How is torque steering on CL-S 6 speed manual? Is it noticeable during hard cornering?

July 2002 issue of Car and Driver did a comparison between Acura CL-S 6 speed and Bimmer 330ci. The scores were pretty much identical. but it seems impossible to me since CL-S is a FWD and 330ci is a RWD. Is C&D being bias? I am meaning Acura does build really high quality car and CL-S 6 speed does have torque-sensitive helical limited-slip differential, but does the torque-sensitive helical limited-slip differential really enhance the handling of this FWD that much?

CL-S 6 speed owners please help me out here... Do you really think your CL-S 6 speed's handling is comparable to BMW 330ci?

 

runner x did you read my response to your drag coefficient question in the other thread?

 

330ci yes it's close, 330ci with sport option NO.

They compared the sport edition of the CL to the non sport edition of the 330.

I believe if your an enthusiast, you won't like having a FWD car anyway... Granted the price makes it a bit more attempting. It might drive you crazy in the long run.

 

The LSD system in the 6-Speed does a pretty respectable job controlling Torque Steer, but it can still be induced if you really turn up the wick.
It’s MUCH more controllable then the Slush-Box CL-S, even with VSA engaged.

Shawn S

 

how would you rate CL-S 6 speed's handling? 1 - 5 (5 being the best)..

 

Go drive a 3 series /w sport option. Then go drive a CLS-6. There's a pretty big difference if your a crazy handling enthusiast who drives well. The question is one you have to ask yourself... Is it $15k better. And do I drive my cars to the extreme ever.

If high-end handling performance is key to your purchase the CLS might not be what your looking for.

The BMW is near 50(front)/50(rear) weight distribution. Getting the CLS which is 62 (front)/38(rear) to handle the same will take a lot of work ($$$) and tuning.

I know what Shawn is going to say

And for a FWD car it deserves a 5.

 

This may seem stupid, but what is torque steer and what's it feel like?

 

Torque steer in usually from power reaching one wheel before it does the other in a front wheel drive car. Torque streer is mainly caused from the different size drive shafts (half-shafts ) comming from the transmission to the wheels. Since most FWD cars have transverse (sideways) mounted engines. The transmission always ends up on either the left or right side of the vehicle. So the wheel that is closer to the transmission will get power before the other wheel. Thus causing the steering wheel to either pull left or right (depening on the specific cars setup). Hence torque steer. There is also other factors controlling torque steer, but the unequal length drive shafts are the main reason.

I'm sure a quick google seach for "torque steer" will bring up a few articles.

An easy way to feel torque steer on a FWD car, is when you floor the vehicle you will feel the steering wheel pull either to the left or to the right. You will actually be fighting the car to keep the front wheels going straight. Torque steer only exists in FWD cars.

Or... if you have some open road, try flooring the vehicle without holding on the the steering wheel. See which direction it goes. (lol, be ready to grab the wheel)

 

Thanks for the description....in that case, I feel it quite a bit when I jump at the light....

 

I've never driven a Bimmer before, but I know the 6 speed is way better for cornering than the auto. The HLSD is amazing! When you turn the wheels and hammer on it, the HLSD will actually pull the front end in the direction of the turn (power on oversteer). Normally in the auto (or the manual of you don't hit the gas), the front will try to pull the other way (understeer).

It's a really nice feature on a car that has a heavy front weight distribution. Adds way more control.