Driving the RS and the Evo 8 Blindfolded
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Driving the RS and the Evo 8 Blindfolded
I'm seriously considering buying the RS when it is released.
What performance differences can you tell if you were driving both cars blindfolded?
Would it be noticibly faster?
Would it noticibly outhandle the regular EVO?
P.S. Do not drive any car blindfolded!
What performance differences can you tell if you were driving both cars blindfolded?
Would it be noticibly faster?
Would it noticibly outhandle the regular EVO?
P.S. Do not drive any car blindfolded!
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From: Between the Blue and the Sand
The car is not yet released. So there is no way for anyone to factually answer your questions.
If you read Motor Trend this month, you know as much about how the Evo RS will handle as we do.
SC~
If you read Motor Trend this month, you know as much about how the Evo RS will handle as we do.
SC~
Sports Car International (March 2004, No. 161) drove the VIII and the RS back-to-back at Willow Springs Intl. Raceway and had this to say:
"The RS feels a touch more nimble and a little more eager to rotate than the standard car. The RS feels more sensitive to mid-corner throttle or brake inputs. Trail-braking into a turn or abrutply lifting off the throttle before the exit brings the rear around in a nice, predictable manner. Plus oversteer was more easily controlled in the RS than in the standard-issue Evo.
"While having slightly less mass may have contributed to the RS's friendlier feel at the limit, the car's front limited-slip differential played a more discernable role. This device let us get back on the throttle incredibly early, thus taming the oversteer more quickly and allowing for even stronger acceleration out of the corners...
"'But what about acceleration,' you ask, 'does the RS feel any faster in a straight line?' Well, um, err, no. Actually, the Evo with the vanity mirrors and extra grab handles felt a little faster, but this was due to the fact it had nearly 20,000 miles on it; the Evo RS we drove was not fully broken in yet. But still, we feel that we could go marginally faster in the 'green' Evo RS, and in the end, better lap times are the RS's raison d'etre."
Other observations. The Brembos are still fantastic, even without ABS. The front LSD has no discernable drawbacks. "The front end did hunt around slightly more than the regular Evo's, but without any of the STi's wheel-tugging antics."
It's a pretty good article and they follow it up with a close look at the 2003 SCCA ProRally Evo.
If you're willing to lose the HID's, rear wing, ABS, power windows, sound deadening materials, trunk trim, air conditioning, rear window wiper, central locking, keyless entry, then go for it. Personally, I wouldn't want it as a daily driver. However, I hope there's a group buy organized for the RS's helical-type mechanical front LSD and trunk brace that our full-blown Evo's don't have.
"The RS feels a touch more nimble and a little more eager to rotate than the standard car. The RS feels more sensitive to mid-corner throttle or brake inputs. Trail-braking into a turn or abrutply lifting off the throttle before the exit brings the rear around in a nice, predictable manner. Plus oversteer was more easily controlled in the RS than in the standard-issue Evo.
"While having slightly less mass may have contributed to the RS's friendlier feel at the limit, the car's front limited-slip differential played a more discernable role. This device let us get back on the throttle incredibly early, thus taming the oversteer more quickly and allowing for even stronger acceleration out of the corners...
"'But what about acceleration,' you ask, 'does the RS feel any faster in a straight line?' Well, um, err, no. Actually, the Evo with the vanity mirrors and extra grab handles felt a little faster, but this was due to the fact it had nearly 20,000 miles on it; the Evo RS we drove was not fully broken in yet. But still, we feel that we could go marginally faster in the 'green' Evo RS, and in the end, better lap times are the RS's raison d'etre."
Other observations. The Brembos are still fantastic, even without ABS. The front LSD has no discernable drawbacks. "The front end did hunt around slightly more than the regular Evo's, but without any of the STi's wheel-tugging antics."
It's a pretty good article and they follow it up with a close look at the 2003 SCCA ProRally Evo.
If you're willing to lose the HID's, rear wing, ABS, power windows, sound deadening materials, trunk trim, air conditioning, rear window wiper, central locking, keyless entry, then go for it. Personally, I wouldn't want it as a daily driver. However, I hope there's a group buy organized for the RS's helical-type mechanical front LSD and trunk brace that our full-blown Evo's don't have.
Last edited by speedomodel; Jan 26, 2004 at 10:03 AM.
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Originally posted by speedomodel
Sports Car International (March 2004, No. 161) drove the VIII and the RS back-to-back at Willow Springs Intl. Raceway and had this to say:
"The RS feels a touch more nimble and a little more eager to rotate than the standard car. The RS feels more sensitive to mid-corner throttle or brake inputs. Trail-braking into a turn or abrutply lifting off the throttle before the exit brings the rear around in a nice, predictable manner. Plus oversteer was more easily controlled in the RS than in the standard-issue Evo.
"While having slightly less mass may have contributed to the RS's friendlier feel at the limit, the car's front limited-slip differential played a more discernable role. This device let us get back on the throttle incredibly early, thus taming the oversteer more quickly and allowing for even stronger acceleration out of the corners...
