Some of you guys keep mentioning "the proportions don't look like RWD", what is that?? How do you tell? I'm lost here. :blink:

In reality, most proportions could be RWD. However, the ideal proportions include a long hood with some space between the door and front wheel and a somewhat short deck with some rear overhang. Basically in a nutshell, that's it. But, I prefer short front and rear ends with minimal overhang. Regardless of the drive wheels.

im with bv on this, but i still dont claim to know what they mean, i just like minimal overhang if not no overhang

FWD cars tend to have large front overhangs, like the LaCrosse or the G6 in your sig. What were they smoking when they gave the ok to those?

I see... so I guess that is because the engine must be forward of the front wheels right?

Not necessarily... Look at the Mini Cooper. It's FWD, yet it has a really short front overhang.

A little visual comparison

Catera (RWD) Long overhang


Malibu (FWD) Long overhang (uh.. let's ignore the wheels too :P )


CTS (RWD) Short overhang


tried to find another car that's simular in size to the other 3 that's fwd and short over hang but I came up with nothing...

And here's the exception...

I saw a Mini for sale today, they wanted $14,9 for it. Sooooo tempting.

The exception the other way would be ferraris- they have God-awful frontal overhangs. enzo's is like 3 feet- I don't know how you can execute tight turns in one!

OK, so this seems to change the picture. Is there then no such thing as telling between RWD and FWD proportions? I'm still lost :blink:

Other than the front overhang typically being smaller on RWD, there really isn't a huge proportional difference that I've seen.

The old Acura RL had a really short front overhang even though it was FWD:

The exception the other way would be ferraris- they have God-awful frontal overhangs. enzo's is like 3 feet- I don't know how you can execute tight turns in one!

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That's the case with most mid-engined sports cars... it's nice to know the G6 has something in common with a Lamborghini Gallardo.

Aside from overhang length, a huge giveaway is the space between the front door's cutline and the front wheel. When the space between is relatively large, the car is usually RWD. When the space is limited, the car is usually FWD. Take a look:

The RWD BMW 3 Series:



The FWD Chevrolet Impala:



While there are exceptions (previous-gen Acura RL, Mini Cooper, etc), the above theory generally holds true.

Hope that helps.

Once again, though, there are exceptions. Take the FWD Prelude. It had quite a bit of space inbetween there. Another being the RL posted above. And for RWD, the 4th and/or 3rd gen F-bodies. They did not have much space inbetween there compared with most RWDers. Also, as empowah said, Mid-engined vehicles tend to have long front overhangs. Including my baby... the Fiero.

Edited September 1, 200519 yr by blackviper8891

Yes (once again), there are exceptions. Let's all say it one more time as a group. There are exceptions. :P

I see. Cleared up a lot. Thanks guys!