Pelican Parts Forums - I don't get the point of AWD (hear me out)

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What's this snow stuff you are talking about?

In hot hatchbacks that are FWD in non-hot version, AWD is necessary to make sure you don't torque steer all over the place.

On the track / ax, I found AWD cars to plow more (understeer) and aschen has a very good point there.

Only awd I ever buy is 4x4 TRUCK (turn that on/off and with a low transfer case) to go on dirt roads and into the snow ...

G

Quote:

Originally Posted by T77911S (Post 8958732)

thats really not quite right,

go around a turn while braking but below max speed for the turn. you have just split that 100% grip.
a tire can only UTILIZE 100% of its grip. it can be 40%turning and 60% braking or what ever combination you choose.

That was my point, you can only have 100% of any combination, if you ask for more then one of the inputs will be compromised

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Henry (Post 8956838)

The one thing, in going back to the OP's post, is all the cars being discussed are really "wants".

You only "need" a $10K econobox and a small percentage like farmers need a P/U truck.
All cars that are more expensive than the econobox are for show, performance, more comfort, to prove your rich, bragging rights, pick-up chicks, etc.
Pure "wants", bells and whistles.
It's human nature for many people to gravitate to the car that does what they perceive will ooze there coolness. Manufacturers not only know, the exploit this fact.

That said this experiment has already been done... and the conclusion was who the fark want's to drive a Lada.

^^^ This. Except that without AWD, or 4WD, I would have been stuck hundreds of times where I live. I consider a vehicle that keeps me from getting stuck and freezing to death is a performance vehicle.

The conclusion I have drawn from this thread is that for a sports car that is
1) not driven in rain or snow
2) not tracked
3) not driven like a reckless teenage jackass on dry public roads
...AWD is nothing but useless marketing hype.

AWD seems to perfectly complement a winter beater Subaru Outback, however.

sportscars in general are useless marketing hype

Quote:

Originally Posted by sugarwood (Post 8959184)

I would not have reached those same conclusions. Above a certain power level, even in dry conditions and regardless of how you drive, AWD is a good idea.

I would encourage anybody to drive a new 991 turbo, in a straight line, at fast highway speeds, in dry weather and pay attention to how stable the car is and how effortless it is to drive. Then, play with the instrumentation and see what it is doing with the torque distribution.

JR

Quote:

Originally Posted by javadog (Post 8959218)

One doesn't even need a large HP car to notice. Around these parts of late there has been quite a bit of rain. I find the traction nanny light flashing at me when I'm getting into traffic from a stop, and my 170HP RWD Mercedes is not going to win any kind of drag race, unless I get to race Yugos or Ladas. Regualr all-season tires, and the engine has more than enough to break them loose in first gear in the wet without me working at it very hard. These are normal driving conditions here. AWD would help with this, I have no doubt.

How ironic. Lately, I've been conversing with my pop on how to turn his 94 Land Cruiser into a 2WD.