Why front wheel?
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Lafayette, IN
I'd say in general a FWD is probably more efficient. There is less rotating mass, since there isn't a long driveshaft. You also don't have a rotational direction change (read: frictional losses) with a differential.
Part of the reason for the good mileage in an Impala is that the engine runs on only 4 cylinders when cruising.
Jason
Part of the reason for the good mileage in an Impala is that the engine runs on only 4 cylinders when cruising.
Jason
Fleet Owner
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From: Blue Hill Township
FWD is more efficient because they have smaller motors and are tuned to be fuel efficient. Take the Miata for example, with its little 4 banger, it gets great mileage. The 2006 Miata is supposed to get 24 in the city, and 30 on the highway. Its like comaring apples to oranges here, since most RWD cars have larger motors, and most FWD cars have smaller motors. Granted, there is always an exception, but its hard to compare the two.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Marion, VA
Originally Posted by FRECSF
Could it be that FWD is more effcient? The Impala is rated to get 28 miles to the gallon.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
As per usual, BigF350 is right- Zeta wasn't cancelled..... just transferred to his neck of the woods. I'd bet he's even talked to a person or two involved in the development process. 
Yes, there will be a RWD Impala in the next generation, although the current car works surprisingly well with it's 5.3. Oddly (or maybe not), the 9C1 police Impala is equipped with the 3.9 V6, not the 5.3.
edit: the primary purpose of FWD is packaging. Putting everything mechanical under the hood, instead of spreading it out across the whole chassis, leaves more room for people 'n stuff.
Yes, there will be a RWD Impala in the next generation, although the current car works surprisingly well with it's 5.3. Oddly (or maybe not), the 9C1 police Impala is equipped with the 3.9 V6, not the 5.3.edit: the primary purpose of FWD is packaging. Putting everything mechanical under the hood, instead of spreading it out across the whole chassis, leaves more room for people 'n stuff.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Central, MA
Originally Posted by ARMORER
Chevy has the new Impala SS outfitted with the 303hp. 5.3 V8. But they kept it front drive! This is not the way to compete with Ford or even Dodge these days. Do you think that the new Impala will eventually go rwd, or will it sell well in it's fwd format?
The reason Dodge or Chrysler division has any RWD cars is because of their partnership with Mercedes Benz. Back when Lido took over, he cleaned house. The only reason RWD cars were kept was for police and special service packages.
Not including the Mustang, I believe Ford only has only one platform for RWD and it’s the Crown Vic./Mercury Marquis car. Ford has kept this in place and has sold a lot of special service package cars.
For the Impala to go RWD, it would be best for GM to do what they did with the current GTO. They would import a large RWD car or borrow a platform from one of their European cohorts like Opel.
Granted that GM did have the first FWD car (1966 Oldmobile Toranado) since the 1930's Cord, but all of their current production cars are FWD but maybe the Corvette and imported GTO.
RWD works great unless you drive in the snow-belt.
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Fleet Owner
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From: Blue Hill Township
RWD works just fine in the snow. You just have to know how to drive, thats all. Everybody has been conditioned to believe that RWD in the snow is absolutely terrible. If you have good tires, some weight in the back, and a light foot it will be just fine. Gee, I wonder how everybody got around when all they had was RWD.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2004
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From: Melbourne, Aus
Originally Posted by polarbear
As per usual, BigF350 is right- Zeta wasn't cancelled..... just transferred to his neck of the woods. I'd bet he's even talked to a person or two involved in the development process.
And again, spot on with the packaging bit. (also FWD is lighter as well)
Originally Posted by Flexfuel-Dave
Not including the Mustang, I believe Ford only has only one platform for RWD and it’s the Crown Vic./Mercury Marquis car. Ford has kept this in place and has sold a lot of special service package cars.
There are only 3 countries that make cheap large RWD sedans.
Mine(Falcon, Commodore), Canada (300C) and yours (Crown Vic).
Sad really.
For the Impala to go RWD, it would be best for GM to do what they did with the current GTO. They would import a large RWD car or borrow a platform from one of their European cohorts like Opel.
The Vectra is thier biggest car.
If you want a RWD GM car (outside of the Corvette) they are only designed, engineered and manufactured in one place.
Here.
Originally Posted by mistercmk
If you have good tires, some weight in the back, and a light foot it will be just fine
Last edited by BigF350; Nov 5, 2005 at 10:47 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
Yeah, yeah....but a CTS starts at just over $30K, which isn't bad if you can stay away from the extra fluff 'n stuff. I'm really taken by the little BTS being introduced in Europe. I'd still like Cadillac to sprinkle some of that pixie dust on the rest of the GM line. I'm told the new Escalade is a knockout.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: wallingford, ct
Originally Posted by farmtwuck
Why fwd? Well obviously for funky burnouts and even cooler "J" turns! I'd like to drive one and see how well they handle the "torque-steer" on those critters.
Seriously though, don't know the answer. I see quite a few Impalas around with municipal police departments but I don't think you'll see them with the Highway Patrol. That lack of rwd is probably why.
FWD isn't all bad though; in foul weather I'll take the fwd car over the rwd car any day.
That said, I'll never have another car that isn't AWD. Hello, Subaru?...
Seriously though, don't know the answer. I see quite a few Impalas around with municipal police departments but I don't think you'll see them with the Highway Patrol. That lack of rwd is probably why.
FWD isn't all bad though; in foul weather I'll take the fwd car over the rwd car any day.
That said, I'll never have another car that isn't AWD. Hello, Subaru?...
Postmaster
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From: Marion, VA
Originally Posted by Scott S
I can't believe how the auto industry had brainwashed the public into the "FWD is better" In the snow, unless you are going dead straight and level, FWD is not better...can you say Corkscrew....I love to watch the FWDers corkscrew themselves into the curb while turning or climbing a hill. There is no substitue for skill. RWD is the only way to go!
Last edited by osbornk; Nov 6, 2005 at 01:57 PM.