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[Kompakt]

Pros and Cons of Front wheel drive and rear wheel drive

Despite all the progress made in car manufacturing and industry, the controversy over the front wheel and rear wheel drive still exists, and one cannot determine which one between the two drive systems is better as both have advantages and disadvantages.

In the past rear wheel drive (RWD) automobiles dominated the market but by the late 1970's, front wheel drive (FWD) vehicles began to dominate. While the majority of current passenger cars are still front wheel drive, rear wheel drive vehicles are becoming more common. For example, Infiniti has gone back to RWD on their G35 model, and Cadillac has RWD on their new CTS model. So what are the advantages and disadvantages of each drive system?

Looking at the more common FWD systems, we find that they enjoy a reduced cost and this is why manufacturers design and build the way they do. FWD systems are cheaper to manufacture and install than RWD systems. Reduced weight is another advantage. Lowering a vehicle's weight improves acceleration, braking, and fuel economy. Traction is improved by having the weight of the engine and transaxle over the drive wheels. This is a big advantage on slippery roads. A big advantage of FWD is interior space. No large bumps in the floorpan are required to accommodate mechanical parts. Look at current Honda Civics, and you will find great rear seat room in a small vehicle because of a flat floor pan.

The disadvantages of FWD are mainly the decrease in vehicle handling ability. With more weight over the front of the automobile, the back end tends to become very light. Rear tire traction is decreased and the car may swap ends on icy roads easier. Another disadvantage is the load placed on the front tires. The tires have only a finite amount of grip, so using some of it for acceleration must decrease it in other areas. The rear tires have very little load on them and are basically only along for the ride.

All the disadvantages of FWD systems are advantages of RWD vehicles. With some of the mechanical parts removed from the front and installed at the rear, vehicle balance and handling are much improved. Using the rear tires for acceleration traction takes the load off the front, so drivers accelerating out of a corner have much more lateral grip. RWD is used on all the world's fastest road course race cars and many performance production vehicles for this reason. Repair costs are another advantage of RWD systems. Although costs vary greatly by make and model, if you have transmission problems with a RWD vehicle, the cost of differential repair is not required, as it might be on a FWD system.

Disadvantages of RWD are higher assembly and production costs, more parts to have problems with, and less interior room in the vehicle. Traction has always been a problem with RWD vehicles, because of the lower rear vehicle weight over the drive wheels, but modern electronics has changed that. Traction control and vehicle stability systems enable RWD cars to rival FWD vehicles on slippery surfaces. Improved tire designs have also helped.

[JP-Montoya]

Thank you Ammo for those precious informations,

this is why I prefer the 4WD

[SpiritofSenna]

Heres the greatest all-wheel drive car ever in my opinion...

The Audi Sport Quattro S1 EVO







General specifications

Country of origin Germany
Years of production 1985 - 1986
Numbers built N/A
Body design N/A
Weight 1200 kilo / 2645.5 lbs
Drivetrain
Engine Straight 5
Engine Location Front , longitudinally mounted
Displacement 2.110 liter / 128.8 cu in
Valvetrain 2 valves / cylinder, DOHC
Fuel feed Fuel injection
Aspiration KKK Turbo
Gearbox 6 speed Sequential
Drive Quattro All wheel drive
Performance figures
Power 500 bhp / 373 KW @ 7500 rpm
Torque 449 Nm / 331 ft lbs @ 5500 rpm
BHP/Liter 237 bhp / liter
Power to weight ratio 0.42 bhp / kg
Top Speed N/A
0-60 mph Acceleration 3.6 s

And here's a little demonstration of how to drive this Group-B rally beast with Walter Rohrl

http://www.audi-quattro.at/videos.htm

(If I'm right this should have a little bit of left foot braking too - not for the sunday drivers!)



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[Kompakt]

yes, the ultimate rally car indeed!

[JP-Montoya]

fully agree with you,

[Beemeer]

That car made me fall in love with rallies.No other car has come close,in my mind ,to have that spirit and showman as the mighty Audi

[JP-Montoya]

There is another car which has been close to the Audi, the Lancia Delata HF Intergrale.

[Kompakt]

Another favorite JP. How about making a small history profile of these two rally cars?

[JP-Montoya]

Nice idea Ammo, I think bro Beemeer did already start something with the Audi,

[Jaouhar]

nice cars