Variable gear ratio steering in hatchback VGS?

[rjvanro]

Hiya Civic Fans,

The Aug. 15 hatchback news release mentions "sport-tuned electronic power steering with variable gear ratios" This is worded differently than the coupe description at honda Canada's website which says "Variable Ratio Electric Power-Assisted Rack-and-Pinion Steering (EPS)"

Is there any chance the coupe and hatch are set up differently? Would this system be similar to the system put into the S2000 as described in the post (found on wiki) below? Thnx.

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The VGS system, which will debut in the S2000 type V, varies the steering gear ratio continuously according to vehicle speed and steering angle to provide a heightened "joy of maneuvering." The adoption of this variable ratio system ensures ideal handling performance through a broad range of driving conditions. Agile and exhilarating performance is especially noticeable on winding roads, since the front end of the vehicle turns sharply in precise response to driver steering input. While cruising at high speeds on expressways, the VGS offers a smooth and progressive ratio setup without excessive sensitivity, providing the driver with the relaxed and reliable driving feel of conventional steering systems. Astonishingly, the lock-to- lock ratio* is almost halved to 1.4 turns for better maneuverability in the low speed ranges.

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[PirelliPZero]

Mechanically they will likely be exactly the same, right down to the steering ratios. But one benefit of electric steering is that it can easily be adjusted to provide a little more or less assist; so they could simply tweak it to accommodate the differences in weight, stabilizer bars or to account for the way 235/40-18 tires will affect handling versus 215/55-16, for example. So that could be considered "sport tuning."

The steering in the S2000 will never be comparable to the other Hondas because it is RWD; that alone will have the biggest impact on feel. The Type V, of course, we never got in North America, so most people don't have any idea what that VGS system feels like anyhow; but yes, it sounds very similar. It is an older system, though.

The new Civic has a dual-pinion setup that the S2000 Type V did not have. Here's what Honda says about it:

The dual pinion steering provides substantially improved feel compared to the previous-generation Civic. Compared to a traditional single-pinion steering system, the dual pinion EPS utilizes the physical steering input from the driver as well as from a supplemental electric motor. A non-contact torque sensor measures the driver's steering effort and an ECU determines how much electric motor assist to add, with the result being a seamless, natural feeling steering in all situations.

The steering ratio is variable over a 17-percent range with a final full off-center rotation ratio of 10.93:1. This provides a quick 2.2 turns lock-to-lock compared to 3.1 turns lock-to-lock for the previous Civic, significantly reducing the steering effort when parking or maneuvering.​

The 2017 NSX also uses a dual pinion, variable gear ratio EPS. The NSX also has different driving modes that affect the EPS steering settings, with its Sport modes reducing steering assist based on vehicle speed and steering angle. The Civic Si will have a Sport button that likely does the same thing, and it's possible the hatchback Sport model might also.

 

[rjvanro]

Pirelli, Thanks a bunch for your time in this reply

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