AWD/Mid-Engine Layouts

[manticus]

I'd love to see a car with this kind of layout - keep the center of gravity low, awesome AWD traction and perfect engine placement. The only vehicles I can even think of that had/have this layout are either SUPER expensive (Murcielago) or don't exist anymore (Wasn't there a Mid-engine AWD Mitsubishi GTO in Japan at one point?). Can you think of others?

Acura NSX, Lotus Exige, Porsche Cayman - I think those would make pretty sweet AWD cars.

Ian

[Nukem]

it does make awsome cars I think the Audi R8 was AWD. Trust me the NSX Lotus Exige/Elise are among the worlds top handling cars. I think AWD on the NSX would hurt it. doesn't have the torque to run all 4 tires.

[sheek360]

Originally Posted by Nukem

I think AWD on the NSX would hurt it. doesn't have the torque to run all 4 tires.

i agree with you on that one. another awd mid car i wouldve loved to see is the MR2.

[Ziggi]

alot of the lambo's have been awd or fourwd, what cracks me up about them though is too see mow much in the long run they just didn't care about aerodynamic efficiency.

[Shabodah]

If you're not using the AWD for launching the car, it's not really benefitting it much. Mid-Engine/RWD keeps the car light, while still allowing very good weight transfer at launch. I could only see AWD really being useful in a Rally car. You've got decent traction for acclerating on the pavement, once you're moving, anyway. And AWD DOES NOT make a car handle better. Makes it easier to control for someone who doesn't know how to drive, and can improve stability, but both occur at a cost to the vehicle's performance. Don't buy into the SH AWD hype. It's bs.

[Tibbett]

The Lamborghini Merc isn't AWD..it's RWD..and the Gallardo is AWD.

As far as mid engined.. the 997 Porsche based models, the MR2's, Fiero, Pretty much any Lotus, and several others...

[Ziggi]

i'm old, so i was thinking of the diablo which was definitely awd

[Shabodah]

From what I've seen with BMW and Porsche, adding AWD is more for the convience and safety factors the customers wanted, so they could better drive their cars daily in rain and snow. I don't know what's up with the weight the Porsche's have been packing on the last few years. They are only loosing to the Vette's because they weigh so darn much.

[Ziggi]

porsche has been picking up weight to, i think, try to settle themselves into a competition more with the High end AMG mercedes and astons. To put a porsche (no base model) and corvette in the same category is an insult to what they both stand for.

[Tibbett]

Porsche has also been packing on pounds due to the added safety that they've been adding. There's also some other things that add to it, but if you'd make a 911 turbo like the one's in the 80's people wouldn't buy them..tempermental to drive..they'd spin easy..they were noisy..I always thought it was comphy and the AC barely worked.. Ahh..nothing like the good ole days