AWD Corvette
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by SilverBeast
I think Zora built one at one time and he was not happy with it.
The engine sat sidewith a Toronado transaxle. Instead of the transaxle driving the left and right rear wheels, the rearward output drove a rear diff and the forward output drove a front diff.
I have no idea what he thought of it, but the idea sure was clever.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 1
From: Weymouth Dorset
Originally Posted by Nathan Plemons
Which is exactly what these people do. There is an on ramp here that is labeled 45. I can easily take it at 80 MPH. One of my friends kept telling me about his friend's really cool WRX and how it was "glued to the road" and ran so fast. Yeah, ok it clicks off 14's in the quarter and he totalled the car when he flipped it off the same ramp. I don't know how fast he was going but obviously faster than he could get away with.
You see the problem with AWD is that once you do lose control of it, there is likely no correcting for it because it doesn't behave in any manner like you would expect for FWD or RWD. JHMO the Vette is a front engine RWD car, always has been and it always should be.
You see the problem with AWD is that once you do lose control of it, there is likely no correcting for it because it doesn't behave in any manner like you would expect for FWD or RWD. JHMO the Vette is a front engine RWD car, always has been and it always should be.
the WRX is not the best 4x4 on the market and it fades into the distance compared to the Skyline ( the R 34 that is ) if you ever get a chance to drive an R34 Skyline I would highly recomend it you WILL be impressed
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
I want a Skyline R34... that would be cool. 
But the WRXs biggest problem is a much higher center of gravity... that cannot compare with the Vette.
I say the Vette compares with 911s, not WRXs.
But the WRXs biggest problem is a much higher center of gravity... that cannot compare with the Vette.
I say the Vette compares with 911s, not WRXs.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 0
From: Bristol CT
I wasn't think an AWD as a production car...i too love the RWD...I think it would just be cool to see one, maybe with an Electronic AWD button to turn it on and off....I would just think it would cewl to see on a Show or something what it would take to convert one....Was just an Idea..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 0
From: walled lake MI
i think it would be interesting to see a 4WD powertrain on our generation of Y-car platform, but i certainly would not call it a Corvette, especially if packaging restricts the engine to be a transversely mounted V6.
with the C5+ platform and its rear-mounted tranny, it might even be more interesting... midship 4WD anyone?
with the C5+ platform and its rear-mounted tranny, it might even be more interesting... midship 4WD anyone?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,400
Likes: 0
From: Oceansaide CA
AWD doesn't belong in sport cars. Whether it's track or drag, or whataver, RWD always comes out on top. You can't launch AWD worth a damn, because you arn't going to do a 4 wheel burnout. Your clutch will though. Look at the 60' times of the fastest cars in the world - both AWD and RWD. RWD is faster.
Now when you start talking dirt, mud and all that other crap, that's a different ballgame. Because once you bring up that argument, where do you stop? How about 3 foot deep mud where an Evo will sit on it's floor pans? Does this make a toyota 4x4 a better "sport car?"
Anyway, dry tarmac, RWD all the way. AWD, snow tires, chains and all that good stuff is for getting to Vons in the winter.
Now when you start talking dirt, mud and all that other crap, that's a different ballgame. Because once you bring up that argument, where do you stop? How about 3 foot deep mud where an Evo will sit on it's floor pans? Does this make a toyota 4x4 a better "sport car?"
Anyway, dry tarmac, RWD all the way. AWD, snow tires, chains and all that good stuff is for getting to Vons in the winter.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,847
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
If you follow SpeedGT at all watch the Audis, they're great out of the hole, but all that extra wieght kills them.
Look at the 3000GT, a 3600lb six cylinder car!
Look at the 3000GT, a 3600lb six cylinder car!
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Brian - try 3800 lbs!!!!! It's a pig.
Clarence - I don't agree. AWD is good for any form of vehicle. The more power you have, the advantage of AWD is tremendious for getting it down. It's one of the reasons the Evo and WRX are so quick for having under 300 hp. They get the traction where it matters.
Look at the cars that offer performance AWD systems now:
Under the various manufacturers, the following name plates are available with AWD:
Volkswagen Group
** Audi (entire line)
** Bentley (Continental GT)
** Bugatti (entire line)
** Lamborghini (entire line)
** SEAT (not 100% sure)
** VW (hit and miss across the line)
GM
** Cadillac (I think a version of the STS may get AWD)
** SAAB (maybe, not sure)
** Subaru (across the line)
Honda
** Acura (the RL)
Nissan
** Nissan (Skyline)
** Infinity (G35 Sedan)
Ford
** Ford (new 500, not very performance, but it's in a car)
** Jaguar (X-Type)
** Mazda (Mazdaspeed 6)
** Volvo (higher end cars)
DiamlerChysler
** Mitsubishi (Evo)
** Mercedes-Benz (4-matic)
** Chrysler (300C)
** Dodge (Magnum RT)
Independants
** BMW (iX)
** Porsche (911) (tho in partership with VW on many projects, Porsche is a privately held firm)
Ferrari experimented with AWD for the replacement of the 328, but it was deemed unnecessary.
