AWD?

[Stanger]

I guess part of the "tradition" is keeping it a "pure" driving experience.

This is what I'm trying to understand. Can someone define how RWD provides a more "pure" driving experience vs AWD?

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[SStormtrooPer]

This is logical. Thanks!



Ok, so it isn't necessarily that AWD would be "worse", but just may not suit the taste of the manufacturer/engineer/driver. Got it.



I have two SUVs for inclement weather (Touareg & MDX). As I probably wouldn't go all out with a GT500/GT350/etc, I'm shopping against numerous coupes that do have AWD, albeit not in the blown out models (M/RS/AMG/etc).

Where in CO do you live?

You know as well as I do, while we get plenty of snow, it is around for what, 2 days? Unless of course you are up in the Mountains.

In the foothills, there are really only 10 days a year where snow would be a problem.

And you have two SUVs anyways -- you are good. And you don't have to have AWD even if you are not a great driver. You will learn. I think AWD gives a false sense of security, and once you do become better, RWD will be much more enjoyable.

 

[Tony Alonso]

Unlikely, given the sales volumes of this car currently. I don't see how the platform would be modified without a major reworking at this point, especially since the independent rear suspension was the BIG change. Also, the weight penalty would be another consideration, which is counter to the slimming down that has been forecasted.

 

[K.Lysius]

This is what I'm trying to understand. Can someone define how RWD provides a more "pure" driving experience vs AWD?

The separation of the the power (provided by rear wheels) and steering (provided by front wheels) allows for a 'purer' driving experience where the two aren't messing with each other and mucking up the driving experience.

Don't get me wrong, AWD has its advantages of course (bad weather, launching, putting down a lot of power to the ground effectively), but if you were just to compare RWD vs AWD, most would agree that RWD provides the purer driving experience.

 

[Stanger]

Where in CO do you live?

You know as well as I do, while we get plenty of snow, it is around for what, 2 days? Unless of course you are up in the Mountains.

In the foothills, there are really only 10 days a year where snow would be a problem.

And you have two SUVs anyways -- you are good. And you don't have to have AWD even if you are not a great driver. You will learn. I think AWD gives a false sense of security, and once you do become better, RWD will be much more enjoyable.

I'm in the foothills and we normally get about twice the accumulation of the metro area. The house faces North (no sun melt in the front/drive), and our driveway has a section of 30 degree incline - previous FWD cars had issues in slick conditions.

My issue is convincing the wife to keep another car around that will only be driven 10 days a year. It's a space issue - two car garage also means that I'd be scraping windows on snow days :shocked:. :help:

Unlikely, given the sales volumes of this car currently. I don't see how the platform would be modified without a major reworking at this point, especially since the independent rear suspension was the BIG change. Also, the weight penalty would be another consideration, which is counter to the slimming down that has been forecasted.

This makes a lot of sense to me regarding why it's definitely not happening now. Great points.

The separation of the the power (provided by rear wheels) and steering (provided by front wheels) allows for a 'purer' driving experience where the two aren't messing with each other and mucking up the driving experience.

Don't get me wrong, AWD has its advantages of course (bad weather, launching, putting down a lot of power to the ground effectively), but if you were just to compare RWD vs AWD, most would agree that RWD provides the purer driving experience.

This is what I was looking for! I came across a similar explanation earlier today while researching. The next question is does this separation affect daily driving, or only when a car is pushed to its limits?

 

[crysalis_01]

Here's a possiblity, MKR. With Lincoln most likely getting use of S550 (in a longer wheelbase variant) and that company's current leaning toward FWD and AWD drivetrains perhaps we will see this very car, albeit behind a Lincoln Star instead of a running horse. Oh, and with 4 doors instead of 2.

 

[Twin Turbo]

This is what I'm trying to understand. Can someone define how RWD provides a more "pure" driving experience vs AWD?

Any power going through the front wheels will have an impact on the feel of the steering, so RWD cars are said to be "purer".

Having said that, technology has developed to the point it's often difficult to tell RWD from FWD from AWD unless you are driving at a speed towards the limit of the cars handling capabilities.

AWD hardware will also add weight, which will impact the driving experience.

 

[mykrrrr]

Here's a possiblity, MKR. With Lincoln most likely getting use of S550 (in a longer wheelbase variant) and that company's current leaning toward FWD and AWD drivetrains perhaps we will see this very car, albeit behind a Lincoln Star instead of a running horse. Oh, and with 4 doors instead of 2.

I really hope something like this happens. It'd be a smart thing to do for development costs of the platform and image boost for Lincoln.

Make it a 3 Series competitor. The v6 powered cars can take on the standard 3 series variants and the v8 version could be the M3 Sedan fighter.

 

[Retrostang]

Possibly on the EcoBoost version? It seems to be a requirement, at least on the 3.5.

 

[FStephenMasek]

Wet, snow, and loose....

I lived the first 29 years of my life in St. Louis, then 3 years in Washington DC. How do you think my 1970 AMC AMX and 1979 Trans Am did in snow and so forth? Good! Why? Limited slip differentials, and studded snow tires on different wheels for winter. When traffic was stopped on 40 in St. Louis one snowy Winter day and I needed to get to college, I drove the AMX up the snow-covered grass area between the freeway and the service road, onto the service road, and around the traffic mess. I've seen drivers too cheap or ignorant to have a limited slip and proper tires pin one wheel until the tire blew up. if you look in my introduction posting, you will see I've owned a number of front wheel drive cars, but have no interest in ever owning another.

 

[Overboost]

Zero. Save it for Lincoln if they are even considering it.

If you're scared of driving a Mustang in winter, I suggest you pony up for a set of winter tires and spare wheels, find a parking lot, and have at it. You'll learn the limits of the car, what it can/can't do, and how easy it is to drive. My 3.73 equipped GT with Blizzak's and TCS on handles snow just fine.

 

[design1stcode2nd]

I'd love the option of a rear biased AWD Mustang but you'd never see it. They could always do a 2 door Fusion or bring back the Probe and make it AWD if they wanted.

If Ford offered a turbo 4, TT V6 or V8 with AWD at or below current GT weight they would get a number of buyers from the STI/EVO/Golf R crowd.

 

[Wes B.]

I really hope an AWD version of the Mustang never surfaces...unless the Mustang suddenly becomes mid-engined.

 

[sknapp302]

Sorry my first post on this forum is somewhat (-) but:

I cant believe the narrow mindedness of some people claiming to be be "purists" of the Mustang culture. I have owned Mustangs non stop for 20 straight years now. Why are people are so repulsed by the idea they won't even consider an optional version? Not saying every Mustang should be equipped with AWD. Better driving experience with 2WD? No, this is purely subjective. Most RWD sports cars are struggling to get 0-60 times in the high 3 second range these days. Good quarter mile performance of any of these ultra performance RWD cars requires a "hero" run to save face and not be embarrassed at the track. I can tell you from experience it sucks to have your performance be limited by traction. Buy a set of slick when I want performance in a straight line? Buy a set of studded snow tires for the snow? Buy a full suspension package to get my car to transfer weight, and not wheel hop. How about an all around solution like AWD, wow such a horrible concept. Meanwhile the real sports cars of today are reaching unprecedented performance gains with the use of AWD. I can't even imagine how nuts a 662 HP AWD mustang would be as a daily driver. Absolutely it would be a good option for some people but not everyone. More people would come around after they got spanked a couple of times. :-) Build it and they will come... around... eventually... Done ranting.

 

[mtb4life]

I honestly think that if Ford can make a rwd based awd system with not to much weight gain it would be a hit in colder parts of the country...

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