Quote:
Originally Posted by Homemade WRX
I do however think that if you can increase the power without trade off, then why not?
Sorry that as a mechanical engineer (motorsports background...actually minor) I don't buy into the ying-yang 'soul' of the chassis matches aspiration thing.
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I'm an ME also, so I know exactly where you're coming from. However, saying you don't "buy into" the soul of the car is keeping the ME blinders on and not paying attention to what actually matters; the drivers' perception. Numbers, statistics, and logic are all for not if the driver is dissatisfied with the emotional connection they feel behind the wheel.
The emotional connection with the engine is through three main pieces:
*the ECU mapping of the accelerator pedal to the load/RPM table
*the sound the engine makes
*the acceleration perceived
If the pedal is mapped negatively exponential [i.e. R56 MINI], the engine will feel lazy and gutless. If the pedal is mapped positively exponential [most Chrysler V6's], the engine will feel digital, jumpy, and completely indifferent to aggressive pedal angle. Linear pedal mapping gives [surprise!] a linear feel and confident control.
If the engine sound is too quiet, it will "seem" slow. Conversely, a loud engine will be perceived quicker or simply trying too hard. If there is a mis-proportion between sound and thrust [i.e. a fart can on a stock D17 Civic, or a Bugatti Veyron] the car will seem like it's broken, or you're not in control [silent rocketship superlatives w/Veyron]. Next, the tone or music the engine creates makes a big impact on the perception. A thrashy engine [Most 80's era GM 4-bangers] sounds broken, trying too hard, and generally undesirable. A smooth engine [i.e. GM's LS series, BMW M50 inline-6, old Jaguar V12's] sounds refined, relaxed, unstressed, and elegant.
Regarding acceleration force, this is very dependent on individual experience. Some of us are Top Fuel drivers and some of us have never driven a car with a Lbs-per-HP ratio better than 20:1 [can barely get out of its own way]. As such, someone that's only driven an NA Miata will be thrilled at the thrust the 14:1 HP/Lb ratio the FR-S offers. Others accustomed to daily driving their 1,000HP Supra will be frustrated at the virtual lack of acceleration. It's all relative.
In the end, when you combine all three major elements of the engine/driver interaction, you get one piece of the cars' soul; how it reacts to the drivers' input and gives sensory feedback [acoustic and g-force].
Regards.
