FWD 'vs' RWD
#83
It's all personal preference, if you want to drift round corners then you will prefer RWD but thats about the only thing you can't get from a FWD, the rest is down to what suits you.
#87
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FWD exists only for cheapness & space saving, other than that it is a huge compromise. Don't get me wrong, there are some great FWD cars about, and in terms of ultimate speed there probably isn't a whole lot in it any more, but rear wheel drive is still the purest solution for a drivers car.
Name a FWD super car?
#88
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So FWD cars are better on fuel than a RWD car? So if we had the exact same car, lets say a 2.0 16v Mondeo. So this car is FWD yet if it was RWD the fuel economy would drop?
Also Phil RS said.....You get more transmission losses with rwd cars Sorry for sounding a bit thick here but what does that mean?
Also Phil RS said.....You get more transmission losses with rwd cars Sorry for sounding a bit thick here but what does that mean?
In a F/R configuration this would be true,as the name suggests, it means how much power is lost in transmitting the power from the engine via the transmission to the driven wheels (As you always will have a loss) this is why you have power measured at the wheels and at the flywheel (Engine)
If you think of the physics the power is transmitted via the gearbox to the prop, diff etc rather than straight to the front wheels via a transaxle as in a F/F configuration so it will be slightly more efficient .
No lol, the reason for the introduction of the Mondeo was to bring the "Family Ford" upto speed technologically, 16V engines and multilink suspension etc, the reason it was FWD was just because the way things were going and the running gear would only permit then to do so, in fact the Sierra didn't follow the crowd in this respect (Thankfully) but then they were merely 'Cortina's in disguise' in essence, but that's another story.
Imo there is very little difference in fuel economy (Excluding 4x4 of course).
Martin
#89
Happily retired
I have both. A Pug 107, its cute, red & does 50mpg & if pushed would reach the speed limit. My Cossie aint cute, white does 12mpg & if pushed a huge adrenalin rush.
One is a proper car for real Petrolheads that know how to handle a car the other is fwd & is like them all for cissy's .
One is a proper car for real Petrolheads that know how to handle a car the other is fwd & is like them all for cissy's .
#91
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The other side of this I believe is about power and control lets say you have 500 bhp in a FWD car its going to be like fighting a bear with the steering pulling all over the place but with 500bhp in RWD the steering stays light and you balance the car between throttle and steerage so more controled maybe thats why big power sports car are still RWD ? hard to say as both my RWD an FWD cars have had only about 200+ bhp
#92
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I agree slightly with the above but i also disagree.. I dont have to fight my mk2 with over 550nm of torque it has a little grunt but the steering is still easy to control.
I just disregard rods comments
I just disregard rods comments
#93
I read the title and imagined the replies..
This was one I thought might come on page two, got it in early!
I've driven a mk2 RS and been driven in one, nice... Until it rains. Gay wheel drive means wheel spin, traction kicking in, blah, blah.
PMSL
That's how I see it.
Anyway. GWD or RWD? Neither! 4WD is the answer! My scoob will pull me out a corner wet or dry and get me about in the snow!
I've driven a mk2 RS and been driven in one, nice... Until it rains. Gay wheel drive means wheel spin, traction kicking in, blah, blah.
That's how I see it.
Anyway. GWD or RWD? Neither! 4WD is the answer! My scoob will pull me out a corner wet or dry and get me about in the snow!
#94
Why do all people with 4WD bring the rain up who actually launches the car out in the rain jesus, its like me saying once rolling in a line you're going to get mullered.
#96
I don't launch my car, but I do sometimes like to accelerate as much as the engine will give in 1st or 2nd. The focus rs won't do that in third in the rain power is nothing without control, what's the sense in having 300bhp through the front wheels if it's restricted in 1st and 2nd.
I can come off a roundabout in 2nd in the wet and my car will dig in and Accelerate how I want.
