Insideline First Drive: 2012 911

[JulesMaximus]

What's wrong with electric steering? How is it in any way worse than pumping-oily-fluid-assisted-steering?

Since the engine is in the back, it seems like a huge waste to pump oil from the rear to the front to actuate a hydraulic device.

I haven't driven a car with electric steering but I can tell you that the car with the best steering I ever drove had no power assist whatsoever. It was, wait for it...a Lotus Elise. No other car even comes close in feedback through the steering wheel.

 

[Throckmorton]

electric steering typically gives little to no feedback and poor on-center feel.

Why? It's not like the wheel isn't connected directly to the rack and pinion. It's not steer by wire

 

[Howard]

Why? It's not like the wheel isn't connected directly to the rack and pinion. It's not steer by wire

You could always email someone who would actually know.

 

[Throckmorton]

You could always email someone who would actually know.

Who? James May?

 

[PricklyPete]

The car sounds amazing but I am wary of the electrically-assisted steering. Are there any advantages to this other than fuel economy? That alone doesn't sound like a sufficient reason to use it on a performance car like a 911.

I'm leery of electrically-assisted steering like that in a sports car, but I'm confident if any company can do it well it will be Porsche. It may not be quite as good as their hydraulic setup that they had YEARS to perfect, but give them a generation and I doubt we'd ever notice a difference.

It does appear there is some additional benefits...from the Autoblog article:

Porsche has taken a risk with the steering by ditching its traditional hydraulic steering system and replacing it with an electro-mechanical system that is engineered to only use energy during steering maneuvers. Aside from the obvious benefits (less parasitic drag on the engine, simplified machinery and improved fuel efficiency), the system features active self-alignment and a stabilizing system to improve control while braking on surfaces with uneven grip.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/11/2012-porsche-911-carrera-s-first-drive-review/

 

[foghorn67]

I'm leery of electrically-assisted steering like that in a sports car, but I'm confident if any company can do it well it will be Porsche. It may not be quite as good as their hydraulic setup that they had YEARS to perfect, but give them a generation and I doubt we'd ever notice a difference.

It does appear there is some additional benefits...from the Autoblog article:



http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/11/2012-porsche-911-carrera-s-first-drive-review/

That's Porsche for you. Maximizing that side effects for your benefit. I would never buy a Porsche. But they are my favorite car maker.

 

[Howard]

Who? James May?

Yes.

 

[SamurAchzar]

Don't know if it's the same technology, but the electric steering in the GTI feels great.

The GTI does have a very good steering, for electric. It doesn't offer too much feedback but calibrated to give a good feel, which is important but it's still a vague system.
If even Porsche, who's steering feel is the industry benchmark (aside from Lotus, maybe), can't make an electrical steering system work then things are really bad.

I feel quite sorry for the 991, it's obviously a better car than the 997 it replaces but the 911 was one of the only ways you could still get a raw, pure driving experience and it seems like Porsche has taken the edge off.
It happens all around us, BMW fucked their lineup in the same way (new Z4 comes to mind), I guess it's unavoidable.

I'm still waiting for Chris Harris (of Evo magazine) to review it, he's the world authority on 911. Only then we'll have the ultimate verdict.

 

[Zargon]

The car sounds amazing but I am wary of the electrically-assisted steering. Are there any advantages to this other than fuel economy? That alone doesn't sound like a sufficient reason to use it on a performance car like a 911.

electronic assist is really nice actually if done right, having had it on a car I autox'd I didnt like going back to hydraulic....


the running lights are subtle enough they dont bother me and I like the styling throwback to the late 80's