Top Gear © BBC 2000. "Old Top Gear", broadcast on 2000

Tiff Needell, along with guest Mark Higgins, test and compare different drive configurations in terms of best perceived handling: front-wheel drive front-engined (FWD-FF), rear-wheel drive, front-engined (RWD-FR), rear-wheel drive mid-engined (RWD-MR) and all-wheel drive front-engine (AWD-FA).

This video may be illustrative on what particular drive configurations represent for driving dynamics. The four cars have different drive-train configurations and very different performances. All four cars are fitted with manual gearboxes and hydraulic steering systems and do not operate during the test with any electronic driver aids (e.g. traction control) activated.

FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE, FRONT ENGINE: Peugeot 306 GTI (1993-2002), 2.0L, 4-cyl line, 167 hp

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, FRONT ENGINE: Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI (1999-2001) 2.0L turbo, 4-cyl line, 300 hp

REAR-WHEEL DRIVE, FRONT ENGINE: BMW Z3 M roadster (1998-2002), 3,2L., 6-cyl line, 321 hp

REAR-WHEEL DRIVE, MID-ENGINE: Ferrari 360 Modena (1999-2005), 4,3L, 8-cyl v, 405 hp



NOTE: There are numerous engine and drive configurations not present on this video:

REAR-WHEEL DRIVE, REAR ENGINE: e.g. any Porsche 911 Carrera2, Volkswagen Beetle (1945-1998)

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, REAR ENGINE: Porsche 911 Turbo, 4S.

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, MID ENGINE: e.g. Lamborghini Murciélago, Gallardo, Aventador; Audi A8.


There are also numerous factors that condition the dynamic performance, handling of vehicles: overall weight, weights distribution, centre of gravity (weight), for which the configuration of the engine cylinders, the position of the transmission, power and torque are immensely influential.

REAR-WHEEL DRIVE, FRONT ENGINE, REAR-MOUNTED GEARBOX: e.g. Alfa Romeo GTV Alfetta, Ferrari 550 Maranello, F12 Berlinetta, Porsche 944, 968, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Nissan GT-R, Lexus LFA

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, FRONT BOXER ENGINE (mounted in front of the front axle): e.g. Subaru Impreza

FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE, FRONT BOXER ENGINE (mounted in front of the front axle): e.g. Alfa Romeo Sud, Sprint.


It should also be noted that manufacturers tend to produce different mechanical configurations according to the performance of cars.

FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE, FRONT-ENGINE: Few cars on this configuration exceed 250 hp (e.g. Alfa Romeo 147 GTA, Renault Mégane RS, Opel Vectra VXR)

REAR-WHEEL DRIVE, REAR-ENGINE: Few cars are on this configuration have less than 200 hp (e.g. Lancia Beta MonteCarlo, Toyota MR2, Lotus Elise)


Video availed by "Reikro" (thanks)

© Video Copyrights: Top Gear, BBC & BBC World, 2000.
Video reproduced for didactic, instructive, non-commercial, non-lucrative purposes only.

свернуть