Page 2 of 6 FirstFirst 1234 ... LastLast
Results 16 to 30 of 85

Thread: All Wheel drive better than Rear wheel

  1. #16
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    brisbane - sub-tropical land of mangoes
    Posts
    16,251
    Quote Originally Posted by Tihomir
    All race cars are not RWD, Rally cars are almost exclusively AWD
    Quote Originally Posted by clutch-monkey
    unless you plan on going off road, AWD is in a lot of cases a redundant
    thanks captain obvious
    Quote Originally Posted by Tihomir
    And all the examples you submitted are on the upper high edge of automotive technology, where acceleration is one of the features that is necessary.
    the examples are also a lot about handling too.
    Quote Originally Posted by Tihomir
    For any level of driving below the profesional circuit, AWD is king.
    define professional circuit. in amateur track days and sprints most of the people drive RWD sports cars, AWD is definately the minority, and definately not near the front of th epack either.... hell, i drive a fwd in autocross.
    Quote Originally Posted by Tihomir
    AWD is king.
    less skilled drivers may find AWD king, yes.
    Andreas Preuninger, Manager of Porsche High Performance Cars: "Grandmas can use paddles. They aren't challenging."

  2. #17
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Barcelona
    Posts
    33,489
    Quote Originally Posted by Tihomir
    But what about the AWD systems that have a 20-80 power distribution. Those seem like the best of both worlds. They have the regular RWD feel, while being able to shift to a power distribution more suitable for fine handling.
    Such a rear bisaed 4WD system is pointless in my opinion. You've got all the disadvantages of 4WD (higer fuel consumption, high transmission loses) with none of the advantages (traction)...
    Lack of charisma can be fatal.
    Visca Catalunya!

  3. #18
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Posts
    11
    Sure, tires play a major point in handling, but comparing handling between AWD and RWD, AWD has the upper hand. And as someone stated earlier in this thread, RWD is only good for drifting, oh and for a faster acceleration.

    EDIT: The AWD in almost any form serves to further the handling of the car, often to a level unatainable by Traction Cotrol.
    Last edited by Tihomir; 02-09-2007 at 12:21 AM.

  4. #19
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    nr Edinburgh, Whisky-soaked Scotland
    Posts
    27,775
    Quote Originally Posted by Tihomir
    Sure, tires play a major point in handling, but comparing handling between AWD and RWD, AWD has the upper hand. And as someone stated earlier in this thread, RWD is only good for drifting, oh and for a faster acceleration.

    EDIT: The AWD in almost any form serves to further the handling of the car, often to a level unatainable by Traction Cotrol.
    AWD losses in transmission are larger than RWD. SO if you compare cars with smae power then the AWD is slower.
    In cornering an RWD will corner in most cases on good surface faster.
    THe benefit AWD is that it is easier to be "fast" than in a comparable RWD.
    Hence lots of wannabees buy AWD Scoobies and Evos
    "A woman without curves is like a road without bends, you might get to your destination quicker but the ride is boring as hell'

  5. #20
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Aberdeen
    Posts
    2,975
    Quote Originally Posted by Tihomir
    Sure, tires play a major point in handling, but comparing handling between AWD and RWD, AWD has the upper hand. And as someone stated earlier in this thread, RWD is only good for drifting, oh and for a faster acceleration.

    EDIT: The AWD in almost any form serves to further the handling of the car, often to a level unatainable by Traction Cotrol.
    car bias aside...i think Matra is correct. It takes me back to the M3 vs S4 argument. There is also a difference in car personalities. I notivce that Rwd appears in cars designed from the start to be drivers cars. Awd cars generally arise out of mutli-purpose chassis (except pure bread offroaders). Ie audis, lancer, many C-segment hatchs - they all existed with Fwd then had a prop thrown to the rear axle to make it 4wd. Trouble is these cars still have the problems of a front heavy car - understeer (this is corrected in some cars by clever suspension or electronic intervention - but ultimately removes you from a true relationship with the road). Therefore unless Awd is talking you off road or your happy with your unflexible racing line, Awd is digging itself a hole to match its rwd competition. if some quattro etc.. fanboys are going to disagree please say why
    autozine.org

  6. #21
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Eindhoven, The Netherlands
    Posts
    7,833
    Quote Originally Posted by Matra et Alpine
    AWD losses in transmission are larger than RWD. SO if you compare cars with smae power then the AWD is slower.
    In cornering an RWD will corner in most cases on good surface faster.
    THe benefit AWD is that it is easier to be "fast" than in a comparable RWD.
    Hence lots of wannabees buy AWD Scoobies and Evos
    Not to forget AWD systems cost a lot more to manufacture. This is the real reason why there are not too many around at the moment.

