Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohio Enthusiast
Going on a bit of a tangent, but most mid-engine sport cars lack an LSD entirely, or only offered as an option in the "race-trims". The cited reason is that MR have enough weight on the rear wheels to make traction not an issue and that an LSD in an MR platform causes understeer on track (negating the benefits of an LSD for overall lap times). Lotus presumably only ever offered an LSD in the Elise after US autocross drivers complained about it (something that Lotus did concede made sense for autocross speeds and tightness of turns, but still stuck to their claim that for track work an LSD is detrimental).
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Porsche has claimed the same reasons for not offering LSDs on their cars. now that LSDs became active torque vectoring on expensive cars they're all over it though.
It depends on driving style really, if you prefer tail out antics that are facilitated by front engine, RWD, and longer wheelbases (BMW, Nissan S chassis, Gt86/GR86) then an LSD is absolutely beneficial. If you prefer more precision driving that is better suited to a short wheelbase mid/rear engined car (Porsche, Lotus, Alpine), then you don't really need it. Those cars don't really want to drive with the tail out, they always feel like they actively discourage it.