Jul 7, 2005 6:21:04 AM
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ALDO
- Rennteam Moderator
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- Loc: Germany, Black Forrest , Germany
- Posts: 3078, Gallery
- Registered on: Jul 2, 2003
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Reply to:
Carlos from Spain
Re: 997 Carrera S or 997 C4S.... Dilemna?
Quote:
Carlos from Spain said:Quote:
Silver Bullet said:
I don't understand why a car with power flowing to the front wheels - the steering wheels - would UNDERsteer.
Silver Bullet, the answer is because in RWD cars, the front wheel's available traction is dedicated exclusively to steering the car and making it turn, but in an AWD car, the front wheels also have to share that available traction for steering with applying torque to the ground, therefore more traction is used up and the limit of the traction of the front wheels is more likely to be reached in an AWD causing it to understeer more. The front wheels' grip are under higher stress becuase they have to steer and push, hence the tend to understeer more.
Carlos,
what happens with a RWD when the rear wheels loose traction (to much power used). Your front wheels have still enough traction for steering, but your real wheels don't have. In that case your rear part will go in the direction of centrifugal force direction. You will turn or you have to steer in the opposite direction. In any case the resulting force (where you intended to drive) is smaller, meaning you are driving slower.
I think in this case (and maybe only in this case) the AWD could help you. By transfering power from the rear wheels (so they don't loose traction) to the front (not to much, so they still have traction for steering).
Similar (not exactly) things happens with a LSD.
If you can create a smart AWD (and not a 50/50) then you would gain some advantages. Of course if someone is capable of driving a RWD without loosing rear traction he/she don't need a AWD.
AM
