10th May 2007, 17:03
Great car, the 620Ti, but there's no way that FWD can hold a candle to RWD all other thing being equal.
The uncorrupted steering feel of a RWD car is unachievable with FWD, and the rearward weight shift under hard acceleration increases traction on RWD cars, and reduces it on FWD cars. There's also the matter of breaking traction on FWD cars causing at least a partial loss of steering control. On RWD, you still have full directional control, and you have much better directional control with the throttle too.
There are some very good FWD cars, don't get me wrong, and I have the utmost respect for the Ti, but a good RWD car will always be preferable.
6th Jan 2009, 13:44
The 620ti is a peach. I've owned two Rovers, the ti and 620 gsi. The ti was faster, but not that much, and the handling on both was brilliant. But it's Honda you should thank for the engine performance!
27th Oct 2006, 20:37
Try telling that to the B18, H22 and K20 Civic boys across the pond, 700 bhp through the front wheels! oh and there are more powerful version than that, giving high power RWD cars a good smacking on the 'strip as well I might add.
RWD is an outmoded, dated concept, FWD is far technically superior! If you're going to say why are there no FWD F1 cars then my answer is simply packaging! it's not a concept that would lend it's self well to the constraints of the design of an F1 car. Witness BTCC FWD cars clobbering RWD cars also. and so far as I recall, there are no current RWD rally cars out there, they're all FWD or 4WD, and by current I mean say, 2006 WRC championship.
If RWD was so much better, then the manufacturers would be building homologation specials based on the mundane staple stuff left right and centre to cash in on the 'advantage' RWD offered.
And £130 for a 16" tyre?! Are tyres on ration where you live?! £238 for a full set of four Goodyear NCT5s fitted on my ti. Also try to practice clutch/throttle balance, the throttle isn't an on/off switch.
RWD is the best way to find a ditch in my opinion, I've seen a couple of BMWs in particular display this happy knack of facing the way you were coming from in brief moment! Good for show-boating, not good for going quickly or having proper control over the car.
Stop being a Rover hater because you think it's fashionable, it's not big, nor is it clever!
Fortunately there are some people who actually know the score, I'm one of them ;-)