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Body control is the second
way to achieve nimble, athletic performance in cornering - especially
where changes of direction follow each other in quick succession
(as illustrated below). Under these circumstances, Subaru's
low centre of gravity complies much better with the laws of physics,
instead of the driver trying to compensate for their effects. Again,
the Horizontally-Opposed Engine plays a major part in resolving
the equation. The higher the centre of gravity, the easier it is
to lose balance and control, because the front of the car is heavy,
so it tends to roll more through bends. With Subaru, it's a case
of the lower the better - which is why there's such a dramatic difference
between the two examples below. The body language in
a Subaru is always composed and stable, making driving more comfortable,
less tiring and ultimately, more enjoyable. - Exactly why Subaru
makes cars the way it does.
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Whenever a car turns a corner,
centrifugal force acts on the body to move it outwards. This motion
is amplified when the centre of gravity is high, so the car takes
longer to recover its equilibrium afterwards. This pendulum
effect is well understood, which is another reason for relying on
Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The amount of force generated
is called yaw moment or inertia. When you move the weight of the
pendulum closer to the centre of gravity (as we do),
the yaw moment is much smaller, the car is easier to turn, rolls
less, and handling is considerably more poised and stable.
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