Quote:
Originally Posted by Enemies
Interesting. Does that mean because of the springs, that the BRZ handles more like the GT86 than the FR-S does?
|
Given the F/R spring rate differences from that table (shown below):
OEM Toyota 86 3.0k / 3.3k
OEM Scion FR-S M/T 2.3k / 3.8k
OEM Subaru BRZ M/T 2.7k / 3.5k
And assuming no other significant differences in suspension setup (shock rates, sway bars), then
Level of oversteer: FR-S > BRZ > 86.
BRZ is a little closer in setup to the 86 than to the FR-S (.4 spring rate difference F and R vs FR-S; .3 difference F and R vs 86) so should handle a bit more like the 86.
That's a
big difference in rates between the FR-S and the GT86 - going from a .3 difference front to rear to a 1.2 difference, a value
four times higher - so the takeaway is that UK and Euro reviews of the 86's handling have very little relevance for the NA market.
What is not made explicit is whether the Euro and UK versions of the 86 have different spring rates from the JDM 86, although WoW's table lacks separate entries for these versions which suggests they don't. And we are still missing the shock rate piece; differences across the three models in that parameter could shift the understeer/oversteer balance somewhat.