2009 Focus RS
Scooby Regular
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,420
Likes: 0
The best way on a FWD car to get the best front end grip is by using proper front suspension with upper and lower control arms, as opposed to Mcpherson struts which uses the shock absorber as the upper component. The RS is said to have a "revoknuckle" front suspension, whatever that is - but I bet its still a Mcpherson strut, but with an extra lower tie rod to stop the main lower control arm from flapping about under fore-aft loads - something like that found on a Rover 25 (don't knock it, its all the better for having it) 
Scooby Regular
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 7,498
Likes: 0
From: Ascended to the next level
Nice find! 
Thats something I haven't seen on the front of a FWD car. It actually looks like quite a clever bit of steering/suspension design. Rather than having a hub fixed rigidly to the suspension strut. Its supported via upper and lower balljoints, thus allowing the hub to steer without the geometry restrictions found with a hub fixed directly to the strut.
Quite a clever compromise to avoid fitting upper link arms (alá Nissan Primera).
Thats something I haven't seen on the front of a FWD car. It actually looks like quite a clever bit of steering/suspension design. Rather than having a hub fixed rigidly to the suspension strut. Its supported via upper and lower balljoints, thus allowing the hub to steer without the geometry restrictions found with a hub fixed directly to the strut.
Quite a clever compromise to avoid fitting upper link arms (alá Nissan Primera).
If I was in the market for a new car then I'd agree with you there... if it was 4wd!
Why, oh why Ford?!! (ok, I know the answer) but FFS
I loved my old cossies etc and it'd be great if Ford made something to nod back to the escort cosworth. The thing is even if they did make a 4wd one it'd no doubt 'borrow' another 4wd platform.. ie placebo FWD biased gay 4wd.
Looks great in white there!
Anyone who says FWD is ok with big power is wrong IMO, well it may be ok but it's not great. I've been driving around in a fast fwd turbo car (with lsd) myself lately and apart from the lack of traction (which is so tedious) the handling can sometimes be a bit lairy.
Scooby Regular
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,846
Likes: 4
From: Lancashire
We don't all think we are Michael Schumacher or Tommi Makkinen though 
If I drove flat out everywhere sliding round bends and hammering down country lanes at warp speed then 4WD or RWD may have the slight advantage, but for my relatively sedate driving style any high power FWD car is fine 99% of the time.
The decreased running costs of FWD make them a better proposition for every day life IMO.
If I drove flat out everywhere sliding round bends and hammering down country lanes at warp speed then 4WD or RWD may have the slight advantage, but for my relatively sedate driving style any high power FWD car is fine 99% of the time.
The decreased running costs of FWD make them a better proposition for every day life IMO.
Scooby Regular
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,619
Likes: 0
From: Here, There, Everywhere
Scooby Regular
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,570
Likes: 0
From: Wickford, Essex - GamerTag - lCE
We don't all think we are Michael Schumacher or Tommi Makkinen though
If I drove flat out everywhere sliding round bends and hammering down country lanes at warp speed then 4WD or RWD may have the slight advantage, but for my relatively sedate driving style any high power FWD car is fine 99% of the time.
The decreased running costs of FWD make them a better proposition for every day life IMO.
If I drove flat out everywhere sliding round bends and hammering down country lanes at warp speed then 4WD or RWD may have the slight advantage, but for my relatively sedate driving style any high power FWD car is fine 99% of the time.
The decreased running costs of FWD make them a better proposition for every day life IMO.
Scooby Regular
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 7,498
Likes: 0
From: Ascended to the next level
Thing is, BMW have made AWD 3series on and off for years now, just never sold it in the UK (3series Xi ).
Last edited by Shark Man; Jul 14, 2008 at 01:30 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
davefromevonet
ScoobyNet General
6
Mar 29, 2001 11:40 AM
MarkO
ScoobyNet General
19
Feb 10, 2000 05:01 PM