    Plus dont forget all the extra work for those poor designers, they'll loose all their coffee breaks

  7. #22
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    South England
    Posts
    685
    Tihomir is a AWD fan boy...basically if your a true petrol head you will always prefer RWD simply because its faster, the driver is in control and most importantly its much lighter.. whereas if you live in the alps you will always prefer AWD...
    Last edited by Clique; 02-09-2007 at 04:49 AM.
    You type without knowledge, you are 'a keyboard warrior - lots of mouth, little brain....

  8. #23
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Fort Rucker, AL
    Posts
    3,092
    RWD is always better in Richmond, we don't get enough bad weather to really need AWD. I think AWD is dead weight if your engine doesn't have an absurd amount of power. So basically the Veyrons in the world are the only ones that truly need AWD.

  9. #24
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Aberdeen
    Posts
    2,975
    Quote Originally Posted by Sweeney921
    RWD is always better in Richmond, we don't get enough bad weather to really need AWD. I think AWD is dead weight if your engine doesn't have an absurd amount of power. So basically the Veyrons in the world are the only ones that truly need AWD.
    in that case fwd is fine here as long as the weather is fine. it represents the most efficient way to economise and maximise passenger space. Its an institution in budget Europe.
    autozine.org

  10. #25
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Posts
    1,200
    I personally like AWD for it's safety. The main draw-backs have been mentioned already.

    RWD is better when it comes down to it.

    AWD is safer.

    Still doesn't mean that I am not going to keep asking my friend to let me drive his EVO IX
    Power, whether measured as HP, PS, or KW is what accelerates cars and gets it up to top speed. Power also determines how far you take a wall when you hit it
    Engine torque is an illusion.

  11. #26
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    95616
    Posts
    5,357
    Hmm... funny how noone mentioned understeer in AWDs.
    I'm dropping out to create a company that starts with motorcycles, then cars, and forty years later signs a legendary Brazilian driver who has a public and expensive feud with his French teammate.

  12. #27
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Northern New Jersey
    Posts
    16,602
    I know the creator of this thread very well come to think of it. He's sleeping 5 feet away from me.
    Rockefella says:
    pat's sister is hawt
    David Fiset says:
    so is mine
    David Fiset says:
    do want

  13. #28
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Gran Canaria, Spain
    Posts
    3,525
    Quote Originally Posted by Rockefella
    I know the creator of this thread very well come to think of it. He's sleeping 5 feet away from me.
    He made you sleep on the couch again didn't he?
    http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31695
    - Are YOU listed? -

  14. #29
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Northern New Jersey
    Posts
    16,602
    Quote Originally Posted by Pando
    He made you sleep on the couch again didn't he?
    Easy cowboy, don't get any ideas.

    Tihomir is actually my roomate at school. He told/tells me that AWD is better than RWD when it comes up in conversation, so I told him to post it up here.. for the hell of it.
    Rockefella says:
    pat's sister is hawt
    David Fiset says:
    so is mine
    David Fiset says:
    do want

  15. #30
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    California
    Posts
    3,552
    AWD does add weight, as does RWD over FWD, but it does have its advantages. The main one being traction; you can mash the accelerator at any time and AWD will claw its way through, especially noticeable in tight corners while climbing. Seems a ham-fisted way to go fast, but in a more powerful car transfering power with four instead of two wheels makes for a lot less intrusive TCS (Traction Control System). For the most part TCS would be enough to make RWD behave in low traction conditions.

    The Veyron, Gallardo, and 911 Turbo all tame massive horsepower with AWD. For cars with less power where harnessing the power is the main goal, the advantage is confidence in incliment whether.

    The AWD disadvantages; vague steering, added weight, increased fuel consumption, and added maintenance (if limited to diff oil changes).

    Overall, I prefer RWD for its simpler setup and purer driving experience. It's the better system for sports cars, if based on steering feel alone. Still, for a do-it-all vehicle, AWD provides an extra margin or safety.
    "Racing improves the breed" ~Sochiro Honda

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Cheap, Mid engine, Rear Wheel Drive who's the best
    By mechanixfetch in forum Car comparison
    Replies: 75
    Last Post: 10-21-2009, 11:49 PM
  2. Front wheel drive, rear wheel drive or all wheel drive?
    By morobas in forum Technical forums
    Replies: 48
    Last Post: 12-03-2006, 07:37 AM
  3. Front Wheel Drive
    By GTR Dreamer in forum Technical forums
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 06-08-2004, 01:28 AM
  4. Territory test drive
    By fpv_gtho in forum General Automotive
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 12-19-2003, 01:48 AM
  5. Will BMW 'M3' or 'M4' go four wheel drive ?
    By guyt_x in forum General Automotive
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 06-25-2003, 12:14 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •