What considerations would you even begin with if you had to choose a car transmission (AWD vs FWD)? Would your decision be geared more towards fuel economy and efficiency, or the vehicle s ability to transport large numbers of people and goods, possibly over uneven terrains? Or a combination of all of the above. For some, a car is just a means to an end. To others, owning a big brand vehicle is something akin to a status symbol as an E Type Jaguar For Sale.
For the driving purist, a rear wheel drive (RWD) configuration will always be the one most desired. RWD is what Henry Ford had in mind when birthing the very first combustion engine propelled passenger vehicle. And its merits can still be seen, burning up the tracks in the high stakes world of Formula One Racing, for example. So why has the public been gradually shifting towards front wheel drive (FWD) and all wheel drive (AWD) vehicles instead?
The rising popularity of the FWD has been a slow and gradual one. Beginning in the nineteen fifties with the introduction of the Mini motorcar onto public roadways, the FWD began its steady ascent towards mass appeal and public acceptance as a viable alternative to a RWD setup. The AWD design was a comparatively late bloomer. Only making its first appearances in the nineteen eighties, courtesy of auto manufacturer, Audi. And under the guise of their Quattro engine.
And like Honda with their preference for making affordable FWD production vehicles, most other manufacturers also stick to one kind of transmission when designing their full range of vehicles. Which might sound like laziness on the part of their design teams, but their actual motivations are purely economical. Vehicle manufacturers have a limited amount of resources for investing into new engine designs. It makes more financial sense for them to keep expanding on the automotive traditions they ve already established, than to, almost literally, try reinventing the wheel.
But with FWDs accounting for more than 50% of all cars bought, AWDs claiming around 30% of the market, and sales of RWDs only representing a miniscule 10%, is it any wonder a world renowned RWD manufacturer like BMW would be willing to shift gears to developing models with FWD transmissions? It would ve been foolish for them to do otherwise.
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.
On the contrary, with its engine being expected to power four wheels at a time, AWDs have many more components included in their constructions. Making AWDs relatively overweight when compared to their FWD and RWD competitors. This additional weight is felt in terms of the additional fuel it burns. Which equates to higher costs at purchase and aftermarket. But with manufacturers making constant improvements to their day to day functionality and fuel efficiency, AWDs are fast becoming the vehicle of choice for a growing number of motorists.
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 purist, a rear wheel drive (RWD) configuration will always be the one most desired. RWD is what Henry Ford had in mind when birthing the very first combustion engine propelled passenger vehicle. And its merits can still be seen, burning up the tracks in the high stakes world of Formula One Racing, for example. So why has the public been gradually shifting towards front wheel drive (FWD) and all wheel drive (AWD) vehicles instead?
The rising popularity of the FWD has been a slow and gradual one. Beginning in the nineteen fifties with the introduction of the Mini motorcar onto public roadways, the FWD began its steady ascent towards mass appeal and public acceptance as a viable alternative to a RWD setup. The AWD design was a comparatively late bloomer. Only making its first appearances in the nineteen eighties, courtesy of auto manufacturer, Audi. And under the guise of their Quattro engine.
And like Honda with their preference for making affordable FWD production vehicles, most other manufacturers also stick to one kind of transmission when designing their full range of vehicles. Which might sound like laziness on the part of their design teams, but their actual motivations are purely economical. Vehicle manufacturers have a limited amount of resources for investing into new engine designs. It makes more financial sense for them to keep expanding on the automotive traditions they ve already established, than to, almost literally, try reinventing the wheel.
But with FWDs accounting for more than 50% of all cars bought, AWDs claiming around 30% of the market, and sales of RWDs only representing a miniscule 10%, is it any wonder a world renowned RWD manufacturer like BMW would be willing to shift gears to developing models with FWD transmissions? It would ve been foolish for them to do otherwise.
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.
On the contrary, with its engine being expected to power four wheels at a time, AWDs have many more components included in their constructions. Making AWDs relatively overweight when compared to their FWD and RWD competitors. This additional weight is felt in terms of the additional fuel it burns. Which equates to higher costs at purchase and aftermarket. But with manufacturers making constant improvements to their day to day functionality and fuel efficiency, AWDs are fast becoming the vehicle of choice for a growing number of motorists.
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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