2WD vs 4WD
#61
Rennlist Member
Just being snarky...C2 is my 911. The T4 is the VW Tiguan (Consumer Reports hates it) I just picked up for the crap days and recycling center duty. I get the attraction of an AWD 911, would love to have one. Except I kind of get a little queasy thinking about driving the 911 on really bad weather days. We live in a hilly area, and AWD is a must on snowy days, so I keep an eye on the weather in the winter and use the little SUV or the Cayenne when snow is coming. Turns out the two together cost about the same as a C4. As much as I love the 911, it's a stretch to have as your only car.
#62
Burning Brakes
None of what you are saying matters. The bottom line is the AWD car is going to crush the RWD car in rain or snow. If you took any classes at all in physics or engineering it would be crystal clear. I have driven over 100 cars in all kinds of conditions and there is no comparing a great AWD car to a RWD car of any type, so long as they are higher end. You can point a shoot in an AWD car in rain. You can't do that with a RWD car. Everyone wants to pretend their car is the best because they spent over $100K on it, but the bottom line is AWD is superior in adverse conditions. You cannot argue against it really. Now is RWD enough? Sure, but just don't drive the same as you would in an AWD car in heavy rain.
But the original question in this thread was "Is the 911 C2 safe to drive in the rain?" And the obvious answer is YES.
#63
Rennlist Member
gg1, this is true only as far as fastest lap time. AWD helps mostly/only with acceleration (as classes in physics and engineering should demonstrate). During steady-state cornering, transitional handling, and especially braking AWD does little to nothing. That is where basic chassis design, weight balance, and even tires determine car performance. Going back to the OP's question about safety, AWD might help some drivers under some conditions, but it is not substantially "safer".
But it will also help with track speed and control, and twisty road control, since you accelerate out of corners and, as you correctly note, "AWD helps mostly/only with acceleration".
#64
Burning Brakes
AWD is going to be safer in conditions with less traction. No, it won't help you stop better, but it will help with grip in many other situations where having only two drive wheels might fall short. Is that substantial? Probably not.
But it will also help with track speed and control, and twisty road control, since you accelerate out of corners and, as you correctly note, "AWD helps mostly/only with acceleration".
But it will also help with track speed and control, and twisty road control, since you accelerate out of corners and, as you correctly note, "AWD helps mostly/only with acceleration".
And, of course, we should remember that the 911 is equipped with an excellent stability control system (PSM), which would step in to arrest clumsy-throttle-induced oversteer with both RWD and AWD.
And under dry conditions at the track, I doubt that it provides any more beneficial effect than placing a couple of 50-pound sacks of manure in your luggage compartment. After all, I'm not aware that Porsche posts faster Nurburgring times with AWD Carreras.
Certainly, If you drive your 911 in the winter and face many steep grades, AWD will make your life easier. Same goes for track days int he pouring rain. And if you simply like the extra traction that it provides, be my guest.
But the notion that it is necessary in everyday driving for most 911 drivers--even in rain and snow--is ludicrous.
#67
Rennlist Member
I drive a 4wd 911. My last 911 was RWD. I prefer the feel and lighter weight of RWD (playfulness?) and the traction advantages of AWD. The traction performance improvement is much more pronounced in adverse weather and I like to drive my 911 on the nice days of winter. The newer car is safer (991 vs 997) but in terms of adverse weather safety, the condition and compound of the tires plays a *much* larger role than anything else.
To to say AWD or RWD is unequivocally better is brash. That implies a lot of value judgments that are personal rather than universal.
To to say AWD or RWD is unequivocally better is brash. That implies a lot of value judgments that are personal rather than universal.
#68
Rennlist Member
#69
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#70
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If AWD was so magically better in every condition then the Porsche RSR and other race cars would use AWD. It does obviously have some advantages in inclement weather for accelerating... The rear diffs are so good in cars nowadays though that there is not the traction gap there used to be.
#71
Rennlist Member
If AWD was so magically better in every condition then the Porsche RSR and other race cars would use AWD. It does obviously have some advantages in inclement weather for accelerating... The rear diffs are so good in cars nowadays though that there is not the traction gap there used to be.
#72
Burning Brakes
If AWD was so magically better in every condition then the Porsche RSR and other race cars would use AWD. It does obviously have some advantages in inclement weather for accelerating... The rear diffs are so good in cars nowadays though that there is not the traction gap there used to be.
#73
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If I was into the 991.2 game then I'd be more inclined to consider it due to the torque.
Another car that experienced huge performance gains makes an even better case study. the Jaguar F Type. Had the same engine in my XKR. Wonderful engine and way ahead of it's time. a TON of torque - enough to put the 991.2 to shame in terms if instant torque. The 991.2 isn't at that power level (or torque level) but the jag's power was far more useful in putting it to the ground with AWD vs RWD.
Another iteration that is another technology leap is the torque vectoring capabilities that brands like Lexus are beginning to release. For big power, it's more of a necessity. For the high revving NA/3.4 & 3.8 lovers its not as big of a deal.
Different strokes and we're lucky to be living in such a time although I'm more inclined to gravitate to lighter, less horsepower and more primitive cars...
#74
Most of the hyper cars do.
If I was into the 991.2 game then I'd be more inclined to consider it due to the torque.
Another car that experienced huge performance gains makes an even better case study. the Jaguar F Type. Had the same engine in my XKR. Wonderful engine and way ahead of it's time. a TON of torque - enough to put the 991.2 to shame in terms if instant torque. The 991.2 isn't at that power level (or torque level) but the jag's power was far more useful in putting it to the ground with AWD vs RWD.
Another iteration that is another technology leap is the torque vectoring capabilities that brands like Lexus are beginning to release. For big power, it's more of a necessity. For the high revving NA/3.4 & 3.8 lovers its not as big of a deal.
Different strokes and we're lucky to be living in such a time although I'm more inclined to gravitate to lighter, less horsepower and more primitive cars...
If I was into the 991.2 game then I'd be more inclined to consider it due to the torque.
Another car that experienced huge performance gains makes an even better case study. the Jaguar F Type. Had the same engine in my XKR. Wonderful engine and way ahead of it's time. a TON of torque - enough to put the 991.2 to shame in terms if instant torque. The 991.2 isn't at that power level (or torque level) but the jag's power was far more useful in putting it to the ground with AWD vs RWD.
Another iteration that is another technology leap is the torque vectoring capabilities that brands like Lexus are beginning to release. For big power, it's more of a necessity. For the high revving NA/3.4 & 3.8 lovers its not as big of a deal.
Different strokes and we're lucky to be living in such a time although I'm more inclined to gravitate to lighter, less horsepower and more primitive cars...
#75
If it had been alowed my prediction is all the cars in the series would have 4WD....