New Delta Steering......

[angelorange]

"The new Delta has also a driving assistant that gives more safety, an electric eye monitors the road and gives feedback to steering wheel to suggest corrections to the driver"


Could this be the reason latest reports seem to damn the New Delta's steering feel?

e.g. : "the lifeless steering is a letdown, and the Delta can’t match the agility of a Ford Focus" Auto Express

The old Delta was always praised for it's steering feedback.

[Harvey]

I can cope with electronic gadgetry as long as it can be switched off. I've always found Lancias to be amongst the best at steering feel, and would be disappointed if the Delta has Audi-like feel.

[peterbaker]

This refers to the switch that allows ultralight steering for city use, some call it the 'girls steering' which of course is politcally incorrect

[Harvey]

I'd take exception to that description! I've been known to use the City setting when getting into really tight spaces.
It leaves me free to concentrate on the parking rather than tugging at the steering wheel...

[peterbaker]

And me, as well as Peter Collins, its a very useful extra. Are you at Silverstone this weekend by any chance?

[Harvey]

I have another weekend of Disney princesses and Barbie DVDs to look forward to!

Do I need a navigator for the LMC Economy Run? I have my daughters then, too, but I was thinking of asking them if they'd like a weekend away (without mentioning the car stuff! - sneaky daddy ) Before I ask them, though, I ought to check whether I need a map-reader. I managed the Giro by following the sound of Tony's exhaust! 

[peterbaker]

We do run a mix and match service,

[Harvey]

Good - I'll let you know!

And now, feeling embarrassed about the thread-hijack, back to the topic....!!

If there's an electronic eye giving feedback to the driver through the wheel, it suggests more than the boost to the power steering. It sounds like more motors fixed to the column, which would lead me to expect less feel. A lot of this stuff is useful and life-saving, but disappointingly removes the driver one step further away from the road. I expect we'll all get used to in given enough time (like ABS, EBD, etc.) but surely there's still room for those of us who like simplicity in our cars, and can be trusted not to test the limit of the handling on every B-road corner?!

[Neil Lewis]

Speak for yourself.  Isn't that what B roads are for?

Neil

[Harvey]

Well, what I mean is there's a fine line between spirited driving within the limits of the car (and driver) and then there's setting out to find out where that limit is by testing it. There is a branch of engineering devoted to "destructive testing" but I've never encountered it as a principle for driving!