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Little interview with Subaru's product planning chief. Why RWD for BRZ

This is a little juicy tidbit of info in this short interview:

Source: Motor Authority article

Quote:

Subaru’s product planning chief and head developer of the BRZ, Toshio Masuda, has revealed to us that the joint-developed sports car was originally conceived by Subaru and that there were several reasons why his design team didn’t want it to be all-wheel drive.

Toyota’s intentions notwithstanding, Masuda explained that Subaru wanted to showcase its road-holding and traction expertise in a rear-wheel drive application.

Subaru already sells front-wheel drive cars in markets outside the U.S., so launching a new rear-wheel drive model was the final frontier, so to speak, where the automaker could implement its latest engineering knowhow.

Masuda also pointed out that some of Subaru’s all-wheel drive models have been tested during development with up to 90 percent of their torque being sent to the rear wheels, virtually mimicking the dynamics of a rear-wheel drive car.

And the results of this knowhow speaks for itself. Prototypes of the BRZ have been tested at speeds above 50 mph in heavy snow--something normally unthinkable in a lightweight rear-wheel drive sports car.

Key to its prowess will be its very low center of the gravity of around 17.8 inches, one of the lowest of any car currently on the market.

Look out for the respective debuts of both the Subaru BRZ and its Scion FR-S sibling at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show this December. First sales are scheduled to start in the first half of next year.

Summary:
*Subaru wants to polish its powertrain laurels by proving its mettle with an FR application
*The BRZ prototypes have shown excellent snow tractability
*CoG quoted at 17.8"

:happyanim:

What is the center of gravity of other cars? 458 Italia, 911 GT3, MP4-12C, Evora?

I seriously doubt any of that is published. We'd likely have to buy them all and tip them on their side and measure it ourselves. Furthermore, if it's anywhere near those caliber of cars it would be an honor to be in such company.

http://robrobinette.com/cg_height_calc.htm

I used 2,500 for the total weight with a perfect 50/50 split (625 lbs. per tire), 632 lbs. for the L&R front raised weight, 101" wheelbase, 12.039" axle height and 22.039" raised axle height and got 17.72" Cog.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MannyO (Post 60727)

Correct me if I'm wrong but further down in that calculator it has a CoG height of 26". Is that for the S2000? If so 8" to 9" lower for the BRZ is going to be awesome.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForReal-Someday (Post 60761)

Correct me if I'm wrong but further down in that calculator it has a CoG height of 26". Is that for the S2000? If so 8" to 9" lower for the BRZ is going to be awesome.

Yeah I saw that also. The boxer (and its position) really make a big difference :thumbup:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryephile (Post 60718)

This is a little juicy tidbit of info in this short interview:

Source: Motor Authority article

Summary:
*Subaru wants to polish its powertrain laurels by proving its mettle with an FR application
*The BRZ prototypes have shown excellent snow tractability
*CoG quoted at 17.8"

:happyanim:

I haven't heard this before! Good tidbits.

Driving anything at 50MPH on the snow is insane :eyebulge:. But I would be quite pleased if it was well mannered on a snow covered road :).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Levi (Post 60723)

What is the center of gravity of other cars? 458 Italia, 911 GT3, MP4-12C, Evora?

I would bet since those cars all have taller engines that the FR-S/BRZ might compare favorably in the CoG test. That's the most I can and would hope for though. :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by MannyO (Post 60727)

Very nice. But I :iono: how accurate that can be. There are plenty of ways to put more ballast down low.

Where are you getting those raised weights? Add 3 pounds to the raised weight and you're CoG is now 20". Like Allch said, how accurate are those numbers?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Levi (Post 60723)

What is the center of gravity of other cars? 458 Italia, 911 GT3, MP4-12C, Evora?

As I posted in the other thread, 911 GT3 is said to have been tested by Car and Driver to have CoG 17.4" high, so better than this car. Makes sense, it has a similarly low mounted flat engine but is bigger/heavier.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allch Chcar (Post 60786)

Very nice. But I :iono: how accurate that can be. There are plenty of ways to put more ballast down low.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 82mm 4g63 (Post 60793)

Where are you getting those raised weights? Add 3 pounds to the raised weight and you're CoG is now 20". Like Allch said, how accurate are those numbers?

It's probably not very accurate. I was using guesstimates for the weights. And the 50/50 weight distribution is not very likely to happen...from the factory at least.:iono:

Quote:

Originally Posted by MannyO (Post 60805)

It's probably not very accurate. I was using guesstimates for the weights. And the 50/50 weight distribution is not very likely to happen...from the factory at least.:iono:

We were already promised 51:49 distribution for better drifting anyway. :burnrubber:

LFA CoG is 17 3/4" so it's likely to be lower than that if they are claiming "lowest cog ever"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allch Chcar (Post 60786)

Driving anything at 50MPH on the snow is insane :eyebulge:. But I would be quite pleased if it was well mannered on a snow covered road :).

Growing up in Wyoming they didn't used to salt the highways. Snow from November to May, regularly drive 65mph+ on snow. Packed or fresh. Slushy is worse in a lightweight 83 Civic (in the late 1990s LOL).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allch Chcar (Post 60786)

Driving anything at 50MPH on the snow is insane

Gone way faster than that in an old 86 and my new Accent in deep snow on the highway. You southerners really need to live a little. Driving in the snow is way more fun; keeps you on your toes, that's for sure.