Why are more cars not RWD

[Jagz]

Re: What car should never be modified

I am sure there is a fundamental reason for this, probably something to do with space or whatever.

But why can't more hatches be RWD, looked at an old Golf today and the amount of room in the engine bay is huge and the first thing I thought was how a nice turboed V6 would fit in there powering the rear wheels......as it should be

 

[obi_waynne]

An interesting question Jagz, so I've moved it to a new thread!

AFAIK the reason is that FWD cars with their understeer characteristics is apparently safer than oversteer!

I wonder if RWD cars are cheaper to produce? The long driveshaft tends to "rob power" so fuel economy is generally lower but I'm not sure that is significant enough to be a reason.

 

[ronniecalcutta]

Jagz, RWD recruits a few more components like the propeller shaft, Univ, Differential & it requires more space to make room for the propeller shaft, as in a hatchback it is a bit difficult. Adding to it, Hatchbacks are lightweight & it has the load in the front, so the engine can easily pull the rear. But in RWD, which is mostly seen in comparatively heavy vehicles, the engine has to pull the heavy load in the rear. Which is why, the 4WD comes handy while moving uphill. It pushes the car with a heavy torque...

 

[HDi fun]

FWD was conceived in the interests of low weight and packaging. Basically providing more space inside for less external size. No one considered handling characteristics at the time.

Over the decades though FWD has been developed to a high degree of excellence and it takes a very good RWD car to better it.

Imagine pitching a MkII Escort against something as modest as a current Micra.

 

[geraint13]

the escort will have more fun appeal, imo.

 

[HDi fun]

I dunno. I hate the things. Live axle and cart springs they just bounce all over the place.

Subjectively though it could be fun. Just not my idea of fun.

 

[pgarner]

im certain it was brought in in most manufactures to save on costs. FWD is cheaper to produce over RWD or 4WD

 

[bigbadjoe]

Cost

 

[Jagz]

I do not like FWD..... Under steer, torque steer, no steer where I want to steer


4WD no worries but RWD is a laugh going side ways, drifting and doing doughnuts.....All you FWD boys have to do that backwards

 

[HDi fun]

They're not all (FWDs) that bad. Torque steer is a problem with some (my 406 really struggled with 320+ lbft) and I totally agree that the steering in a RWD car is much more intuitive.

But I don't think we're going to see a general return to RWD.

I don't do donuts or drive sideways anyway so that's not a problem for me.

 

[Jagz]

But I don't think we're going to see a general return to RWD.

I don't do donuts or drive sideways anyway so that's not a problem for me.

Have to agree with the first statement and I also think what has been said is correct, it is a cost thing more than anything else.

Re the second statement, best fun I had in a FWD car was in a VW Scirocco with bread crates under the rear wheels and the hand brake on, How to make your FWD behave like a RWD definately worth the grin factor :bigsmile:

 

[HDi fun]

Have to agree with the first statement and I also think what has been said is correct, it is a cost thing more than anything else.

Re the second statement, best fun I had in a FWD car was in a VW Scirocco with bread crates under the rear wheels and the hand brake on, How to make your FWD behave like a RWD definately worth the grin factor :bigsmile:

Haven't actually ever tried it but have seen a few little hatches doing something like this a few years ago in a Morrisons car park after nightfall.

But with your 500bhp+ XKR you could do this without any help from bread trays at all. Switch off the stability control, set up direct debit to Conti UK and off you go.

 

[Jagz]

Haven't actually ever tried it but have seen a few little hatches doing something like this a few years ago in a Morrisons car park after nightfall.

But with your 500bhp+ XKR you could do this without any help from bread trays at all. Switch off the stability control, set up direct debit to Conti UK and off you go.

It is actually quite a good way to learn to control a slide and you can drift, it's like a cheap version of those cars at skid pans with the castors, only problem is when you are enjoying it too much and you wear through the crates and put flat spots on your tyres :embarrest:

I need to put an LSD in mine to get full effect which I will do shortly at which point the traction control will be disconnected :blink1:

 

[Yugguy]

You must know the reasons for this mate.

First off you can mount the engine transversely, which fits more efficiently in the engine bay leaving more room for everything else, which for a modern car is a huge amount of stuff. Your old Golf has loads of room cos it doesnt have power steering, aircon, ecus, safety kit etc. Also it means that the engine bay is smaller leaving more room for crumple zones at the front and complex electronic stuff in the bulkhead.

Second you dont have to design in an intrusive transmission tunnel.

Third fwd is safer and more predictable for the average driver.

That said I entirely agree, altho these days the higher spec versions of ordinary production cars seem to be moving towards part-time 4wd rather than rwd. Also manufacturers like Ford are putting solutions in to mainstream fwd cars like their Focus ST that isolate the steering from the power input to minimise/remove torque steer.


Besides, "torque steer" is a bleat issued by blokes with weak arms who need to go here:

mtfu.org

 

[obi_waynne]

I hear that Alfaromeo are going back to RWD platforms in their new cars. Can anyone verify this?

The Toyota GT86 is a new RWD model along with sister Subaru BRZ.