Handling Characteristics
Discussion
Hello All.
During my almost daily commute running nearly the full length of the A3 the other morning, in my Elise, I initially doubted the choice of vehicle. The rain was really coming down, it was dark and cold.
However, detouring around Hindhead around some country roads - I forget how much fun (and how fast) the 111S is! This is what owning an Elise is about!
During my trip I not only saw an old 911E, Caterham, TVR S1 and two Aston Martins Oh and three Elises - fantastic - who said these type of cars are for sunny days only.......
Anyway, starting to feel more confident with Elise and pushing harder into corners. It essentially understeers. Oversteer can be provoked - but I was surprised by it's natural characteristc of understeering so readily. I have Pirelli's on the front and LSS and anti roll bar. Is this everybody elses experience?
Cheers
Paul
During my almost daily commute running nearly the full length of the A3 the other morning, in my Elise, I initially doubted the choice of vehicle. The rain was really coming down, it was dark and cold.
However, detouring around Hindhead around some country roads - I forget how much fun (and how fast) the 111S is! This is what owning an Elise is about!
During my trip I not only saw an old 911E, Caterham, TVR S1 and two Aston Martins Oh and three Elises - fantastic - who said these type of cars are for sunny days only.......
Anyway, starting to feel more confident with Elise and pushing harder into corners. It essentially understeers. Oversteer can be provoked - but I was surprised by it's natural characteristc of understeering so readily. I have Pirelli's on the front and LSS and anti roll bar. Is this everybody elses experience?
Cheers
Paul
Bonce said:
Hello, it's great when a routine drive turns into something exciting and memorable isn't it!
And I meant in a nice way, not like this: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=63453&f=23&h=0
May I take this opportunity to recommend fitting Yokohama Advan Neova LTS tyres all round? It will make your driving experience much more enjoyable.
pjevo - back to your original question re understeer. Yes, that's what I find as well. I haven't had any frights with oversteer on the road.
Having had some airfield training I did find out I was using the throttle too early and that will contribute to understeer as it will push the car wider.
Having had some airfield training I did find out I was using the throttle too early and that will contribute to understeer as it will push the car wider.
I've owned powerful rear and front wheel drive cars so I do find the fact that the Elise understeers with ease, surprising. Unpon reflection of that comment, it makes sense - it is the safest handling characterisitc and was probably 'engineered' into the chassis set-up.
Interesting point though is that my Elise carries much more speed into corner than say my supercharged golf (which also understeers). However, it doesn't feel like it is until you notice the speedo reads more mph! Maybe I being too hard on the old girl.
So why doesn't the Elise feel fast until you look at the speedo? When I drive my Wifes car, it is interesting that initially I drive it like the Elise, but seemingly, way, way too fast into corners?
Interesting point though is that my Elise carries much more speed into corner than say my supercharged golf (which also understeers). However, it doesn't feel like it is until you notice the speedo reads more mph! Maybe I being too hard on the old girl.
So why doesn't the Elise feel fast until you look at the speedo? When I drive my Wifes car, it is interesting that initially I drive it like the Elise, but seemingly, way, way too fast into corners?
Any properly set up car can have understeer enduced. Its simply a case of exceeding the front tyres slip angle with your steering inputs.
If you can't make a car understeer its borked.
Not sure its a good idea having mismatched tyres, they will likely have different grip and water clearing characteristics that could get you into trouble. I certainly wouldn't mix, especially on a light weight mid engined car like the liz.
lol Bonce.
PJevo I wouldn't mess with the ARB to be honest, likely to make it worse handling if you fiddle! Also if you want to explore the limits of the car may I recommend a www.1stlotus.com day? I'm about to do my 4th and I learn something new everytime. Its nice to learn in a nice big empty airfield, and you'll be taught exactly what I'm talking about with regards to understeer/oversteer. As mentioned above you are probably too early on the power in the corner which could catch you out at some point (I suffer from a similar problem too, but I'm getting better).
Once you've been to a few 1stlotus days, he'll start to teach you some advanced driving techniques that will help you control turn in of the car.
Dan
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