[switchlanez]

Originally Posted by skeeler

I'm not worried about the power and torque. 197 BHP and 151 lb-ft should be plenty, depending on gearing. The high rev limit should be a boon to autocrossing, again, depending on gearing.

Speaking of autocross, I'm more concerned with handling than power. The weight is lower than any other 4-seat RWD car that I know of, which is the main reason I'm considering this for my family car. The low center of mass is very exciting.

The only concern I have with the car is the front McPherson struts. All my Miatas have had double wishbones up front, and those cars would give over 2 degrees of negative camber without camber links, camber plates, or any other nonsense. Plus, they give camber gain under compression. I know that some strut-equipped cars, BMWs in particular, are camber-challenged; they have limited static camber and poor camber curves. Stuts often give camber loss, rather than camber gain, as the suspension compresses. The drivers I know who autocross Bimmers in Stock classes or in Street Touring classes frequently complain about not being able to get enough camber.

Fortunately, I don't seem to hear this complaint as much from the folks racing WRXs and STIs, though the grip offered by AWD may be mitigating the problem in their cases. So, can anyone comment on how much negative camber one can achieve in the front of other Subarus? Also, what are the camber curves like? Do you see much camber loss? How about with aftermarket dampers and springs that lower the car dramatically?

I deduce that a MacPherson setup takes up more vertical space and double-wishbone takes up more lateral space. MacPhersons free up space below the engine so it can sit lower for a lower CoG (handling gain); that probably can't be designed with double-wishbones.