Are the rumors true?
10-31-2010, 11:33 PM
#16
Rennlist Member
The reason Porsche moved to AWD for their turbocharged cars was in response to a number of IDIOTS who either didn't know how to drive a high powered rear engined car or they loaned them out to someone who didn't know how to drive a high powered rear engined car. There were many accidents and even lawsuits wherein victims attempted to claim that the Porsche Turbo was an inherently unsafe car (remember the Chevy Corvair?) When Porsche got tired of dealing with this they made a conscious marketing (not engineering) decision to make all their regular Porsche Turbos AWD cars, to help reduce their proclivity for swapping ends on inexperienced drivers. (What was happening was that Porsche Turbos were becoming popular as something other than an enthusiast's car). As such, every person who thought they were competent in a Porsche Turbo cockpit was buying one only to discover they had limitations. With the introduction of the 993 TWIN Turbos they all came with a viscous clutch that allowed the front end to pull the car through curves when needed. By the 997 Turbo Porsche had finally abandoned the viscous clutch design that they used for the 993 and 996 turbos and adopted a much more sophisticated and complex electronically governed AWD system that was last seen on the 964 (Carrera 4) cars as well as on the Porsche 959.
Of course, some people can actually drive a 2WD Porsche with a lot of power and so the Porsche GT2 is for them. Because they are considerably more expensive and thus less popular, it appears that Porsche has solved that little problem.
And yes, of course, you can get a Porsche Turbo with a 6-speed!
Of course, some people can actually drive a 2WD Porsche with a lot of power and so the Porsche GT2 is for them. Because they are considerably more expensive and thus less popular, it appears that Porsche has solved that little problem.
And yes, of course, you can get a Porsche Turbo with a 6-speed!
AWD has advantages over RWD in many areas, similarly to how RWD has advantages over AWD in other areas. Generally RWD is more efficient and faster for sports cars driven by race drivers, however AWD definitely is faster in slippery conditions, put the power down much better, faster out of corners. and FASTER driven by most average to above average drivers. 997.1 C4S has the same time on Nurburgring as C2S despite being heavier, which shows the extra traction makes up for the extra weight!
All you need to do is to go to an Audi event to see how AWD cars are doing next to other cars.
Having said all that, I was NOT impressed with the AWD in 997.2 C4S (and Turbos) compared to older AWD. It was less sporty, heavier, kicked in too early and took away some of the 911 feel out of it (vs. 997.1 C4S). I believe that's why AWD system was modified quite a bit for 2011 Turbos and Turbo S (but not for C4/C4S).
11-01-2010, 12:23 AM
#17
Race Car
I blame the 80's Audi Quattros. Ever since they came out, all the German automakers decided they needed AWD. Just like when the Miata came out, everybody came out with roadsters again.
11-01-2010, 12:29 AM
#18
Race Director
11-01-2010, 03:51 PM
#19
And it's a death trap just like the old Turbos.
The fact is a huge turbo torque kick combined with a massive pendulum hanging out the back of your car made the old turbos really dangerous on wet corners and gave Porsches a reputation as dangerous killer cars (which they still have to this day even though we all know that they have been severely tamed now).
The fact is a huge turbo torque kick combined with a massive pendulum hanging out the back of your car made the old turbos really dangerous on wet corners and gave Porsches a reputation as dangerous killer cars (which they still have to this day even though we all know that they have been severely tamed now).
11-01-2010, 04:49 PM
#20
Rennlist Member
Dan, Why did they remove the electronic AWD system from the '89 Carrera 4 to lower-tech, viscous coupling designs until 2009? Was it primarily for safety concerns to allow more understeer?
I've got to say that when I put the power down in corners, there's no doubt that the primitive AWD in my '06 helps pull the car around and I can feel the rear slightly swing; the bias is obviously toward the rear in my car as they state no torque goes beyond 40% to the front.
I've got to say that when I put the power down in corners, there's no doubt that the primitive AWD in my '06 helps pull the car around and I can feel the rear slightly swing; the bias is obviously toward the rear in my car as they state no torque goes beyond 40% to the front.
