More interesting comments in old reviews

"BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires" (biturbo228) 03/08/2014 at 17:08 • Filed to: FailWheelDrive?

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From !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! of an E21 320i, a Beta Coupe 2000 and an Alfetta 2000 GTV: "The Lancia has the really tenacious, almost supercar sort of roadholding that we are coming to expect from the latest generation of Front-wheel drive cars...It takes the advanced drive train layout of the Alfetta or the Porsche 924 to match such limits. The BMW can't: it is carefully set up to go around bends with no understeer at all...but at speeds up to 10mph slower than those of the Alfa and the Lancia"

So, the next time someone disparages FWD and wonders why RWD went away, this might provide a clue. For a good portion of automotive history it was arguably better.

duurtlang > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 03/08/2014 at 17:23

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And this is an E21 we're talking about. Now imagine a land barge from across the pond.

I'd argue FWD is still superior to RWD in many to most segments. RWD only makes sense in enthusiast cars and tow vehicles. There might be a packaging advantage in the new Twingo as well, but to me it's still a bit early to tell.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > duurtlang 03/08/2014 at 17:47

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I'd go as far to say that FWD is superior at anything below 200hp. You get a lot less drivetrain loss, so they're usually quicker despite the launch deficit. Better in the snow too.

Hell, with the modern generation of fancy diffs and front suspensions I'd say it's perfectly fine up to 300hp now.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > duurtlang 03/08/2014 at 19:09

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Also, I'd love to see a contemporary European review of a proper American land barge. Something like a Cadillac Eldorado :)

duurtlang > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 03/08/2014 at 19:48

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I wonder if they even did those back then. What could they possibly have to say? It's huge, gaudy, crude floaty and you'll need your own oil refinery? There was no review worthy comparison possible between European and American cars at the time.

Still, in the 70s and earlier, I'd guess until the fuel crisis, people occasionally did buy American barges. I've seen them in vintage pictures and even in those classic reverse driving banger videos.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > duurtlang 03/08/2014 at 20:01

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Good point. I suppose they'd call our standard cars cramped, gutless and buzzy.

I'd like to see what they thought of the second gen. Corvair actually, or maybe the Pontiac Tempest. They were certainly the most European cars America has produced.