Sports Car International (March 2004, No. 161) drove the VIII and the RS back-to-back at Willow Springs Intl. Raceway and had this to say:
"The RS feels a touch more nimble and a little more eager to rotate than the standard car. The RS feels more sensitive to mid-corner throttle or brake inputs. Trail-braking into a turn or abrutply lifting off the throttle before the exit brings the rear around in a nice, predictable manner. Plus oversteer was more easily controlled in the RS than in the standard-issue Evo.
"While having slightly less mass may have contributed to the RS's friendlier feel at the limit, the car's front limited-slip differential played a more discernable role. This device let us get back on the throttle incredibly early, thus taming the oversteer more quickly and allowing for even stronger acceleration out of the corners...
well, at least I know it handles better, with some strut bars, stabilizer bars and maybe some sway bars, handling could be better. I plan on keeping the stock springs and shocks though
"'But what about acceleration,' you ask, 'does the RS feel any faster in a straight line?' Well, um, err, no. Actually, the Evo with the vanity mirrors and extra grab handles felt a little faster, but this was due to the fact it had nearly 20,000 miles on it; the Evo RS we drove was not fully broken in yet. But still, we feel that we could go marginally faster in the 'green' Evo RS, and in the end, better lap times are the RS's raison d'etre."
Other observations. The Brembos are still fantastic, even without ABS. The front LSD has no discernable drawbacks. "The front end did hunt around slightly more than the regular Evo's, but without any of the STi's wheel-tugging antics."
If you're willing to lose the HID's, rear wing, ABS, power windows, sound deadening materials, trunk trim, air conditioning, rear window wiper, central locking, keyless entry, then go for it. Personally, I wouldn't want it as a daily driver. However, I hope there's a group buy organized for the RS's helical-type mechanical front LSD and trunk brace that our full-blown Evo's don't have.
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The handling differences described in that article could just as easily be due to a difference in the wheel alignments as opposed to LSD, lower weight, etc. Evo handling seem fairly sensitive to wheel alignment, especially front camber.
The factory front camber of the normal Evo seems to be typically 0 to -0.5 degrees. I wonder what the factory alignment is of the RS?
The factory front camber of the normal Evo seems to be typically 0 to -0.5 degrees. I wonder what the factory alignment is of the RS?
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The RS with the Urban Jungle package sounds like as close to perfect daily driver as can be found. If it just had the rear window wiper and HID's it would be set. Then again, there's only about 50-60 pounds difference to the VIII with no sunroof and the RS so with the UJ package it's probably only 20-30 pounds so probably no point in going RS UJ and just get an VIII with no sunroof.
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I am on a allocation list for a R/S...I like the fact the radio is gone so I can put my own in. Don't drive much at night so no need for HID's. I have an Audi S4 now and if I like the R/S I will get rid of the S4. I do like to go to the track and any weight of the car is good. Do the Buschur kit (-56lbs), lighter track wheels (-20 rotating), remove spare (-40) and you have a pretty light track/street car I can still get two kids seats in.
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Originally posted by 4ringturncoat
I am on a allocation list for a R/S...I like the fact the radio is gone so I can put my own in. Don't drive much at night so no need for HID's. I have an Audi S4 now and if I like the R/S I will get rid of the S4. I do like to go to the track and any weight of the car is good. Do the Buschur kit (-56lbs), lighter track wheels (-20 rotating), remove spare (-40) and you have a pretty light track/street car I can still get two kids seats in.
I am on a allocation list for a R/S...I like the fact the radio is gone so I can put my own in. Don't drive much at night so no need for HID's. I have an Audi S4 now and if I like the R/S I will get rid of the S4. I do like to go to the track and any weight of the car is good. Do the Buschur kit (-56lbs), lighter track wheels (-20 rotating), remove spare (-40) and you have a pretty light track/street car I can still get two kids seats in.
Yep, thats my philosophy. Did they say how much they'd charge you for the RS?
Here's another perspective from Sport Compact Car (March 2004, Vol. 16, No. 3), who also tested the Evo VIII and RS back-to-back at Willow Springs...
"The RS is more receptive to mudslide driving tactics as it passes its adhesion limits and rotates much more confidently than the standard VIII. It was far more receptive to direction changes through left-footbraking and more predictable in the execution of maneuvers."
Also, SCC had some bad news for us full-blown VIII owners eager to get the RS's front LSD. Apparently, the addition of the front LSD dictated the loss of ABS. "After all, making ABS work along with three limited-slip differentials is a neat engineering trick that, so far, can only be accomplished with an active center diff." So, I guess we'll need the ACD as well if we want to keep ABS?
Then again, this might be an excuse to work on my threshold braking.
"The RS is more receptive to mudslide driving tactics as it passes its adhesion limits and rotates much more confidently than the standard VIII. It was far more receptive to direction changes through left-footbraking and more predictable in the execution of maneuvers."
Also, SCC had some bad news for us full-blown VIII owners eager to get the RS's front LSD. Apparently, the addition of the front LSD dictated the loss of ABS. "After all, making ABS work along with three limited-slip differentials is a neat engineering trick that, so far, can only be accomplished with an active center diff." So, I guess we'll need the ACD as well if we want to keep ABS?
