Thanks for the welcome all!
So my RS is an early 2017 build, so that means that the head has been pulled to replace the incorrect head gasket. I have had no issues, but some have had issues after. It also means I do not have the revised dampers that came on the later 2017 and all 2018 models. From what I have read they greatly improve the ride quality on normal suspension mode and removes the notorious vertical bounce. Right off the bat, the Veloster rides better in all modes. Normal mode is substantially better, and even in full sport+ the ride is not bad. I feel like the N team really nailed the damping rates. The Recaro seats in the RS are extremely aggressive, though not completely uncomfortable when you get your seating position right. The seating position though is a bit to high, and the rake of the lower half of the seat to aggressive. The new N Light seats in the 2021 N are absolutely brilliant; not overly aggressive but still hold you in place. And the lower seating position gives a better feel for me personally.
I do have to say that the RS as a driving machine is a work of art. The trans is amazing, the shift is tight and positive, clutch feel is not to heavy or light, and has a very low bite point. The AWD system is simply brilliant. You can slam the throttle through a turn and feel the back outside wheel push the car around. There is ZERO understeer in the car, and it does not have the extreme lift-off oversteer of the ST. The steering has amazing feedback, and turn in is immediate. When you think you have reached the limit of the car and its grip, it just asks for more. That said, there are a few things I feel Ford missed on in a big way.
First is the temperature issues. You can only run the car hard on the track for 15-20 minutes at a time, before the PDU (Primary Drive Unit) gets to hot and disengages the RDU (rear drive unit) and disables the drive modes. For a car that was built specifically to decimate cars way above its price point on the track, I feel that a pretty advanced oil cooler should have been standard to help lengthen its ability to remain on track. Second is the factory tune. The car has a max boost pressure of 23.5 PSI (depending on ambient air temps) to make its 350 hp/350 tq. The stock tune limits boost to 17-18 PSI in the first two gears. Yes, the car can still bolt from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds with a 5500 rpm launch. There is also a weird dead zone in the stock tune around half throttle, where you are hitting maybe 10-12 psi of boost, but the car falls flat because it is dumping all the fuel for a WOT run. An aftermarket tune removes this limit on the first and second gear and the car becomes an absolute rocket from a stand still, and also fixes that mid-throttle dead zone. Of course, having an aftermarket tune means good luck trying to get something covered under warranty.
The VN so far is giving me all the fun and smiles the RS gave me. The car is really, really good. The DCT, which I had serious doubts about when I went in for the test drive, is stunningly good. I would dare say the VN with this DCT is as fast as my RS up to 90-100 mph. The ride quality even in N mode is not back breaking (at least if you don't take any large, sharp bumps). Everything is more comfortable. The handling in the N was another surprise for me. Going back to FWD, I was not expecting as much as the N gave me. I have powered out of bends and turns like I would in the RS, and the N gives me almost the same feel. No understeer, the back feels like it comes around with the car. Not quite the noticeable push from the RS AWD system. It just comes around, predictably. The only thing I will say that the RS does better is the steering feel, but I have only had the N for a couple days now and have not been able to work the steering as much as the RS, so that feeling could change.
I honestly think that if I were to track these two cars back to back, I feel the N w/ DCT would be very close to the RS on lap times. Again, this car really feels that good. And so much more livable as a daily. The RS is a track toy in my opinion. If I was 20-25 years old it probably would not bother me, but at 40, I want my little performance hatchback to be comfortable as well.
Sorry for the book. I have just done a lot of thinking about cars over the last few weeks....lol. Cheers everyone!
