RWD vs 4WD

[MrK]

Hey guys,

I'd like to know if anyone can link me to a few reliable sources that explain why the best RWD cars will always outhandle/outrace 4WD cars. I already know this is true, but I can't seem to find proof.

Cheers

[MrK]

Anyone?

[808BMW]

Unless you need traction (snow/dirt) it is more drivetrain loss, more weight up front (understeer), less room for motor/suspension with all that extra drivetrain stuff up front, overly complicated

4wd is for off road, unless you have like 1000hp and its a traction issue (but have fun blowing up center diffs)

[Mike325]

Yep, AWD is for extream traction needs from tons of power or for snow. Not for the streets.

[Jean]

AWD is also a big advantage because you can put down power easily when you just can't do it in RWD...

[MarshallM]

At lower speeds AWD has a advantage as well. The 0-60 times possible with a awd car are very hard to beat. A F1 car doesn't have much usable traction under 80-mph. After 80 the cars take off shown by looking at the how close f1 car 0-60 times are to their 0-100 times. AWD would improve the 0-60 but widen the gap between 60-100 which would be pretty useless considering F1 doesn't spend much time under 100.

[Jean]

Plus, not all AWD systems are the same, and not all have to run in AWD mode all the time (less drag) and only kick into AWD mode when needed.

[fengshui]

Actually AWD dominates in every racing class where it is allowed. All of the top World Rally Cars use it in one form or another. And there was a time in Formula One where AWD was allowed, and guess what, teams built AWD cars to take advantage of it. Also lets not forget Audi's domination of Trans Am w/ their AWD Turbo 200 while most of the other cars were RWD. Same goes for the Audi RS6s a few years back in Speed GT racing.

So when it really comes down to it, the only reason people make statements like "I know that RWD is faster" is because they don't realize that AWD technology is specifically outlawed in a number of racing classes namely Formula One, Le Mans and ALMS, Trans Am, Indy Car, NASCAR, etc...

SPEED Touring Car and GT allow it and as I said before, the Audi RS6s did extremely well when they competed. AWD cars are normally given weight penalties to make other cars more competitive as well, so that has to be taken into account. AWD cars also tend to find much more traction in the rain, so during rain races, they will normally make their way to the top of the field.

Also remember that AWD cars can be tuned via differentials and suspension to handle very much like RWD cars with the added benefit of the front wheels receiving torque as well.

-Chris

[E30Driv3R]

because e30>all

duh!

but in all seriousness i also was wondering this

[nando]

ignorance is bliss

[T3HCH1LL5]

My answer can be found in my profile.

[e34john]

Don't think RWD wil always dominate. Its just under most conditions like the streets, you won't be able to take full advantage of the added benefits.

[JasonC]

My answer can be found in my profile.

What? That your a post whore with 12.28 post per day :p .

[WillisE30]

Actually AWD dominates in every racing class where it is allowed. All of the top World Rally Cars use it in one form or another. And there was a time in Formula One where AWD was allowed, and guess what, teams built AWD cars to take advantage of it. Also lets not forget Audi's domination of Trans Am w/ their AWD Turbo 200 while most of the other cars were RWD. Same goes for the Audi RS6s a few years back in Speed GT racing.

So when it really comes down to it, the only reason people make statements like "I know that RWD is faster" is because they don't realize that AWD technology is specifically outlawed in a number of racing classes namely Formula One, Le Mans and ALMS, Trans Am, Indy Car, NASCAR, etc...

SPEED Touring Car and GT allow it and as I said before, the Audi RS6s did extremely well when they competed. AWD cars are normally given weight penalties to make other cars more competitive as well, so that has to be taken into account. AWD cars also tend to find much more traction in the rain, so during rain races, they will normally make their way to the top of the field.

Also remember that AWD cars can be tuned via differentials and suspension to handle very much like RWD cars with the added benefit of the front wheels receiving torque as well.

-Chris

This is probably the most intelligent and well thought out post in the entire thread. The weight of AWD doesn't help handling feel but the ability put power down mid corner, and out of the corner will never be surpassed by a comparably equipped 2wd vehicle. RWD cars are generally more fun to drive because they allow you to swing the ass end of the car out more easily but a properly set up AWD car will do the same. In the end AWD is mostly better overall in racing, however a RWD vehicle is generally more fun to drive.

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

This is probably the most intelligent and well thought out post in the entire thread.

That's not too hard ;)


I'd like to play the "based on driver's skill" card.

On RWD cars, they are more forgiving to the average enthusiast, because you know that if you start oversteering, you can use throttle control to regain traction and straighten out. (AKA NEVER touch the brakes in a weight induced oversteer). And if you start understeering, you modulate the brake to move the weight forward, or use the gas to rotate the car.

In AWD, if you start understeering (which, in my mind, is easier to understeer than a RWD) you have to mash on the THROTTLE to make the front wheels start pulling the car towards the right direction again.

Of course this is my angle on it.