AWD?

[Stanger]

What are the chances we will see an AWD option on the S550?

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[Twin Turbo]

Hopefully none

 

[stangray11]

Better question is why would you want one?

Doesn't help with cost, weight, complexity....

 

[likeaboss]

0%

 

[Stanger]

Wet, snow, and loose...if I go S550 it will be a daily driver. I live in Colorado and have plenty of slippery days.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-rev.../page-10---all-wheel-drive-sport-sedans#drive

Rear Drive vs. All-Wheel Drive: That Is the Question

For fun, we brought a rear-drive Infiniti G35 to our autocross and compared it with its all-wheel-drive G35x brother, in both wet and dry conditions with VDC yaw control switched off. We assumed the rear-driver would be quicker in the dry, given its ability to hang out its tail and help the driver tighten his line. But in the wet, we were confident the all-wheel-driver would have a tremendous advantage, hooking up better out of turns. Here's what we learned:

Well, we were wrong on one front, right on the other. Based on group average times on the dry autocross, the awd G35x proved itself faster, surprising us with its rear-biased manners and lapping nearly a second (0.9 sec.) quicker than the rear-drive G35. In the wet the G35x fared even better, 1.3 sec. quicker than the rear-drive G35.

Credit goes to the electronically controlled awd system, which maintains a rear-drive bias while endowing the car with improved stability. Don't get us wrong, the G35x still liked to hang its tail out, but the driver didn't need to be quite so careful with the throttle to keep the car's back end in check. In the rear-drive G35, the driver had to be far less aggressive with the throttle (and quicker with corrections) to post respectable times. Wet or dry, the awd G35x was far easier to drive quickly.

The G35x's center diff is responsible. From 0 to 10 mph, its electromagnetic wet clutch splits the torque 25 percent front/75 percent rear for good grip off the line; thereafter, the car is 100-percent rear drive until rear-wheel slip is sensed. Then, the diff can send as much as 50 percent of the power forward. Although other awd systems will produce different results, the G35x proves that all-wheel drive, properly applied, can give you the best of both worlds. — Andrew Bornhop

 

[Bullitt3383]

While not impossible to develop, it would be difficult given the car is a rear wheel drive car. AWD typically uses a transverse mounted engine and normally begins with a front wheel drive car.

And hopefully never. The Probe went down that path and thankfully clearer heads prevailed.

 

[mykrrrr]

While not impossible to develop, it would be difficult given the car is a rear wheel drive car. AWD typically uses a transverse mounted engine and normally begins with a front wheel drive car.

And hopefully never. The Probe went down that path and thankfully clearer heads prevailed.

Audi used a "normal" configuration on their A6's IIRC.

Also the G35x is powered by a VQ35 which is not transverse in lay out.

I hope they never even consider an AWD Mustang.

Stanger - I'd say get a beater Subaru Outback or some other 4WD/AWD vehicle w/snows for your Colorado winters and keep the S550 as your summer canyon carver.

 

[D Griff]

AWD Mustang for the lose :thumbdown:

 

[likeaboss]

Wet, snow, and loose...if I go S550 it will be a daily driver. I live in Colorado and have plenty of slippery days.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-rev.../page-10---all-wheel-drive-sport-sedans#drive

Invest in good snow tires.

 

[Stanger]

Hopefully none

But why?

Better question is why would you want one?

Doesn't help with cost, weight, complexity....

I've read that many of the rear biased AWD systems are actually better for crap drivers like me who will never see a track.

0%

Thanks - very direct.

While not impossible to develop, it would be difficult given the car is a rear wheel drive car. AWD typically uses a transverse mounted engine and normally begins with a front wheel drive car.

And hopefully never. The Probe went down that path and thankfully clearer heads prevailed.

Audi used a "normal" configuration on their A6's IIRC.

Also the G35x is powered by a VQ35 which is not transverse in lay out.

I hope they never even consider an AWD Mustang.

Stanger - I'd say get a beater Subaru Outback or some other 4WD/AWD vehicle w/snows for your Colorado winters and keep the S550 as your summer canyon carver.

I'm curious why this sentiment exists among Pony/Muscle fanatics. If Ford is going global, most of the competing coupes have an AWD system *available*. Quattro, xDrive, and 4Matic come to mind here as well as the aforementioned Nissan/Infiniti platform. Sure they don't allow the option at the top tier (RS, M, AMG), but if there is going to be an Ecoboost 4 banger (that many insisted would never happen again) why wouldn't they offer AWD as well?