I'm only pi55ing about anyway, I don't mind fwd just think it has it's limits.. Sadly that's only about 150bhp
#97
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I never bring up the rain, for me AWD is about the corner speeds I can hit and exiting out of them quickly.
#98
is this track or on the roads? i can't think of any corners personally where i drop below 2nd gear and even then theres no fuss about getting the power down, i know im only 300bhp and FWD but what sort of power are we talking about here before it becomes a problem?
#99
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Im not a hater when it comes to FWD, for the daily I drive between a Mk4 Golf Gti & MK5 Golf Gti, which both do there job well. The modern stuff has come along in handling and grip.
One Fwd car I just never understood was mk1 Focus RS, wanted to like it, but the torque steer was horrible for a standard car.
#100
Maybe because when we were kids we too had fwd, so we remember the fruitless wheel spin and ploughing on out the bends
I don't launch my car, but I do sometimes like to accelerate as much as the engine will give in 1st or 2nd. The focus rs won't do that in third in the rain power is nothing without control, what's the sense in having 300bhp through the front wheels if it's restricted in 1st and 2nd.
I can come off a roundabout in 2nd in the wet and my car will dig in and Accelerate how I want.
I'm only pi55ing about anyway, I don't mind fwd just think it has it's limits.. Sadly that's only about 150bhp
I don't launch my car, but I do sometimes like to accelerate as much as the engine will give in 1st or 2nd. The focus rs won't do that in third in the rain power is nothing without control, what's the sense in having 300bhp through the front wheels if it's restricted in 1st and 2nd.
I can come off a roundabout in 2nd in the wet and my car will dig in and Accelerate how I want.
I'm only pi55ing about anyway, I don't mind fwd just think it has it's limits.. Sadly that's only about 150bhp
If you think its 150bhp for FWD then im guessing you haven't driven a decent FWD in quite a while, i can't speak for everyone but mine seems ok in 1st and 2nd never an issue with the power, of course if i drive like a plonk with a lead foot in the rain then im sure i could just exit every corner lighting the wheels up.
#101
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Im not a hater when it comes to FWD, for the daily I drive between a Mk4 Golf Gti & MK5 Golf Gti, which both do there job well. The modern stuff has come along in handling and grip.
One Fwd car I just never understood was mk1 Focus RS, wanted to like it, but the torque steer was horrible for a standard car.
Im not a hater when it comes to FWD, for the daily I drive between a Mk4 Golf Gti & MK5 Golf Gti, which both do there job well. The modern stuff has come along in handling and grip.
One Fwd car I just never understood was mk1 Focus RS, wanted to like it, but the torque steer was horrible for a standard car.
Grow some fore arms then and when it stops enjoy it..!...
I know what you saying mate... I love the mk1 it's raw like a Cossie'd RST...
#102
Track
Im not a hater when it comes to FWD, for the daily I drive between a Mk4 Golf Gti & MK5 Golf Gti, which both do there job well. The modern stuff has come along in handling and grip.
One Fwd car I just never understood was mk1 Focus RS, wanted to like it, but the torque steer was horrible for a standard car.
Im not a hater when it comes to FWD, for the daily I drive between a Mk4 Golf Gti & MK5 Golf Gti, which both do there job well. The modern stuff has come along in handling and grip.
One Fwd car I just never understood was mk1 Focus RS, wanted to like it, but the torque steer was horrible for a standard car.
#103
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If you think its 150bhp for FWD then im guessing you haven't driven a decent FWD in quite a while, i can't speak for everyone but mine seems ok in 1st and 2nd never an issue with the power, of course if i drive like a plonk with a lead foot in the rain then im sure i could just exit every corner lighting the wheels up.
Your car drove and delivered the power fantastic when I took you down the lanes in it ... Deffo a good contender not to be sniffed at in fwd ....
