Those cars don't weigh the same. Heavier cars with less rubber stop slower. The C&D article quoted earlier is a better comparision, because that have 4 vehicles.. two Mercedes of the same model, one 2wd and one 4wd, and 2 Audi's of the same model, one 2wd and one 4wd. You might as well compare a Mac truck to a Beetle, otherwise.

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89 Camaro = 3082 pounds
89 Subaru = 2900 pounds
Reanult = 2200 pounds

Subaru and Camaro weights almost the same, a driver's weight could make up that difference. The Subrau weighs considerably more than the Renault, yet stopped and accelerated quicker in the snow and ice. Both cars have roughly 20lbs. per HP ratio. and the Camaro actually has the edge here at 18 pounds per HP.

SO I ask what else could be the difference except the traction provided by the drivetrain?

 

The drivetrain makes absolutely no difference whatsoever in braking (except for the added weight). It only makes you go.

You're not comparing similar cars. They have different suspensions and tire sizes and other factors. To truly compare 2wd v. 4wd, you need to do it on the same model car where both drivetrains are offered, where only the drivetrain is the difference.

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i agree its not the best test, but its the closest one I have seen so far.

Here is the best test for you. Get a AWD / 4WD car or truck with a transfer case where you can shift in and out of RWD and 4WD. Drive it and tell me what is better.

 

No, that doesn't work.. because you still have the added weight of the transfer case and 4wd mechanism. 2wd stops better because it weighs less. Which wheels the drivetrain is connected to don't matter when you're stopping.. you always have brakes at all four corners.

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Yeah it does, because the vehicle weighs the same wether the four wheel drive is engaged or not. I am talking driving the same vehicle back to back with 2WD engaged once, and then again with 4WD engaged.

I think sometimes me and ryoken speak different forms of English or something because we don't communciate well! :-)

 

You're missing my point. [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

The 2wd version of the same vehicle (the one that does not have the transfer case at all) will weigh less than the 4wd version. Less mass, less inertia, it'll stop quicker.

The 4wd vehicle will have the same stopping distance as itself no matter what the transfer case is set to, because as you state, it will weigh the same whether or not 4wd is engaged.

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Yeah I'm with you on the stopping issue, its the acceleration and overall handling I'm thinking about.

 

Keep thinking the RWD will handle better in snow...
thats hilarious!
Come up to NH in the winter and we'll race, me in an AWD, you in a RWD and see who wins.
RWD can't even compete...

In all the rally races and ice races i've been in no RWD car comes close...granted it has a lot to do with the driver, but seeing that these are avid racers I would say a portion of them are good drivers.

I'm not saying its impossible, if one driver is significantly better they can win...but the average driver will go faster in an AWD...
Know this when a RWD car slides around a turn a AWD will go right through without sliding (at the same speed). AWD cars do understeer some, but not like FWD, unless you change the setup of the AWD car. If it does understeer, lift throttle briefly, steer, and stomp on the gas...yes stomp, unlike a RWD it will not oversteer drastically. Instead it will pull right through a turn.

 

THANK GOD ANOTHER VOICE OF REASON!

 

You forgot the tires. The whole point of my argument was the tires. The average AWD owner keeps the all-season tires, while the average RWD owner gets winter tires. The winter tires will have the advantage in everything except straight-line acceleration. If you put the same tires on both vehicles, then yes, AWD will do better.

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