The brakes seemed awful, once you get used to them though you're fine, you just really need to plant your foot for them to work if it's anything like the ZS.
And with regards to speed, I imagine there isnt a lot in it between a 182 and a VTS, although I know before I raised my ZS slightly it seemed a lot faster than it was, I could touch the floor with it wound all the way down, now I've wound them up im about an inch off.
Yeah Im getting used to them now - there is no bite until you stamp on them, which coming from my previous cars was the total opposite!
Like you say, it probably feels faster as its so low, but one thing I am really impressed with is the low down power.
Once in 2nd/3rd it really seems to pull, harder than the 182 low down in the rev range, it pulls away in 2nd no problem, like driving an Auto round town lol