Traction vs. Grip

[Subaman]

In the British magazines i always see stuff like "the RB5 has traction like the top dog's bollocks, and grip at insane levels".

What is the difference between grip and traction?

My guess: Traction - acceleration. Grip - lateral loads (Gs)???

And another thing, what is a fly-by-wire throttle?

[kyledooley]

I spent a little over a year in England in 98-99 and grew very fond of a couple of their mags. You are right about how they differentiate between acceleration/deceleration and lateral G. As for the dog's bollocks, don't ask. How the top dog's bollocks are any better than the bottom dog's is beyond my comprehension.

As for the throttle by wire; it is a throttle system where by the pedal is not connected directly to the throttle body. A potentiometer tells the ecu how far you have the pedal pressed and the computer tells the fuel management hardware how much to pump in. This is useful for traction control, dynamic stability and all those things where you might want the computer to manage fuel delivery. "Push this pedal to tell us how much you want to go, well worry about how much fuel we use to do it".

Hope that helps.

Kyle

[bryanw]

what is a fly-by-wire throttle?

I could be wrong but I think this refers to a throttle system that's actually controlled by a computer. A Standard acclerator pedal is mechanically linked to the throttle and therefore when you push the pedal, you physically control the throttle. A "drive-by-wire" or "fly-by-wire" system is when you press the pedal, the only thing that does is send a signal to the computer which actually operates the throttle based on the pedal and a bunch of other factors. There's several advantages and disadvantages to it. The advantages are that the feel can be adjusted much easier since it is not dependent on the actual throttle arm. Another advantage is that the throttle response can be adjusted on-the-fly based on the current needs and driving style. You know how the Impreza has a problem with the throttle/pedal bouncing around on rough roads. Well the computer could eliminate this phenomenon almost entirely be sensing the roughness of the road and determining what it thinks you're trying to set the throttle to. The big disadvantage and what scares most people is that they don't want their vehicle speed controlled by the computer. Most of us grew up in a time when automobile computer failure was so common that we'd sit around and drink beer and talk about the "good ol' days" when there were no computers. We've heard stories about cruise controls failing and causing the throttle to stick and accelerating people to 120 mph to their death. I had it happen to me once in my '86 Mustang. not a very good feeling.

The term originated from the new jet control systems that have very few mechanical links to the pilot. Most of the pilots controls are linked to a computer which actually flies the plane. The pilot really just tells the computer where he wants to go, how fast he wants to fly, the altitude, etc. and the computer does the flying.

If I'm not mistaken the current Porsche 911 has a drive-by-wire throttle setup.

[rao]

I believe that the C5 corvette and the VW 1.8T in the new Bug, golf and Jetta have drive by wire.

[Subaman]

Thanks guys!

About the magazines, you are probably referring to EVO and Car, right? EVO is simply the best magazine I have ever seen. I don't always buy them because they cost $8 at my local Tower, but they are great. The Knowledge section on new and used cars is hilarious. Are there any other magazines I am missing (don't like Top Gear too much, Max Power is good for a laugh)?

[kyledooley]

Good call, Rob.

Don't forget the A4/S4, the Ferrari 360, 550 and 456 as well as the BMW 5 and 7 Series...

You get the picture.

Subaman:
You've pretty much got it covered. Evo and Car are the top ones for me. I personally like TG because I think Jeremy Clarkson is hilarious, Tiff Needel and Quentin Wilson are not far behind and Vicki Butler-Henderson is hot as snot. A girly with the looks that knows what the business end of a top set of wheels is.

K.

[This message has been edited by kyledooley (edited May 10, 2000).]

[Paul UK]

You've got the best ones, EVO is absolutely the best magazine on the market, it was set up when Performance Car was bought by CAR, and the original Performance Car guys didn't like the way it was going, so they set up on themselves, hence the similar "look and feel"

as regards traction and grip, Traction is very much off the line stuff and grip is more about cornering speeds/stability.

What I find odd is that US magazines seeem to place a lot of weight on the amount of lateral G a car will handle on the test track, wheras in the UK this is never mentioned (or very occasionally). 2 cars pulling the same G round a smooth test circle will behave very differently given a real world surface.

[Subaman]

Regarding Vicki in Top Gear and car-women in general, have you seen Jennifer Khasnabis (sp?) on Motorweek? Now she is HOT. I saw a clip of her driving the cars too - she looked pretty skilled behind the wheel.

[Subaman]

One British mag I forgot is Autoweek. it comes out every week and is the only one that will cover practically everything in motorsport, especially rallies. The rally coverage is great, even when there hasn't been a WRC round. The magazine is not too expensive either.

One time I saw an ad in Car (I think) for a new magazine called "Rally" - have you ever come across this one?

[Ashmason]

Top dog is better than bottom dog.... In UK speak this is pecking order. So If I am CO of a company I am Top Dog... A mailroom guy could be called bottom dog.

Get the picture? As for bollocks... Even as someone born in the uk, I have no idea how 'the Dogs Bollocks' became slang for really good. But it does, so put the two together and there you have it.

[kyledooley]

Subaman: I think you are thinking of Auto"sport" for the excellent motorsport coverage. If that is so, I agree wholeheartedly. I pick it up whenever I can but my local spot usually runs out before I get there.

As for Jen Khasnabis, I hear you bud.

Ashmason: Joking. I'll take top over bottom dog any day and, from what I can tell, Dog's bollocks are the least of your worries when it comes to mystery slang .

K.

[Subaman]

I always get confused "Autosport...comes out weekly...wasn't it called... Autoweek??? Has... red... letters..." Yeah, you must be right. I know it when I see it at Tower, though.

I think I'll start a Jennifer Khasnabis fan page. This is all I could find on her:
http://www.pbs.org/mpt/motorweek/bios.html

All I want in a girl is that she can drive stick and has rhythm. I wonder if Jen can dance...