FWD, RWD, or AWD - What Offers The Best Overall Performance?

Front Wheel Drive, Rear Wheel, or All Wheel Drive, the age old question which is the best way of quickly getting around a track.

 FWD fans tout predictability and overall consistency as hallmarks of the drive train. Many claim that properly set up front wheel drive vehicle is just as fast any one else.

RWD advocates on the other hand tend to focus on intangible balance and control factors of the vehicle, and the ability to place the rear drive wheels exactly at the appropriate angle to maximize power to the wheels upon acceleration. Sounds good in theory at least.

AWD zealots throw all arguments out of the window and claim that with all 4 wheels driving, maximum power and traction go to the ground at all times. While parasitic drive train drag is a factor, many times it is made up by deteriorating track conditions.

There are countless one off tests showing the strong points of all of these formats but due to rules classification they rarely meet on the track in an all out test of prowess. Great for the theories, but short on factual proof. However if you look a bit closer, the melting pot of all racing the SCCA Pro World Challenge GTS and Touring Car Series Classes do just that.

With displacement and power limited, the vehicles can be FWD, RWD, or AWD. But the most important part, is that all of the formats fall into this category under very controlled circumstances. FWD Acuras and Mazdas, RWD BMWs and Lexus, and even AWD Audi’s all tangle in a fiercely competitive racing series.

So who comes out top in a series where consistency and handling are at a paramount? Oddly enough to many, the FWD Acuras and Mazdas typically dominate the crowd, followed very closely by the teams nipping at the heels.

But surprising to me, is the drive trains mostly associated by enthusiast everywhere for true handling performance the RWD and maybe even the AWD consistently fall in the middle of the pack. Actually save for a few first place finishes last season the supposedly superior forms of propulsion are routinely regulated to being bridesmaids, not the bride.

The morale to the story for those of you wanting to know, is that we can all bicker back and forth about who is the best. But every dog has his day, and in rare classes where everyone meets, the outcomes are not always as expected.

Top Ten for 2010

GTS standings          

Pos      Car

1          Acura TSX (FWD)
2          Acura TSX (FWD)
3          Porsche Cayman S (RWD)
4          Honda Civic Si (FWD)
5          Lotus Exige S (RWD)
6          Ford Mustang FR500S (RWD)
7          Chevrolet Corvette (RWD)
8          Acura TSX (FWD)
9          Chevrolet Corvette (RWD)
10        Ford Mustang FR500S (RWD)

No AWD variants fielded.

          

TC Standings

Pos      Car

1          Scion tC (FWD)
2          Mazda RX-8 (RWD)
3          Acura TSX (FWD)
4          Volkswagen Golf GTI (FWD)
5          Scion tC (FWD)
6          Honda Civic Si (FWD)
7          Volkswagen Jetta GLI (FWD)
8          Audi A4 (AWD)
9          Volkswagen Jetta GLI (FWD)
10        Honda Civic Si (FWD)
11        Volkswagen Jetta GLI (FWD)
12        Mazda RX-8 (RWD)

 


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Agent009 - 6/27/2011 1:18:35 PM

+3 Boost

Point taken and I agree having owned all of the formats. Where you live dictates a lot in the proper choice.

But many around here think the only way around a track fast is with your butt hanging out. After a few rounds on the autocross track (both high and low speed) you quickly find out that while it looks good, it is most of the time the slowest way around the track as well.

dumpsty - 6/28/2011 11:58:36 PM

+2 Boost

Agreed. Without offering a definite answer, I think optimal overall performance depends on the size of the vehicle, weight distribution, center of gravity, and drivetrain configuration.

I drove a midsize luxury SUV and was able to some great on-road tricks of handling. I recently drove a small car and really appreciated the FWD setup as the car was much lighter. I won't consider any SUV or large truck without AWD though --- just too much weight to lug around not to have some kind of control over all the wheels.

veyron1001 - 6/27/2011 1:24:01 PM

+1 Boost

Awd

Agent009 - 6/27/2011 2:04:57 PM

+1 Boost

To me AWD is the best overall mix.

stone - 6/27/2011 3:19:36 PM

+3 Boost

I would agree AWD with a rear wheel bias is probably the best mix, but if I have a choice in good driving conditions, then I'd take RWD any day.

Joe_Limon - 6/27/2011 4:11:12 PM

+1 Boost

AWD, there is a reason why it is banned from F1.

Joe_Limon - 6/27/2011 4:41:30 PM

+3 Boost

Also, why didn't you post the GT class? The GTS and CT class don't have enough power to make traction much of an issue, meaning that a reduction in drive train losses/weight will prove to be more valuable then having improved traction with a vehicle that isn't traction limited under power.

speed123 - 6/27/2011 9:02:22 PM

-1 Boost

AWD

poot66 - 6/27/2011 11:24:48 PM

+3 Boost

I wounder how effective an intelligent all wheel drive system would be in these cars or if it will just get in the way. If anyone knows exactly why I'm curious to know. I would assume it might be weight or the technology isn't far along yet to handle those types of conditions.

Duesen - 6/28/2011 6:24:43 PM

+2 Boost

AWD, it has the ability to keep up with RWD on perfect track and road conditions, but AWD is also flexible enough to perform well in the snow, rain, dirt, and mud. This part of the reason why Subaru has kept a tradition of having AWD standard (until the FT-86 arrives).

I personally like AWD and RWD equally. Prefer RWD for the street, but love to play in the dirt as well.