitably turn in slower lap times! Cliched as it may sound, smoothness is absolutely essential.

And 2 seconds over a sub-2 minute track is huge. You ask any SIC regulars what they would need to do to take off 2 seconds off their lap time and see their response.

 

[Crufty Dusty]

Re: 2008 Ralliart Evolution X

The Evo has never been a straight-line, drag car. There are cheaper and faster ways to go fast in a straight line, so the new car having a slighty slower time to 60 or quarter-mile, is not a big deal in my opinion. That's what ECU tuning and power upgrades are for; easily understood, easily done and relatively cheap.

The secret has always been in the chassis. Chassis engineering and vehicle dynamics are not very well understood, and expensive to improve upon.

I believe Mitsu did the right thing. Let the aftermarket concentrate on making power, so long as the engine is reliable, you can always achieve X horsepower with Y amount of money. On the other hand if the handling is wrong, it may be an terminal illness with which no amount of money can fix. And on top of that you get a crappy handling car, which means it loses its fun factor.