Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2020 11:46:24 GMT
Stumbling around the web at lunchtime I found these words in AutoExpress describing the new BMW 1 series: "The new BMW 1 Series is a little bit controversial in the automotive world because, in a bid to match its key rivals for practicality, it has switched from rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive. The purists were up in arms when the car was first revealed, but our early tests quickly discovered that it drives better than ever and it beat the outgoing Mk7 Volkswagen Golf and Mercedes A-Class when we tested them together in late October." I've used bold, suspecting Humph (and other driving gods) may need to lie down after that... The article is here: www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/1-series/108834/bmw-118i-m-sport-long-term-test-reviewFront wheel drive E class or 5 series anyone ? |
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Post by EspadaIII on Feb 14, 2020 12:10:28 GMT
Hell will freeze over etc etc....
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Feb 14, 2020 17:53:34 GMT
I seldom give it a thought these days in either of my cars. (I drive so little anyway, it makes even less difference.) The Golfs I’ve driven have been no less enjoyable (and the Passats no less drab) for being front wheel drive.
The last car in which I even noticed which wheels were driven was probably the Volvo S90 when I finally freed it from Slough traffic and pointed up the long slip road at J6 of the M4. It twitched and squirmed noticeably under power, but I’d already decided I didn’t like it.
Big cars will soon all have a motor for each wheel anyway. Even the pub bores will have to shut up then.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2020 18:13:39 GMT
Motor at each wheel is super car territory.
I looked at insurance for a Tesla3, because of the performance, it was on a par with insurance for my Focus.
I suspect the insurance industry will have a lot to say about what is and is not acceptable in terms of performance. One or two motors on one or two axle(s) will be the norm. Extra motors add weight and complexity when it's not needed for most applications.
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Post by Humph on Feb 15, 2020 9:20:05 GMT
I don't want to talk about it. Too upset frankly.
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Post by EspadaIII on Feb 15, 2020 19:22:50 GMT
In a large car RWD should always be the preferred method although the Amuricans seem to go the whole FWD hog even on (very) large cars for some reason. Maybe their overall packaging was so poor that FWD was the only way to get a decent interior package in a smaller exterior box.
The Volvos have always had terrible turning circle and compared to my Merc, I couldn't drive one now for that reason. The Mini of Espadrille's is not great either in that regard. A long car that suffers from heavy steering and too large a turning circle.
Given the comment in another thread it looks like a lot of us will simply keep our cars for a while pending some sense of perspective of the motoring future. If the self-driving car becomes a reality in the next ten years, many of us will cease to own a car at all. We shall simply taxi it everywhere without the driver taking the slowest but shortest way to the destination to save 10p in fuel.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2020 19:34:54 GMT
Haha, if you think a Volvo turning circle is bad you've never driven a FIAT Coupe. There are oil tankers and ferries with tighter turning circles. Having said that, set a car, any car, up right for a turn and they generally make it around the corner. Some just need a little more thought than others.
The day self-driving cars are on general release is the day our licences become invalid/expired. Humans and bots will not share road space.
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Avant
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Post by Avant on Feb 15, 2020 22:46:29 GMT
A poor turning circle can be a major irritation - something often forgotten about on a test drive. RWD Volvos used to be brilliant at this despite the great length of a 240 estate: the current FWD crop of Volvos as you say is very poor. Skodas do very well despite FWD and transverse engines: when I had my Octavias SWMBO had Minis, and the former's turning circle was quite a bit tighter.
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