"Matrix tests" isn't defined; but drone and rigging actions are defined under the "Wireless World" section. Thus, the +2 dice likely applies.

+2 dice available for having a Control Rig (p. 331)

And, lastly, a -1 threshold modifier to all Vehicle Tests while in VR (p 159).

Toss the rigger in question behind the wheel of a sports car for an additional +3 dice to handling tests.

Thus, an "average joe" (Reaction 3) with "low insurance premiums" (Groundcraft 1)
Tosses out 11 dice, with a -1 threshold to Vehicle Tests. Statistically, that's like looking at 14 dice.

I guess I don't really have any complaints with this; after all technology that lets you be the car is bound to influence your abilities substantially. I was just surprised at how many "free" dice are available for rigging.

The original VCR was also considerably costlier essence-wise and resource-wise.

The VCR was so powerful in SR3, though, that anyone driving without one was just eaten alive by anyone with one. In SR4, many of the benefits of Virtual Reality control are provided to anyone with a commlink, hot-sim, and 'trodes -- which is to say, nearly every runner. This means that having a dedicated rigger character isn't an absolute necessity in SR4.

It's a page earlier than where they say to look for it.

Especially since in SR4 all the various Reaction Enhancements and the methods for getting extra init passes do still apply when in control of a vehicle. Under previous editions, if you weren't rigged, you didn't get the effect of your reaction/init boosts, so this is a big change and goes a long way to leveling the track.

Does that mean you basically substitute reaction for your Command program rating if using Remote Control? That's kind of interesting, especially as you can use remote control from Hot-Sim VR, and get +2 dice to it (as it is on the list on page 219). You don't get the -1 threshold (about 3 dice worth) you get for being jumped in, but you also don't risk taking damage when the drone does. You also won't get the control rig bonus, if you actually have a control rig.

Keep in mind that when using the command program to issue commands to your drone, the drone acts on its own, independent initative. If the drone gets a better init score than the rigger, and it doesn't currently have a command to act on, it'll have to delay its action until the rigger's phase, when the rigger can issue a new command. If the rigger gets a better init score than the drone, the rigger will issue a command on his phase, but then will have to wait for the drone's phase to see the command acted upon.

As an aside, you mention that a -1 threshold is worth about 3 dice. This is very true when looking at it from the law of averages, but there's another way of looking at it as well: If you're spending dice to buy automatic hits, -1 threshold is worth the 4 dice you'd have to spend to get 1 automatic hit.

No. You use your own attributes when "jumped in".

However, you can remotely control a vehicle without jumping in (using AR rather than Full VR). THEN you use Command + Skill.

Controlling Devices, pg 220.

Agreed, especially now that your VCR doesn't essentially let you default to (augmented) Reaction for free and throw more dice at a lower TN than meatspace drivers who *had* the right skill, like you did in SR3.