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Weight in the trunk doesn't work.
The only discernible effect was, as I expected, a slight increase in polar moment towards the rear axle (I placed the sand at the back of the trunk (against the seatback) to minimize this. That way the weight is over the axle and not lifting the front axle at all.
The car was slightly trickier to reign in when stepping out.
The effect on forward traction was precisely zero.
This is unsurprising since the factory weight distribution with driver has to be close to 50/50 (unladen is 53/47 f/r, but you can't drive an empty car.)
The "problem" is the Torsen diff is too tight. The snow tires I have on are fine as the braking and steering is normal (Sottozeros in 225/45x17 size). Also, the stability of the car once it starts to slide is exemplary. Catching the rear axle is child's play if you are experienced at winter driving. Judging how much throttle to use to sustain or end the slide is very easy. The electric power steering is superb. You can twirl the wheel as rapidly, slowly and precisely as you need to.
The only real trouble with this car on snow is lack of straight line grip. That just had to be the Torsen. Nothing else could affect only the straight line grip.
Just by the by anyone with an automatic and TC fully off tried winter mode? Do you get good traction then because that starts the car off in second gear, softens the shift speed and I think slows down the throttle response.
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