the original Mini was rather "tail happy"

[Tmoose]

Back in an aerodynamic drag downforce thread 87-253222 Greg Locock mentioned the original Mini was rather "tail happy".

The general chestnut offered is FWD cars understeer, so that sounds interesting.

Was that believed likely an aero induced thing, or perhaps related to semi trailing arm rear suspension, or ???

thanks

Dan T

 

[MikeHalloran]

I think that with two or fewer people inside, the real Mini was rather front heavy.
It might be more precise to say that the rear tires were hardly loaded at all until you put something in the rear seats.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[GregLocock]

Yup, nothing to do with aero, everything to do with weight distribution. Same as the handling of light trucks. According to the schoolboy theory the lightly loaded end should have more grip. Ha.

Cheers

Greg Locock


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[Tmoose]

So, Is this yet another area where the "new" Mini is no Mini at all?

 

[MikeHalloran]

For starters, it's half again bigger than a real Mini.
It's also comfortable, well-appointed, and quiet.
What fun is that?

Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[BrianPetersen]

Pure trailing arm suspension with very high spring rates (in the original rubber-spring design) in addition to not much weight on the back.

 

[Tmoose]

Greg L said "According to the schoolboy theory the lightly loaded end should have more grip. Ha....."

But, isn't that part of the commonly offered explanation of how anti-roll bars work? The more heavily loaded tire's grip increases, but not in proportion to the added load?
I have some first hand experiences that all seem to confirm stiffer roll bar increases the slip angle and even reduces the cornering force of the pair of tires.

 

[GregLocock]

Yes you do need to look at the roll stiffness distribution as well as the weight distribution,


Cheers

Greg Locock


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