FWD vs RWD

[Tumbo]

I have a question:

* Two cars
* One FWD, one RWD
* Exact the same HP, engine, weight
* Speed 100 km/h

They floor it.
Which is the faster one?

[bum-man]

You are a bit vague with your question. None-the-less my money would probably be on the RWD vehicle.

[Just_me]

My money on the RWD car.

A 4Wd is in most cases a slower car than a RWd up 200km/h. A swedish carmag drove Carrera with RWd and the 4 S version. The version with 4wd was a little bit faster to 100km/h than the RWD Carrera, at the time they reach 200km/h the 4 S version was almsot 3 seconds slower than the RWD Carrera.

[Nicholai_AMG]

The version with 4wd was a little bit faster to 100km/h than the RWD Carrera

for sure the grip at the start with 4wd is better..


I don't know what would I choose....for my region (which is a valley with a lot of snow in winter and mountain's roads) the 4wd 'd be very usefull!

but the rwd for driftin' is fun as hell

[bum-man]

Does he mean Front Wheel Drive or All Wheel Drive?

[siko]

If you have to add two more suppositions:
* Same tyres
* Optimal weight distribution for each platform (ie 50/50 for RWD)

... then for sure RWD.

[ojis]

Depends how much power those cars have. Low power FWD would propably win because it has less drivetrain loss. But when those cars break a certain limit in power, RWD will win because it has more traction.

[The Artist]

i belive Rwd.. but i dont know why..haha

[Snake Vargas]

Comparing a Carrera with a C4S isn't quite the same; despite the power difference there is still a weight difference. That's probably one of the closest comparisons you can make in real life, but not quite the same as Audiholic's hypothetical situation.

That said, I thought he meant Front vs. Rear Wheel Drive. Plus, you should add that they have equal transmission and differential gearing - that's probably as important a factor as any.

In that case, it doesn't have to be a total loss - in cars with modest weight and modest power and some sort of half-competent engineering, I imagine the FWD car should be equal with the RWD car, unless you count that perhaps the drive shaft of the RWD car means that its driveline has more inertia to overcome.. (which is another reason why even 4WD cars of equal weight accelerate more slowly than RWD cars, if they weren't threatening traction at the drive wheels in the first place) but I think that's getting pretty esoteric.

Anyhow, once you begin to get heavier cars or more powerful engines, then RWD would have an advantage in good conditions. Don't mention anything about snow or ice, though..

[Just_me]

Originally Posted by Snake Vargas

Comparing a Carrera with a C4S isn't quite the same; despite the power difference there is still a weight difference. That's probably one of the closest comparisons you can make in real life, but not quite the same as Audiholic's hypothetical situation.

I was using an example and I heard it for years now that 4WD steal power in high speeds cause of weightreasons . 4S weigh 55kg more compared to S. Also it had nothing to with Audiholic first post just me starting to talk about something else.

4S did 0-200 in 18.2 sec and S did it in 16,5 sec.