Jalopnik Review (GT)

[All-Or-Nothing]

OEMs introduce understeer ALL THE TIME. Find me a car that comes from the factory without some. It's incredibly rare. BMW does it, Porsche does it, Mercedes does it...They don't just do this to kill all of your fun, they often do this for legal reasons. Because when cars start spinning out from under their owners, the blame goes back to the manufacturer. However, when a car pushes well that's just your car saying, "hey fella, slow down!". FYI, the new M3/4 has the same 255F/275R setup with an even wider rear rim (10") and 1" more rear track than front. The M235i has 225F/245R (same size my old e36 M3 had).

Fortunately for us enthusiasts, there are a number of ways to cure understeer. Most of us that track our cars go square, often adding very little width to the back and a LOT to the front. You can also run mild spacers up front to try and even out the difference in F/R track. Even subtle toe and camber changes to the car (both front and rear) can have quite an effect on the neutrality of the car. My BRZ came with ZERO degrees camber up front from the factory!!!!

I think it's badass that GM put 10 and 11" rims with 285s on the 1LE, and even more badass that they put 305 trofeos on the z28. Unfortunately I don't like the Camaro so it's not really an option for me. Do I wish FORD had the balls to do something like that with the Performance Package? Yes, absolutely. But realistically the 255/275 setup will be fine for aggressive street driving and a dedicated set of wider wheels will be on order for the track.

THIS.......

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[lava]

Best review so far. Not the standard "how much does your company advertise with us?" can review. Good job guys. Makes me more confidant everyday

 

[souprmage]

Where did he mention the Shaker was muddy...

Here:

...
Keyless start, tire-pressure monitoring, and a rearview camera all come standard on every model. Optional toys include adaptive cruise control and that blinky light on the dash so you don't plow into the car in front of you ($1,195). There's also blind-spot warning, cross-traffic alert, and a muddy-sounding Shaker premium audio system for $1,795.
...

 

[Brent302]

Here:

Was it the optional shaker pro or was he commenting on the last year shaker pro?

Did he spend the time setting up speaker position and equalizer?

Was he listening to radio or Bluetooth?

Was he listening to Hair Bands or crap rap?

I hate these general statements on the Shaker there are so many variables.

 

[souprmage]

Was it the optional shaker pro or was he commenting on the last year shaker pro?

Did he spend the time setting up speaker position and equalizer?

Was he listening to radio or Bluetooth?

Was he listening to Hair Bands or crap rap?

I hate these general statements on the Shaker there are so many variables.

He specifically says 'Shaker Premium', so 401A, but yeah it's a subjective thing, so only we can decide for ourselves.

But I think adding more than a 3 band EQ is going to be something I do. I'm not that discerning in my musical tastes, but with this car I'll wan't something more than that.

But $500 DSP to give me more options seems like an easy thing to do.

 

[Brent302]

He specifically says 'Shaker Premium', so 401A, but yeah it's a subjective thing, so only we can decide for ourselves.

But I think adding more than a 3 band EQ is going to be something I do. I'm not that discerning in my musical tastes, but with this car I'll wan't something more than that.

But $500 DSP to give me more options seems like an easy thing to do.

I think he just had the normal Shaker then which was the last year pro model which suffered from a muddy mid. I think 99% Will love the new Pro System

 

[xlover]

I think he just had the normal Shaker then which was the last year pro model which suffered from a muddy mid. I think 99% Will love the new Pro System

I really liked the new pro system when I played with it at a dealer training I dropped in on. Thought it was definitely the equal of the b&o branded system in my audi. Granted I only was using it for like 15 min but I tried to play with a bunch of music types.

 

[akwal07]

ok i just noticed that it says they lost 13% power from using 87 gas instead of 93 in the ecoboost...what the hell? what happened to the happiness of being able to not use premium...6$ a tank extra or 40 less hp?

 

[stilesg57]

^^^I know it's sourced well, but honestly I can't believe that a 310hp motor is suddenly a 270hp motor from 6pts of octane. I think tuners like Cobb will have this number MUCH MORE precisely figured out in the next couple weeks, and it WON'T be 40hp. Maybe 20. But I really, REALLY doubt 40.

On the plus side of things, if this motor is THAT sensitive to octane, it'll be a freakin' monster on an E85 tune

 

[w3rkn]

Those who want an agile turbo-stang, will have no problem upgrading their bits to do so.

Also, I see no reason why a de-stressed 2.3l can't do 380ft-lbs.. reliably & 400ft-lbs with some work.

 

[jeebuspwnz]

ok i just noticed that it says they lost 13% power from using 87 gas instead of 93 in the ecoboost...what the hell? what happened to the happiness of being able to not use premium...6$ a tank extra or 40 less hp?

Ford isn't magic. Find me another small turbocharged 4 that makes over 300hp on regular octane. Be happy that they engineered enough room in the ECU to have smooth drivability on 87.

- I had a turbocharged, direct-injected, 2.3 in my Mazdaspeed3. It made 263hp on premium octane. If you put 87 in by mistake, the car would run like absolute crap, usually throw a CEL, and potentially be damaged.

- I also had a turbocharged 2.5 in my STi. It made 300hp with premium. If you put 87 in the timing would drop like a rock, the car would hardly be considered drivable, and once again you would likely throw a CEL.

So no, it doesn't surprise me one bit that the car loses 40hp on 87 octane. What surprises me most is that anyone truly thought otherwise.

 

[Old 5 Oh]

I think they will be easy to cure the push. Hell, even the FRS/BRZ has a .8" wider rear track and those are widely considered to be rotation machines.

A bit of negative camber up front, a pinch less rear toe in, and a square wheel/tire setup...the s550 will be neutral me thinks.

Those are all the right tools. Of COURSE Ford has dialed in some understeer! One of the big "cures" is your right foot. Obviously plenty of power to create rotation, at least at lower speeds. But your suggestions are the cures, and won't be that hard to accomplish. It'll be interesting to see just how much wheel/tire the aftermarket finds can fit under those new fenders. I'm guessing a square 285 setup is a slam dunk, and maybe more.

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