electric power steering vs hydraulic

With the introduction of each new model the car manufacturers are looking for every which way to help improve the fuel consumption of the car. One of the current trend is to use electric power steering instead of the traditional hydraulic system. The electric power steering takes away the load and dependency of the engine to supply power assistance for steering actions. In theory the electric power steering appears to be a good bet since it does take an effect on overall fuel consumption and makes parking very easy, however the down side to this is the "feel" or lack of it from the electric power steering. the fuel consumption savings is in the region of 3% to 5% making it a serious improvement to fuel economy.

Typically with a traditional hydraulic system there is a certain level of communication between what the front wheels are doing and the feedback you get from the steering wheel. Most driving enthusiast or people who really enjoy driving fast do not like electric power steering as the steering feels numb and the driver is unable to really feel the grip levels of the front wheels.

Honda has been one of the early birds to use the electric power steering and many drivers complained of over assistance in power steering system making it possible to turn the steering wheel with your little finger. Honda engineers have claimed that the system will stiffen as the speed of the car increase or is speed sensitive but having driven numerous Honda cars in the past the level of stiffening at high speed is not significant enough to invoke serious confidence. Honda took the electric power steering concept one step further and introduced their Variable Ratio Geometry steering which makes the front wheels turn more at certain amounts of steering input to assist in the car's maneuvering. This can be quite overwhelming for someone driving the car for the first time as the car will have a tendency to turn more than expected. This system is only good at parking speeds as it will reduce the amount of steering input.

The latest company to join the band wagon of electric power steering is Porsche with their introduction of the new 911 model (991 series). The new car promised better handling than before but through nearly all the motoring journalist feedback the new electric power steering has put some damper to the overall driving experience of a great car.

Audi is also an advocate for electric power steering and numerous complains have surfaced about the dull and lifeless steering feel. I for one do not like the feel of electric power steering. It just feels too numb and disconnected.