Americans soon will see several new better-handling rear-wheel-drive cars now that technological advances have allowed manufacturers to overcome past drawbacks such as poor handling on ice and mediocre fuel economy, according to an Associated Press (AP) report.
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AP said General Motors is one making a big push to rear-wheel drives, with several versions planned, and is scheduled to introduce a rear-wheel-drive Buick concept car in conjunction with media preview days at the New York International Auto Show.
The Buick Velite, a four-seat convertible, is the first example of a car GM could produce for the North American market from a new global vehicle platform for rear-wheel-drive models, the report said.
AP said front-wheel-drive cars began to dominate the market in the 1970s because they were lighter and more fuel efficient and also tended to handle better on snow and ice.
But advances in fuel economy and technology, such as traction control and electronic stability control, have prompted some carmakers to venture back to rear-wheel drives, targeting customers who crave enhanced performance.
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By GlobalData“A big part of good ride and handling, particularly in terms of turning capability, has to do with mass distribution,” Mark Hogan, GM’s group vice president for advanced vehicle development, told Associated Press, adding: “We’re far more able to get 50-50 mass distribution – which is ideal from a ride and handling standpoint — with a rear-drive car versus a front-drive.”
Hogan reportedly said the rear-drive’s different internal configuration also allows designers to move the wheels out a bit farther and provides different styling options, another plus for customers.
AP noted that GM has reintroduced the sporty rear-wheel-drive Pontiac GTO [made in Australia by subsidiary Holden] while Pontiac also plans to bolster its lineup with the new rear-wheel-drive Solstice roadster next year and the Saturn brand will add a RWD sports car in 2006.
Associated Press said DaimlerChrysler’s Chrysler Group also is betting big on rear-wheel drives as two new large RWD vehicles, the Chrysler 300 sedan and Dodge Magnum wagon, will debut this spring.
Chrysler also is expected to add a rear-wheel-drive car called the Dodge Charger to its portfolio for the 2006 model year, reviving the Charger name used in the 1960s for a high-powered car popular among the street-racing set, AP added.
Ford’s new GT supercar, scheduled for release this summer, has a rear-wheel-drive package, and the Mustang has been a RWD stalwart since its introduction 40 years ago, Associated Press noted.
Mike Wall, an analyst with CSM Worldwide, told AP much of the renewed emphasis in rear-wheel drives has come from domestic carmakers – European brands such as BMW have maintained a strong rear-wheel lineup, while Asian manufacturers have not shown as much interest.
Wall reportedly said the new RWD offerings likely will not generate huge sales for the Big Three, but they can’t afford to ignore any segment in the increasingly competitive marketplace.
“We’re not talking about modern-day replacements for the Taurus or Accord or Camry, but they can carve out a decent niche,” Wall told Associated Press, adding: “It may be enough to at least complement their front-wheel-drive offerings and help bolster market share.”
