Track performance - AWD vs RWD
08-11-2018, 02:56 PM
#1
Track performance - AWD vs RWD
This may be a noob question.
Thinking about this recently...all the Porsche track oriented cars (GT3, GT3 RS, GT2 RS) are RWD but most people talk about merits of AWD in cornering and putting down power especially with higher torque engines. So why does Porsche make their track oriented cars only in RWD? Please educate me. Thanks!
Thinking about this recently...all the Porsche track oriented cars (GT3, GT3 RS, GT2 RS) are RWD but most people talk about merits of AWD in cornering and putting down power especially with higher torque engines. So why does Porsche make their track oriented cars only in RWD? Please educate me. Thanks!
08-11-2018, 03:00 PM
#2
Rennlist Member
Purity of experience, weight are the primaries—and the GT2 RS makes it obvious that you can get extraordinary performance from RWD.
AWD became a thing before the advent of electronic driver aids, with Porsche feeling it was necessary past 400 hp. IIRC, 997.1 GT3 was the first RWD Porsche production 911 with more than 400 hp, and had TC. An AWD car will probably be quicker and/or safer in the hands of less experienced drivers, and in the hands of more experienced drivers in some situations. But most of them prefer and/or have more fun with RWD.
AWD became a thing before the advent of electronic driver aids, with Porsche feeling it was necessary past 400 hp. IIRC, 997.1 GT3 was the first RWD Porsche production 911 with more than 400 hp, and had TC. An AWD car will probably be quicker and/or safer in the hands of less experienced drivers, and in the hands of more experienced drivers in some situations. But most of them prefer and/or have more fun with RWD.
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melindamarie19 (10-06-2022)
08-11-2018, 03:55 PM
#3
RL Community Team
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08-11-2018, 04:14 PM
#4
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Weight penalty? Most drivers in the US and buyers options will weight more than the difference between AWD and RWD.
08-11-2018, 04:19 PM
#6
RL Community Team
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08-11-2018, 04:25 PM
#7
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08-11-2018, 04:30 PM
#8
RL Community Team
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That is not insignificant.
08-11-2018, 05:56 PM
#10
Racer
08-12-2018, 01:56 PM
#12
Burning Brakes
08-12-2018, 04:09 PM
#14
RL Community Team
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08-12-2018, 04:20 PM
#15
It's the hybrid system that makes it AWD. Don't forget that the base engine in the 918 is a NA 4.6L making only 600hp. The reason the GT2RS is faster around the 'Ring is because the hybrid system runs out of battery juice in the 918 over the course of the lap resulting in the car only being powered by the base engine. Swap that engine with the current GT2RS monster of an engine with a massive torque curve and hp, and the story changes quite a bit.
In high HP cars, I'd say more often than not, the AWD car will be faster even given the weight penalty because it can put more power down everywhere. However, faster does not equal more fun to drive.
In high HP cars, I'd say more often than not, the AWD car will be faster even given the weight penalty because it can put more power down everywhere. However, faster does not equal more fun to drive.