How much would a torque vectoring diff help?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2015
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How much would a torque vectoring diff help?
The the new ford focus rs(why is it in a focus off all things?) it has a new really cool torque vectoring diff. I know the corvette currently has the eLSD but all that does is connect together the rear wheels at different amounts. The torque vectoring diff can send it all to one wheel and help the car turn. Could this system be used to take the corvette's(especially the z06) handling to even greater levels? What are your thoughts?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: My interests are mobile
There are a bunch of different approaches in this current market, that are being employed to make a car rotate. The options run the list of, putting power to outer wheels (Honda SH-AWD), to electronic diffs which act as an LSD and an opened diff, depending on condition, to dragging a brake of an inner wheel, to steering the rear wheels (Porsche), etc.
FWD cars have a different set of challenges as their weight bias, typical tire contact patch and tire loads are a challenge. What works great for one type of platform, may not be necessary for a properly balanced and purpose built performance car.
End of day, hard to say how it'd help, with all things considered. What would it cost, what would it weigh to employ such a system, and would it benefit the Corvette enough to justify itself. All pure guesswork from our perspective.
FWD cars have a different set of challenges as their weight bias, typical tire contact patch and tire loads are a challenge. What works great for one type of platform, may not be necessary for a properly balanced and purpose built performance car.
End of day, hard to say how it'd help, with all things considered. What would it cost, what would it weigh to employ such a system, and would it benefit the Corvette enough to justify itself. All pure guesswork from our perspective.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Any limited slip diff is a torque vectoring diff to some extent. When one side starts to spin the clutches vector the torque to the other side. May not be able to vector all of the torque to just one wheel the requirements for a rear wheel car are different than for a front wheel drive car. If you are on the power in a FWD car with the steering turned the inside rear front wheel can break loose a lot easier than the inside rear wheel of a RWD car. Another thing about having a diff in a FWD car that can transfer all the power to one side of the other is you will get some interesting steering pull as the torque vector moves back and forth.
Bill
Bill
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2015
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From: Ashburn VA
If you want to find out how effective your corvette electronics are, go out to a wet skid pad and turn off all traction and ride electronics, try to do figure 8's and keep it straight. Turn everything on and try it again, there is an overwhelming difference. Or... turn everything off and try some spins for fun. Then turn on weather mode and try to spin it... good luck getting it more than 90 degrees unless you are absolutely horsing it, because the car knows that's what you are trying to do and will give only a little room in WX mode.
