Awd vs. Rwd

[dsts6]

I thought I would start a thread to discuss this topic....
I am very confused about what the advantages are to each.
This is what i've gathered
RWD=more manueverable, lighter
AWD=more grip, easier to drive
Is AWD ultimatly the one that will take over sports cars in the end? There are more ways to program 4 wheels then 2 wheels so I'm guessing with new AWD systems coming out that improve the handling, awd will perhaps become superior.
What do you all think about this topic? My question basically is, what are the advantages between the two in relation to sports cars and will one ultimatly become the status quo?
Lets talk about the R8 audi for example, would that be faster in Rwd?

[jediali]

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/forum...&highlight=rwd
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/forum...&highlight=rwd

[dsts6]

thanks

[jediali]

The R8 would be faster accelerator a due to lower mass without its 4wd hardware, this would however not match its objectives in meeting audis image in the use of quattro i guess.

[my porsche]

For the most part, people who have never driven a quattro-equipped S or RS model think AWD hinders it's performance and handling severely.

[Ferrer]

For the most part, people who have never driven a quattro-equipped S or RS model think AWD hinders it's performance and handling severely.

Well it's not the most fun setup, that's for sure. Lots of grip though.

[my porsche]

it's impossible to do burnouts pretty much, but the handling in the wet is just phenominal, which in a place where it rains like 200 days of the year is pretty importasnt/

[fpv_gtho]

In a perfect setup, RWD will be faster than the heavier AWD but as we're all taught in school, nothing's perfect.

If you ever watch production car racing also, you'll see where each has their advantages and disadvantages, but you'll probably also have to be careful that the size and weight of the cars regardless of drivetrain isnt distorting it.

Good drivers will also be able to bridge the gap, giving RWD some more life. Jim Richards, a well known semi-retired Aussie race car driver often competes in road rallies, and his favourite weapon seems to be a RWD GT2 Porsche. Its only when it rains that he seems to prefer a 911 Turbo which is less powerful but AWD

[henk4]

it's impossible to do burnouts pretty much,

you formulate that as if doing burnouts is something positive, and not a lack of traction and/or waste of energy...

[Fleet 500]

you formulate that as if doing burnouts is something positive, and not a lack of traction and/or waste of energy...

Actually, that's one of my requirements of any car I own... it must be able to do burnouts!

Some other qualifications:
- Minimum 108" wheelbase
- Minimum 188" overall length
(The above two are the dimensions of a '60s Plymouth Valiant, which is probably the smallest car I would own)
- V-8 engine
- Minimum 180 gross horsepower (but more is better)
- 1971 and earlier, except for Cadillac/Lincoln/Imperial, the one exception being the Lincoln Town Car which I own for economical reasons and which is similar to the big U.S. luxury cars of the '70s (but gets double the fuel mileage)

[henk4]

Actually, that's one of my requirements of any car I own... it must be able to do burnouts!

Some other qualifications:
- Minimum 108" wheelbase
- Minimum 188" overall length
(The above two are the dimensions of a '60s Plymouth Valiant, which is probably the smallest car I would own)
- V-8 engine
- Minimum 180 gross horsepower (but more is better)
- 1971 and earlier, except for Cadillac/Lincoln/Imperial, the one exception being the Lincoln Town Car which I own for economical reasons and which is similar to the big U.S. luxury cars of the '70s (but gets double the fuel mileage)

this thread is about the differences between AWD and RWD. We know your car preferences, no need to repeat them here

[Fleet 500]

this thread is about the differences between AWD and RWD. We know your car preferences, no need to repeat them here

I was replying to the subject of burning rubber.

[henk4]

I was replying to the subject of burning rubber.

then the first line of your post would have done the job completely...

[Fleet 500]

then the first line of your post would have done the job completely...

It does give me an idea about a new thread ("what are your requirements when buying a car").

[Ferrer]

it's impossible to do burnouts pretty much, but the handling in the wet is just phenominal, which in a place where it rains like 200 days of the year is pretty importasnt/

As I said it has phenomenal grip, but as long as adjustable and chuckable handling is concerned Quattros don't do that. It's mostly understeer at the limit. Altough I guess that's not the system's fault itself but also massive weight and fatal weight distribution.