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I absolutely agree with that. But even if the suspensions were identical on both cars, a mid-engined car tends to spin far more suddenly once it loses traction (just the nature of low polar moment of inertia - having its weight concentrated within the wheelbase). However, it's also what makes a mid-engined car more nimble and eager to change direction at 9/10ths.
Remember the figure skater who spins far faster when she brings her outstretched arms into her chest (concentrating the mass near the axis of rotation)…
Uh, I think you have this backwards. Once a rear engine car breaks traction, it will be harder to regain control because of the large mass hanging off the end of the car. Think pendulum. The mid-engine car will be more forgiving compared to the rear engine design. Polar movement is kind of the energy needed to effect a change. With he mid engine and the majority of the mass in the middle of the chassis, it will require less energy (or put up less of a fight) when changing direction.
I know a lot of people on this forum seem to believe that the rear engine design is superior but it simply is not from a physics standpoint. Porsche has come a verrrryyyyyy long way in perfecting the rear engine layout and including so much mechanical and electronic aid to make the rear engine design work and helping others believe it's a superior layout compared to front engine or mid engine.
I know what Grant means to say,... A rear engine car will break away more gradually than mid engine car all things being equal. The pendulum affect of the rear engine car will give you more warning, may be considered a friendlier and easier to drive setup?. The mid-engine car will break away at a higher speed, and it should happen more suddenly, which I guess you could term to be an unfriendly characteristic. This is all things being equal of course... From a pure performance Perspective the mid engine car is always going to be superior with it's almost perfect weight distribution and mass centralization.
This is all much more evident and relevant in an older car, with skinny tires, softer suspension, and no nannies. When you get into the real world of modern cars We are sticky tires, rear wheel steering, different types of exotic suspension set ups, different size tires most of all... You really can ask so much of his core weight distribution characteristics., the limits of these cars are too high for most people to achieve anyway, the modern rear engine 911 might be more enjoyable in that it gives you more interesting feedback... But we are well into the subjective zone at this point.
A mid-engine car is always going to be a better performer... All things being equal
Ok...so for a good driver going for +90% (9/10th up) the rear engine car will be faster if he knows how to exploit the benefits of that platform...otherwise the mid-engine is faster. Also this could be track/environment dependent.
I like both platforms, they have pros and cons......but if the 992 GT3 is a "small" stretch of $$$$$, I'll take it over the 4RS any day.
We also have to keep something in mind...lots of these "4RSs" will be purchased or considered by people that will never take them to the track......they will only look at numbers and features on paper....GT4RS loses again vs GT3, even with a 991.2.
Uh, I think you have this backwards. Once a rear engine car breaks traction, it will be harder to regain control because of the large mass hanging off the end of the car. Think pendulum. The mid-engine car will be more forgiving compared to the rear engine design. Polar movement is kind of the energy needed to effect a change. With he mid engine and the majority of the mass in the middle of the chassis, it will require less energy (or put up less of a fight) when changing direction.
Nope, I don't have it backwards. Maybe we are talking about two different metrics.
1. Yes, a rear-engined car requires more energy to correct a spin.
2. However, a rear-engined car initiates a spin more slowly. There is a wider more forgiving window in which to adjust the car near the limit.
3. A Mid-engined car is much more like driving on a razor's edge at the limit. The window is very narrow in time in which to make a correction to save a spin. Yes, if you have cat-like reflexes and have very sharp perception of when the car is about to let go, you may need less steering lock to correct an impending spin. But I've seen many people who miss the window and only apply corrective measures once it's too late and the car has irretrievably gone around.
Not sure if I would prefer the handling of the 992 GT3 that is virtually unobtanium over the GT4RS which will also likely be unobtanium. Guess that makes them perfect for bench racing against each other....
Well I just have to say that these guys were ripping around the track. Fun to watch. They looked more on the limit than most other videos. Makes me want to get back out at the track with my regular GT4.
09-08-2021, 06:24 PM