Clarence - I don't agree. AWD is good for any form of vehicle. The more power you have, the advantage of AWD is tremendious for getting it down. It's one of the reasons the Evo and WRX are so quick for having under 300 hp. They get the traction where it matters.
Look at the cars that offer performance AWD systems now:
Under the various manufacturers, the following name plates are available with AWD:
Volkswagen Group
** Audi (entire line)
** Bentley (Continental GT)
** Bugatti (entire line)
** Lamborghini (entire line)
** SEAT (not 100% sure)
** VW (hit and miss across the line)
GM
** Cadillac (I think a version of the STS may get AWD)
** SAAB (maybe, not sure)
** Subaru (across the line)
Honda
** Acura (the RL)
Nissan
** Nissan (Skyline)
** Infinity (G35 Sedan)
Ford
** Ford (new 500, not very performance, but it's in a car)
** Jaguar (X-Type)
** Mazda (Mazdaspeed 6)
** Volvo (higher end cars)
DiamlerChysler
** Mitsubishi (Evo)
** Mercedes-Benz (4-matic)
** Chrysler (300C)
** Dodge (Magnum RT)
Independants
** BMW (iX)
** Porsche (911) (tho in partership with VW on many projects, Porsche is a privately held firm)
Ferrari experimented with AWD for the replacement of the 328, but it was deemed unnecessary.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 0
From: walled lake MI
going off on a tangent here, for me, the term "sports car" means very little. i like to think along the lines of "the right tool for the job."
back to 4WD, bogus, i agree with your reasoning that the Evo and WRX are bitchin fast, but i would add the factors that they have the 4WD hardware with a resonable weight gain, AND in the right places. they are also smaller cars so their dynamics are more nimble to start with. implement 4WD in a way and in a vehicle like the 3000GT - yes, you get a pig.
as far as your list is concerned, the addition of 4WD to a lot of sedans lately have probably more to do with marketing rather than performance. btw, the Caddy STS will have a 4WD option, and Saab has the 9-2X (a Saab-badged WRX). personally i think cars like the STS and 300C would've been fine without a 4WD option, especially with their availability of pretty decent stability control systems.
back to 4WD, bogus, i agree with your reasoning that the Evo and WRX are bitchin fast, but i would add the factors that they have the 4WD hardware with a resonable weight gain, AND in the right places. they are also smaller cars so their dynamics are more nimble to start with. implement 4WD in a way and in a vehicle like the 3000GT - yes, you get a pig.
as far as your list is concerned, the addition of 4WD to a lot of sedans lately have probably more to do with marketing rather than performance. btw, the Caddy STS will have a 4WD option, and Saab has the 9-2X (a Saab-badged WRX). personally i think cars like the STS and 300C would've been fine without a 4WD option, especially with their availability of pretty decent stability control systems.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by tempest
going off on a tangent here, for me, the term "sports car" means very little. i like to think along the lines of "the right tool for the job."
back to 4WD, bogus, i agree with your reasoning that the Evo and WRX are bitchin fast, but i would add the factors that they have the 4WD hardware with a resonable weight gain, AND in the right places. they are also smaller cars so their dynamics are more nimble to start with. implement 4WD in a way and in a vehicle like the 3000GT - yes, you get a pig.
as far as your list is concerned, the addition of 4WD to a lot of sedans lately have probably more to do with marketing rather than performance. btw, the Caddy STS will have a 4WD option, and Saab has the 9-2X (a Saab-badged WRX). personally i think cars like the STS and 300C would've been fine without a 4WD option, especially with their availability of pretty decent stability control systems.
back to 4WD, bogus, i agree with your reasoning that the Evo and WRX are bitchin fast, but i would add the factors that they have the 4WD hardware with a resonable weight gain, AND in the right places. they are also smaller cars so their dynamics are more nimble to start with. implement 4WD in a way and in a vehicle like the 3000GT - yes, you get a pig.
as far as your list is concerned, the addition of 4WD to a lot of sedans lately have probably more to do with marketing rather than performance. btw, the Caddy STS will have a 4WD option, and Saab has the 9-2X (a Saab-badged WRX). personally i think cars like the STS and 300C would've been fine without a 4WD option, especially with their availability of pretty decent stability control systems.
However, the AWD is also a good way to compete with SUVs. Same traction, less mass. Even tho most of the big cars weigh well over 4000 lbs!
I drove a WRX... it felt like a minivan! The driving position is so far up! Weird.