#105
#106
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my 400bhp 386lbft 3dr was fucking lethal in the wet lol, tickle the throttle and it tried to swap ends!!
int he dry tho it was quite entertaining and once it got to 6krpm again the rear end was coming past the drivers window lol
my daily is a ford puma... tbh it handles very well and the brake upgrade is a must, but its fucking boring.
next car i plan on buying is an impreza, i need 4 doors and quick. awd is a bonus.
in future i think ill plan to buy rwd or 4x4/awd mostly for that odd occasion you get to fuck about.
int he dry tho it was quite entertaining and once it got to 6krpm again the rear end was coming past the drivers window lol
my daily is a ford puma... tbh it handles very well and the brake upgrade is a must, but its fucking boring.
next car i plan on buying is an impreza, i need 4 doors and quick. awd is a bonus.
in future i think ill plan to buy rwd or 4x4/awd mostly for that odd occasion you get to fuck about.
#107
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, Im to Lazy to fight steering wheels lol, To be honest MK1 Focus Rs is a giggle made me feel young again like driving a RS Turbo but so much better , but just could not live with the torque steer
For me when I consider a big BHP car I only consider AWD or RWD, both suit my driving style better.
Agree with you there, imo mainly the driver who done justice in that megane, I know I could never match those times in a FWD car.
Last edited by Robs Frst; 10-06-2012 at 09:23 PM.
#108
If you think its 150bhp for FWD then im guessing you haven't driven a decent FWD in quite a while, i can't speak for everyone but mine seems ok in 1st and 2nd never an issue with the power, of course if i drive like a plonk with a lead foot in the rain then im sure i could just exit every corner lighting the wheels up.
I've owned and/or driven lots of fwd turbo cars.
I'm only messing anyway, they have their place, but to me they are a compromise which is mainly because of economics in production proccess.
Last edited by jameswrx; 10-06-2012 at 09:28 PM.
#110
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There are fucking loads!
#112
............
It's not easy but it's a very useful technique to master, you have to feel the balance and it's easy to bring the back round to help during a corner.
Much harder than just stepping on the loud pedal to achieve the same result
#113
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FWD as has been mentioned is about compact packaging and improved economy (less drivetrain losses, less weight etc)
If you have a racing series and give people the choice (without weight penalties etc) then the winning cars will be 4wd and then rwd generally speaking.
FWD is a compromise without a doubt, but its one that a lot of manufacturers have learned to work very well with, clio/saxo etc
If you have a racing series and give people the choice (without weight penalties etc) then the winning cars will be 4wd and then rwd generally speaking.
FWD is a compromise without a doubt, but its one that a lot of manufacturers have learned to work very well with, clio/saxo etc
#114
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will have to see all the "MAN's" car's on track ar RS COMBE day in july against my "GAY, BOY" car
i've had all 3 types, and my 205 pedals around all tracks (with me driving) fast than the RWD and 4WD car's i've had and the FWD is the lowest powered one too
rwd is fun, but i prefer it safe and control able
i've had all 3 types, and my 205 pedals around all tracks (with me driving) fast than the RWD and 4WD car's i've had and the FWD is the lowest powered one too
rwd is fun, but i prefer it safe and control able
#115
Focus RS 0268
you have to be a better driver to drive a RWD car on its limits as like said its soo much easier to correct understeer rather than over steer, as said FWD is mainly used to keep production costs down plus less weight so the car will be more efficent....
I think my next car will be RWD though as it will be more fun to drive!
I think my next car will be RWD though as it will be more fun to drive!
#116
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Bugatti Veyron is 4wd
Latest Ferrari is also 4wd...
#117
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So you have never learned about left foot braking in a fwd car then by the sounds of it.
It's not easy but it's a very useful technique to master, you have to feel the balance and it's easy to bring the back round to help during a corner.
Much harder than just stepping on the loud pedal to achieve the same result
It's not easy but it's a very useful technique to master, you have to feel the balance and it's easy to bring the back round to help during a corner.
Much harder than just stepping on the loud pedal to achieve the same result