On 17/9/98 1:55 am Mike Lishego said
> What does anyone think of a small all-wheel drive roadster? Subaru
>makes an AWD sedan (forget it's name) and they go like hell, all with
>minimal wheel slippage. (Of course, if you DO break 'em loose it's a
>different story.) The only reason I can think for automakers to stay away
>from AWD is a high price tag and more moving parts (hence more parts to
>break). FWIW, if MG came out with a roadster with AWD that could be turne=
d
>off and on by the driver at will, they might satisfy more customers. I kn=
ow
>that I'd that I'd have the AWD off and RWD on for 90% of the time. But, o=
n
>a wet mountain road, four wheels of traction would be a blast (and Mom cou=
ld
>drive it in the snow without fear!) 8-)
4x4 sports cars were big in the 80s, witness the Lancia Intergrale (one
of the best cars ever) and the Audi Quattro. Most manufacturers were
producing hot 4x4s versionsof most of their saloons =AD in the UK the Ford
Sierra and Vauxhall Cavalier, for instance.
But its turned out to be a fashion thing and there's not as much on offer
now, although there will be a 4x4 hot Golf.
IMO. 4x4 makes a car almost too good, the Intergrale has incredible
cornering ability, but where can you make use of it? Also, 4x4 increases
fuel consumption and reduces performance.
I say you can't beat RWD and, preferably midengined. But, at the end of
the day, I think it's true that the majority of drivers (and therefore
MG's customers) don't care and probably don't even understand the
difference between FWD and RWD. And when it comes to selling cars, I
guess you have to think about economics, so basing the car on an existing
platform makes sense.
Cheers,
Philip Raby
Editor, MG World
PO Box 163, Bicester OX6 3YS, UK
Tel: 01869 340061 Fax: 01869 340063 Mobile 0467 767361
www.chp.ltd.uk
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