I've done a fair amount of reading about AWD vs RWD, but most of it is related to track testing. I'll never hit the track, and from what I've read poor/inexperienced drivers (like me) perform better when carving canyons if they are in an AWD setup and push out of corners.

Also, while the new NSX is not going to happen for me, I'm interested in why Acura would put their SH-AWD in a supercar type model that will tip $120k if it provides an inferior experience.

AWD Mustang for the lose :thumbdown:

Thanks for the contribution.

Invest in good snow tires.

I grew up in Colorado driving my '66 Mustang with studs and bags of sand in the trunk in the winter. I could get around easily, but it certainly had an impact on the fun factor.

 

[nametoshowothers]

irregardless as too how much sense it makes in the parts of the world that have snow, I can not foresee a situation in which the mustang is AWD. Too much cost to develop. Ford does not have a RWD based AWD system for cars, all they have is systems based on FWD cars.

I use to own a BMW 330XI sedan - engine in normal configuration, manual transmission and AWD. Used it in Canada, Germany, Switzerland, France and Holland - great car, but now living in Texas would prefer RWD

 

[mykrrrr]

But why?


I've read that many of the rear biased AWD systems are actually better for crap drivers like me who will never see a track.

I'm curious why this sentiment exists among Pony/Muscle fanatics. If Ford is going global, most of the competing coupes have an AWD system *available*. Quattro, xDrive, and 4Matic come to mind here as well as the aforementioned Nissan/Infiniti platform. Sure they don't allow the option at the top tier (RS, M, AMG), but if there is going to be an Ecoboost 4 banger (that many insisted would never happen again) why wouldn't they offer AWD as well?

I've done a fair amount of reading about AWD vs RWD, but most of it is related to track testing. I'll never hit the track, and from what I've read poor/inexperienced drivers (like me) perform better when carving canyons if they are in an AWD setup and push out of corners.

Also, while the new NSX is not going to happen for me, I'm interested in why Acura would put their SH-AWD in a supercar type model that will tip $120k if it provides an inferior experience.

In the Mustang's case, I'd say you can chalk it up to tradition. Why doesn't the M3 (or now the M4 in coupe guise) run AWD? Probably tradition...

AWD doesn't provide an "inferior" experience. It offers a different experience.

 

[Diggitydog]

I live in Canada. AWD is excellent but doesn't fit the Mustang in my mind. Get a Fusion if you need to drive in inclement weather. Nothing cheapens the Mustang brand more for me than seeing the steel rims and studded tires touring around with stupid amounts of spinning and oversteer. This car shouldn't try to be all things to all people.

No AWD.

 

[Stanger]

irregardless as too how much sense it makes in the parts of the world that have snow, I can not foresee a situation in which the mustang is AWD. Too much cost to develop. Ford does not have a RWD based AWD system for cars, all they have is systems based on FWD cars.

This is logical. Thanks!

In the Mustang's case, I'd say you can chalk it up to tradition. Why doesn't the M3 (or now the M4 in coupe guise) run AWD? Probably tradition...

AWD doesn't provide an "inferior" experience. It offers a different experience.

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 live in Canada. AWD is excellent but doesn't fit the Mustang in my mind. Get a Fusion if you need to drive in inclement weather. Nothing cheapens the Mustang brand more for me than seeing the steel rims and studded tires touring around with stupid amounts of spinning and oversteer. This car shouldn't try to be all things to all people.

No AWD.

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).

For you it sounds like a brand/heritage thing. I'm cool with that.


I think I have my head wrapped around this. The Mustang has always been RWD and isn't necessarily sacrificing anything by not having AWD. And some AWD implementations aren't necessarily sacrificing anything by not being RWD. Different tastes, but for a daily driver the only thing would be possible improvement in loose situations.

What got me thinking about this was an episode last night detailing how Ferrari was adding AWD to the FF. Made me curious...

Thanks everyone for chiming in with constructive thoughts. ;)

 

[Twin Turbo]

In the Mustang's case, I'd say you can chalk it up to tradition. Why doesn't the M3 (or now the M4 in coupe guise) run AWD? Probably tradition...

AWD doesn't provide an "inferior" experience. It offers a different experience.

:clap2:

The latest 3 and 4 series BMWs are available with AWD, but the M4 won't have it. I guess part of the "tradition" is keeping it a "pure" driving experience.

I'd rather get an AWD beater to drive when it's snowing/icy out

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