With many drivers almost religiously defending their choice in vehicle transmission, it s become something of a raging debate in automotive circles. But has any particular drivetrain actually proven to be functionally superior to the others, or is the typical road user merely going on hearsay? Do people rely on hard facts when having to choose a car as E Type Jaguar For Sale?
For the driving world purists, it s all about torque and who can get to the end of a quarter mile dash with enough time to spare to get out of their car, light a cigarette, and strike a pose before the other racers arrive. James Dean style. But clearly the need for speed has fast and furiously become the least motivating factor when purchasing a vehicle in recent years. The modest FWD has developed a growing, loyal following that seems unlikely to switch allegiances any time soon.
Ever since Mini made FWD commonplace in the 1950s, and Audi Quattro brought attention to AWD in the 1980s, the popularity of these alternatives to RWD automobiles have been gaining steady momentum in the driving public s eye. To the extent that even manufacturers of exclusively RWD automobiles, like BMW, have begun including FWD and AWD alternatives, branded as xDrive by BMW, to their roster.
With it being the easiest to develop, FWD motorcars also tend to come with the lowest price tags. Making them easier to sell than the average gas guzzling four wheel drive. Which begs the question of why more auto manufacturers don t simply switch over to making front wheel drive vehicles as well. It s because manufacturers fear the gamble of investing their limited development budgets into something they haven t tried and tested themselves. It s far safer to simply stick to what they know.
So, it seemed like nothing more than a leap of faith when a traditionally rear wheel drive manufacturer, like BMW, decided to hop onto the FWD bandwagon as well. While, on the surface, appearing to be a risky proposition, they obviously did their homework and realized that FWD vehicles make up more than half of all the cars sold every year. With RWDs claiming a mere twelve percent of the overall market share.
In addition to cost effectiveness, it seems efficiency is the average road user s primary concern when choosing a car for day to day usage. FWDs are cheaper to develop and engineer. Hence, the prevalence of that format on most entry level automobiles. Their smaller size also makes them lighter and, therefore, more fuel efficient than other drivetrain systems.
In contrast, AWDs require many more automotive components to get the engine s energy channelled to all four wheels at once. This makes AWD vehicles heavier relative to their FWD and RWD cousins. Translating to a bigger price tag at purchase, and less mileage being syphoned from every gas tank. But with all wheel drive configurations becoming more commonplace, their performance advantages have continued to grow. In addition, their reductions in premiums has had even the most budget conscious consumers revving up to consider an AWD as their day to day vehicle of choice.
Beyond personal preference, choosing the best transmission mostly boils down to your daily traveling habits and the climate of the region you currently inhabit. Simply put, RWDs have their weight distribution centred on the front of the vehicle, making their rears more prone to spinning out under wet conditions. Whereas, FWD s have proven more stable under conditions where tyre grip might be brought into question, AWD s are considered the most stable of all with their onboard traction controls capable of recruiting more tyres for ensuring their sure footing under any conditions.
For the driving world purists, it s all about torque and who can get to the end of a quarter mile dash with enough time to spare to get out of their car, light a cigarette, and strike a pose before the other racers arrive. James Dean style. But clearly the need for speed has fast and furiously become the least motivating factor when purchasing a vehicle in recent years. The modest FWD has developed a growing, loyal following that seems unlikely to switch allegiances any time soon.
Ever since Mini made FWD commonplace in the 1950s, and Audi Quattro brought attention to AWD in the 1980s, the popularity of these alternatives to RWD automobiles have been gaining steady momentum in the driving public s eye. To the extent that even manufacturers of exclusively RWD automobiles, like BMW, have begun including FWD and AWD alternatives, branded as xDrive by BMW, to their roster.
With it being the easiest to develop, FWD motorcars also tend to come with the lowest price tags. Making them easier to sell than the average gas guzzling four wheel drive. Which begs the question of why more auto manufacturers don t simply switch over to making front wheel drive vehicles as well. It s because manufacturers fear the gamble of investing their limited development budgets into something they haven t tried and tested themselves. It s far safer to simply stick to what they know.
So, it seemed like nothing more than a leap of faith when a traditionally rear wheel drive manufacturer, like BMW, decided to hop onto the FWD bandwagon as well. While, on the surface, appearing to be a risky proposition, they obviously did their homework and realized that FWD vehicles make up more than half of all the cars sold every year. With RWDs claiming a mere twelve percent of the overall market share.
In addition to cost effectiveness, it seems efficiency is the average road user s primary concern when choosing a car for day to day usage. FWDs are cheaper to develop and engineer. Hence, the prevalence of that format on most entry level automobiles. Their smaller size also makes them lighter and, therefore, more fuel efficient than other drivetrain systems.
In contrast, AWDs require many more automotive components to get the engine s energy channelled to all four wheels at once. This makes AWD vehicles heavier relative to their FWD and RWD cousins. Translating to a bigger price tag at purchase, and less mileage being syphoned from every gas tank. But with all wheel drive configurations becoming more commonplace, their performance advantages have continued to grow. In addition, their reductions in premiums has had even the most budget conscious consumers revving up to consider an AWD as their day to day vehicle of choice.
Beyond personal preference, choosing the best transmission mostly boils down to your daily traveling habits and the climate of the region you currently inhabit. Simply put, RWDs have their weight distribution centred on the front of the vehicle, making their rears more prone to spinning out under wet conditions. Whereas, FWD s have proven more stable under conditions where tyre grip might be brought into question, AWD s are considered the most stable of all with their onboard traction controls capable of recruiting more tyres for ensuring their sure footing under any conditions.
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