Why doesn't Alfa sell more cars?

[Alex Csank]

The FWD/ RWD/ AWD issue will always be with us I guess. I have driven and owned (at the same time) AWD, FWD and RWD cars, and have driven them all hard in all kinds of road conditions. In general, modern FWD cars are very good at making the best use of the FWD technology. Cars like the newer Saabs, Volvos, Hondas (Acura too), Alfas and many others are great-handling cars which can keep pace with just about any RWD car. Having said that, the plowing and understeer associated with FWD, combined with some numbness at the steering wheel don't provide the driver with the same 'feel' as that of a good-handling RWD car. RWD can make a car much more predictable at the limit, and allow the driver who is traveling a bit too fast into a corner the ability to feel his way out of a skid by good use of the throttle and steering wheel.

In bad weather and slippery road conditions, the FWD car has some advantages over the RWD car because of the weight being over the driven and steering wheels. If equipped with good tires, the FWD car is great in snowy or icy conditions.

AWD is a whole different story! Depending on how it is set up (see the article comparing the Mitsubishi Evo and the Subaru WRX in the recent 'Car and Driver' magazine), the AWD car can provide the best possible handling and performance available in a production car. Even mid-engined designs can benefit with AWD. And when it comes to bad roads...NOTHING can top the traction benefits of an AWD car!

Personally, I would love to see some kind of design where an AWD car would be able to have the braking and acceleration advantages of a rear-engined Porsche, the handling advantages of a mid-engined Ferrari, the feel of a 105 series Alfa and the absolute grip of a WRX! Maybe what we need is a modern AWD Bi-Motore, with a computer controlled set of ballast tanks which would transfer weight to the most appropriate location (Front for braking, Rear for acceleration, and to the outside when cornering)?

If only wishes were horses!

[smestas]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Csank AWD is a whole different story! Depending on how it is set up (see the article comparing the Mitsubishi Evo and the Subaru WRX in the recent 'Car and Driver' magazine), the AWD car can provide the best possible handling and performance available in a production car. Even mid-engined designs can benefit with AWD. And when it comes to bad roads...NOTHING can top the traction benefits of an AWD car!

[Alfa Romeo]

I have always been an Alfa fan but always went for the BMW because it was a safer bet and had a lot of appeal to a guy who loves nice cars and driving. However I must admit when I got my first new BMW 318iS (pictured) I just felt it lacked something - charisma or some such - after getting another BMW this time a five series I knew I would not get a third. Luckily Alfa released the GT a car which I knew I had the have the moment I first seen one. Here it is on the day I collected it from the shop.
This car has very good quality and even though I have only done 800 miles in it every trip is a delight - and it has that spark in abundance

[canguro]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfa Romeo Luckily Alfa released the GT a car which I knew I had the have the moment I first seen one. Here it is on the day I collected it from the shop. This car has very good quality and even though I have only done 800 miles in it every trip is a delight - and it has that spark in abundance

[johnei]

I think Acura is pushing it with their fwd cars. I helped a guy I know get a new car and much to my disappointment he got a Acura TL with the 6spd. Initially he said he couldn't tell the fwd/rwd difference but it has now become apparent to him. He also admited it wasn't very good in the snow - which was an excuse not to get a rwd car. I told him the tires make more of a difference. 270bhp through the front is too much and the 6spd doesn't help. The car doesn't go well around corners here - especially when it is uneven pavement - fortunately for him there aren't many corners but there is a lot of uneven pavement. I think Acura is going to fix this problem by expanding their new awd setup accross the line. Alfa trying to do the same hp through the front seems dumb.