BHP or Balance - my thoughts

The motoring world seems obsessed with numbers. Top speed, BHP and 0-60 figures are deciding factors for many car buyers, especially those looking for thrill and excitement. But should these numbers be priority when looking for a fun drive?

Picture the familiar scene. You're onto your second pint, whilst you and your pub companions are discussing the reason why their car is the most fun to drive. One says the kick up the backside of his torquey Focus ST is the reason it's most fun. Another claims his 'charged Jag's 0-60 sprint creates the most exhilarating drive. And the last is adamant his R reg Elise brings an unbeatable smile to his face through the 'twisties'. Then it's your turn to answer. Of course, your car is the most fun since you drive a car that encompasses all of those qualities in it's own way..don't you? We should hope so, because many would agree that for the ultimate driving experience, a combination of these strengths is required to form a capable, balanced car.

Let's take the previous generation of Vauxhall Astra VXR for example, a car I'm familiar with thanks to several spirited outings in one. There's no doubt, the car is stonkingly quick in a straight line. But throw in a change of direction and the front axle doesn't want to play. Under steer and torque steer really take from the driving experience. It's this imbalance of grip between the front and rear axles that will hamper a drivers 'fun factor'. We think going sideways is fun, but having a tail happy car that constantly oversteers damages driver confidence, making them nervous on turn in for fear of a spin. In short, it's not fast and it's not fun.

An understeering classic racer

For the ultimate driving experience, a car with a neutral balance is what we require, because ultimately a car with a neutral balance is under control. Rather than compensating for understeer, or correcting oversteer, the driver can place the car exactly where he wants. And if he wants a little sideways action, he's got the control to make it happen. This gives the driver confidence, and therefore is not only fast, but fun.

An oversteering Chevvy Camero

A car with a neutral balance will also have a wider window for being 'on the limit'. A driver may find that whilst reaching the limit of mechanical grip, the car begins to slide ever so slightly. These slides can be worked with to angle the car at an apex, or to drift towards the exit of a corner. It's here we find the Holy Grail, because these minute slides are where the exhilarating feel of the limit can be felt. And if you make a mistake, which with most of us being B-Road superheroes we inevitably will, there's more time to correct the car, and a smaller correction is needed. By widening the window of that limit, driving on it becomes easier and therefore more fun.

Controlled slide in a 60s Lotus F1 car