7 Reasons Why Front-Wheel Drive Is Awesome

There are a number of schools of thought about where the optimum engine position is, or whether manual or automatic shifting is better, but if there’s one thing petrolheads are generally unanimous on, it’s that rear-wheel drive is just right.

If you cherry pick some of the finest performance cars the automotive world has to offer, chances are they’ll be rear-wheel drive. Occasionally a cheeky all-wheel drive car will pop up shouting something about extra grip, but typically your engine will be shifting power to its backside.

It’s easy to write off front-wheel drive cars as compromised and unexciting, but to do so would be to rid yourself of some fantastic cars and awesome driving experiences. I’m here to tell you why you should give FWD a chance…

1. You probably won't encounter drawbacks on the road

If you’re driving at ten/tenths out on the road, you’re an idiot. Most front-wheel drive cars don’t begin to come unstuck until you’re really starting to push the envelope, so while you’re on your nation’s highways and byways, there’s a good chance you won’t even notice which wheels the power is coursing through.

Torque steer can be a bit of a pain when launching, but once you’re up into third and beyond it’ll be barely noticeable. The Ford Focus ST does without a proper diff, which makes torque steer horrendous, however in third and above it isn’t noticeable at all, gripping well beyond what you’d expect from a hot hatch.

2. A properly sorted diff is one of life's little pleasures

These days, front-wheel drive technology is absolutely fascinating. You have limited-slip differentials, electronic systems that imitate differentials, specially designed suspensions…the list goes on. I’ve driven pretty much every variation on the market, and while they all work fairly well, nothing beats a proper mechanical diff.

There are a number of exceptional products out there. The Seat Leon Cupra 280 uses VAG’s VAQ unit, which uses a clutch to distribute the torque, acting almost like half of a Haldex all-wheel drive system. Steering feel is a bit absent, but on track, and while accelerating out of a particularly tight hairpin, there’s no discernible understeer. Then there’s the utterly brilliant Megane and its superbly unobtrusive diff, and the new Honda Civic Type R, which has such effective front-end grip that you can feel the torque biting into the road as you accelerate through.

3. Torque steer can be fun in its own special way

Okay, bare with me on this one. I know that torque steer can be one of the most frustrating driving experiences in the world, but some people do enjoy it. I’ve spoken to other journalists who quite enjoy trying to tame a car that’s attempting to rip the wheel from your hands, and while I don’t necessarily agree, I get where they’re coming from.

Becoming one with your vehicle is every petrolhead’s aim, so once you figure out exactly how much throttle input gets the most out of your car you’ll feel an immense amount of satisfaction. If you think about it, it’s the same principle behind figuring out how much accelerator pedal your rear wheels can take before kicking the back out.

4. It's a great way to learn how to drive fast

Rear-wheel drive might be optimum when you’re really gunning for the lap record, but if you’re just starting out at driving on the limit, a front-wheel drive car is far more forgiving. If the back end gets loose you just need to mash the throttle to bring it back around, and if you’re understeering just lift off (which will likely be your natural reaction anyway) and the front should drag itself back onto line.

5. FWD is confidence inspiring

I’ve been fortunate enough to drive some very fast cars in my time, but I’m never more comfortable than when I’m in a front-driver. I like to think I’m a pretty decent wheelman, but in a rear-driver there’s always this nagging voice in my head that tells me to be just that tiny bit gentler on the throttle. FWD means you can give it the beans everywhere and only crash if you’re being a muppet.

When we shot the new BMW M3 it was one of the most frustrating days of my life. The car was great in the dry, but after a little downpour made the roads greasy, I couldn’t find grip anywhere. Even in a straight line I could barely give it any gas without the rears lighting up. Yes, the wheels can still spin up in a FWD car, but as I said before, it’s easier to keep momentum flowing when you start to lose grip in a FWD car.

While at the Nurburgring recently, the guys at RSR Nurburg said that, in the wet, their Renaultsport Meganes absolutely destroy everything else out there.

Going front-wheel drive doesn’t mean that you have to give up going sideways - just chuck the car in and lift off the throttle. The weight transfer will kick the back out, and there you have it: FWD drift action! Okay, so it’s not quite that simple, but let Mr Harris explain better above…

Admittedly there’s not quite as much finesse as is required while drifting, and I doubt anyone will be flocking to watch a lift-off oversteer championship any time soon, but watch that Drivers Republic video and tell me it doesn’t look incredibly good fun!