Then again, this might be an excuse to work on my threshold braking.
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From: alabama
i wouldnt buy one if my life depended on it they dont look as good for one and NO AC what were they thinking i dont care what kind of race car i have its going to have ac and anything you do to it will void your warranty mine is voided and thag mungsten moss act doesnt do sh*t they said look in the manual that just what i think...
Originally posted by 4ringturncoat
I am on a allocation list for a R/S...I like the fact the radio is gone so I can put my own in. Don't drive much at night so no need for HID's. I have an Audi S4 now and if I like the R/S I will get rid of the S4. I do like to go to the track and any weight of the car is good. Do the Buschur kit (-56lbs), lighter track wheels (-20 rotating), remove spare (-40) and you have a pretty light track/street car I can still get two kids seats in.
I am on a allocation list for a R/S...I like the fact the radio is gone so I can put my own in. Don't drive much at night so no need for HID's. I have an Audi S4 now and if I like the R/S I will get rid of the S4. I do like to go to the track and any weight of the car is good. Do the Buschur kit (-56lbs), lighter track wheels (-20 rotating), remove spare (-40) and you have a pretty light track/street car I can still get two kids seats in.
Regardless of which trim level you choose, I think you'll be happy. I made the same switch from an APR Stg1 '00 S4 to the Evo. I haven't looked back since. Once my BR Stg3 is set up I'll have that "freight train" pull that my chipped S4 had, plus I'll have handling and braking that alot of S4 owners pine for.
"Even trip to the grocery store feels like a transit stage on a pro rally."
Originally posted by speedomodel
Sports Car International (March 2004, No. 161) drove the VIII and the RS back-to-back at Willow Springs Intl. Raceway and had this to say:
"The RS feels a touch more nimble and a little more eager to rotate than the standard car. The RS feels more sensitive to mid-corner throttle or brake inputs. Trail-braking into a turn or abrutply lifting off the throttle before the exit brings the rear around in a nice, predictable manner. Plus oversteer was more easily controlled in the RS than in the standard-issue Evo.
"While having slightly less mass may have contributed to the RS's friendlier feel at the limit, the car's front limited-slip differential played a more discernable role. This device let us get back on the throttle incredibly early, thus taming the oversteer more quickly and allowing for even stronger acceleration out of the corners...
"'But what about acceleration,' you ask, 'does the RS feel any faster in a straight line?' Well, um, err, no. Actually, the Evo with the vanity mirrors and extra grab handles felt a little faster, but this was due to the fact it had nearly 20,000 miles on it; the Evo RS we drove was not fully broken in yet. But still, we feel that we could go marginally faster in the 'green' Evo RS, and in the end, better lap times are the RS's raison d'etre."
Other observations. The Brembos are still fantastic, even without ABS. The front LSD has no discernable drawbacks. "The front end did hunt around slightly more than the regular Evo's, but without any of the STi's wheel-tugging antics."
It's a pretty good article and they follow it up with a close look at the 2003 SCCA ProRally Evo.
If you're willing to lose the HID's, rear wing, ABS, power windows, sound deadening materials, trunk trim, air conditioning, rear window wiper, central locking, keyless entry, then go for it. Personally, I wouldn't want it as a daily driver. However, I hope there's a group buy organized for the RS's helical-type mechanical front LSD and trunk brace that our full-blown Evo's don't have.
Sports Car International (March 2004, No. 161) drove the VIII and the RS back-to-back at Willow Springs Intl. Raceway and had this to say:
"The RS feels a touch more nimble and a little more eager to rotate than the standard car. The RS feels more sensitive to mid-corner throttle or brake inputs. Trail-braking into a turn or abrutply lifting off the throttle before the exit brings the rear around in a nice, predictable manner. Plus oversteer was more easily controlled in the RS than in the standard-issue Evo.
"While having slightly less mass may have contributed to the RS's friendlier feel at the limit, the car's front limited-slip differential played a more discernable role. This device let us get back on the throttle incredibly early, thus taming the oversteer more quickly and allowing for even stronger acceleration out of the corners...
"'But what about acceleration,' you ask, 'does the RS feel any faster in a straight line?' Well, um, err, no. Actually, the Evo with the vanity mirrors and extra grab handles felt a little faster, but this was due to the fact it had nearly 20,000 miles on it; the Evo RS we drove was not fully broken in yet. But still, we feel that we could go marginally faster in the 'green' Evo RS, and in the end, better lap times are the RS's raison d'etre."
Other observations. The Brembos are still fantastic, even without ABS. The front LSD has no discernable drawbacks. "The front end did hunt around slightly more than the regular Evo's, but without any of the STi's wheel-tugging antics."
It's a pretty good article and they follow it up with a close look at the 2003 SCCA ProRally Evo.
If you're willing to lose the HID's, rear wing, ABS, power windows, sound deadening materials, trunk trim, air conditioning, rear window wiper, central locking, keyless entry, then go for it. Personally, I wouldn't want it as a daily driver. However, I hope there's a group buy organized for the RS's helical-type mechanical front LSD and trunk brace that our full-blown Evo's don't have.
