New car, new drive type?



Here's the translation of the article into English:
---
**A New Car, A New Drivetrain?**
What does a race car driver think about different drivetrains? We asked Suvi Jyrkiäinen, who races in the V1600 class, about her opinions on drivetrains.
**Front-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, or All-Wheel Drive?**
Are you about to change cars but unsure which drivetrain architecture suits you? Will you choose the same as before, or should you add some new nuances to your driving experience?
Due to its simplicity, lightness, and affordability, front-wheel drive (FWD) is currently the most common drivetrain structure. As an added bonus, FWD avoids the intrusion of a driveshaft into the cabin space.
– Because the engine's weight is on the driving wheels, starting off is easy regardless of the weather. However, a strong acceleration in a powerful FWD car can feel like the car is getting away from you, as the steering might pull, Jyrkiäinen notes.
According to Suvi Jyrkiäinen, this can be managed with precise steering movements and easing off the accelerator. In fast driving, a FWD car also tends to understeer, pushing wide in corners. Easing off the accelerator helps here as well.
– The key to fast lap times with a FWD car lies in smooth and curvy driving lines, advises Jyrkiäinen, who is in her fourth season driving a front-wheel-drive Mazda.
In everyday driving and varying weather conditions, a FWD car is easy and predictable to drive. But for a driver enthusiastic about sporty driving, is ease and predictability what they truly desire?
**Correcting Front-Wheel Drive Understeer with Precise Steering and Letting Off the Gas**
– Yes, rear-wheel drive (RWD) is more fun to drive than FWD on, for instance, icy tracks. It allows for easier long drifts, and the car can be easily steered using the throttle.
Many swear by RWD for the fun it offers. However:
– At the limit, RWD is more challenging than FWD for an inexperienced driver, although with improved skills, RWD can bring a wider smile to the driver's face, says Suvi Jyrkiäinen.
The rear-wheel-drive architecture also offers more freedom in design.
– The engine's position significantly affects driving characteristics, and in RWD cars, the engine can be located at the front, middle, or rear.
What about all-wheel drive (AWD)? A few decades ago, it was something exotic, reserved for rugged off-road vehicles and Group B rally monsters.
– Nowadays, AWD is a viable option for all types of driving. Especially in winter, I would choose it for civilian use due to its excellent traction.
Typically, AWD improves weight distribution compared to FWD – the drive shaft and differential add weight to the rear wheels. However, AWD is more complex and tends to consume more fuel than two-wheel-drive cars.
– Additionally, an AWD driver must remember that on slippery surfaces, the braking distance is just as long as it is for FWD or RWD cars. This can easily be forgotten when enjoying the grip. In summer driving, the drivetrain doesn't make as much of a difference, says Suvi Jyrkiäinen.
When choosing an AWD vehicle, it is important to pay attention to technical details. Is it permanent AWD with all wheels driving all the time, or is it an auxiliary or intelligent AWD that engages only when necessary?
**In Everyday Traffic, Front-Wheel Drive is Easy and Predictable**
**Time to Choose?**
Drivetrain architectures divide opinions as much as car brands do. But in normal conditions, all drive configurations will get you to your destination safely. In extreme conditions, AWD takes the lead.
– Perhaps when choosing the next car, trying something new might lead to a pleasant surprise – and offer new, great driving experiences, ponders Suvi Jyrkiäinen as she jumps behind the wheel of her front-wheel-drive racing car.