Peugeot looking to buy Vauxhall and Opel!

[Doctor Gollum]

Crashing backwards is always more comfortable.

[citroenguy]

All the reasons FWD have become so widely used in cars and any advantages it may have boil down to one thing and one thing only, bean counting.

There is no argument for FWD over RWD or AWD that is not related to that.

The original reason was to get rid of the tunnel which stuck up through the car to accommodate the propshaft, thus making more room in the rear passenger compartment.
I would say most drivers these days are safer in a FWD vehicle. They would have no idea about how to correct should things go wrong in a RWD.

Yes, sure. But in the end it boiled down to bean counting. Without the tunnel, cars could also be smaller, which means cheaper to build and cheaper to sell. FWD was always about saving on something. It was never because it's the better way to move a car.

It is also because consumers want cheaper and roomier car, just look at the MPV boom in the 90's. And also space in cities is limited..
But as an old saying goes taste is like your buttocks, divided 

[anV6]

All the reasons FWD have become so widely used in cars and any advantages it may have boil down to one thing and one thing only, bean counting.

There is no argument for FWD over RWD or AWD that is not related to that.

The original reason was to get rid of the tunnel which stuck up through the car to accommodate the propshaft, thus making more room in the rear passenger compartment.
I would say most drivers these days are safer in a FWD vehicle. They would have no idea about how to correct should things go wrong in a RWD.

Yes, sure. But in the end it boiled down to bean counting. Without the tunnel, cars could also be smaller, which means cheaper to build and cheaper to sell. FWD was always about saving on something. It was never because it's the better way to move a car.

It is also because consumers want cheaper and roomier car, just look at the MPV boom in the 90's. And also space in cities is limited..
But as an old saying goes taste is like your buttocks, divided 

Sure. But one thing is saying, I like FWD cars even though I know they are worse than RWD and AWD. Then it's a matter of taste, and you are surely entitled to your own buttocks. 

But another is pretending FWD is not inferior, which it is. Then it has nothing to do with taste or even opinion.

As for the whole point of consumers wanting cheaper, this is exactly my point. FWD was always about being cheap.  This is the sole advantage any way you slice it. Even when cheap doesn't directly translate into "money".  FWD was never about being the best way to move a car. Never was and will never be. Unless cars start driving backwards. 

[Pmacca2000]

As Vauxhall Luton seem to build all forms of vivaro will French quality go up?
Looks like hold our breath time again 

[Rods2]

I think the only way Peugeot will survive is through covert French subsidies. Green car research is the current favourite. Renault's prospects are better due to Nissan.

[BazaJT]

Owning both a rwd-the Omega-and a fwd-the V70-I'd have to say that in the ordinary everyday cut and thrust of the commute to/from work you're hard put to tell which end is providing the thrust.Fwd much easier to spin up the wheels from a standing start if that's your thing[it's not my idea of driving properly]and the turning circle is undoubtedly worse.In either you can make decently rapid progress,just drive to the conditions.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Can anyone think of a purposely designed FWD car ? No, nor can I. Theres a reason for that. 

[Doctor Gollum]

Can anyone think of a purposely designed FWD car ? No, nor can I. Theres a reason for that. 

Traction Avant

[citroenguy]

Can anyone think of a purposely designed FWD car ? No, nor can I. Theres a reason for that. 

The Mini, BMC 1100, Citroën Traction Avant, Citroën DS,SAAB 92 and so on.....

[tunnie]

Can anyone think of a purposely designed FWD car ? No, nor can I. Theres a reason for that. 

The Mini, BMC 1100, Citroën Traction Avant, Citroën DS,SAAB 92 and so on.....

There is one of these in the classic car sales near the office, keep meaning to have proper look at it. (When they are not looking)

It's a stunning looking car, would turn heads if released today.

[tunnie]

Owning both a rwd-the Omega-and a fwd-the V70-I'd have to say that in the ordinary everyday cut and thrust of the commute to/from work you're hard put to tell which end is providing the thrust.Fwd much easier to spin up the wheels from a standing start if that's your thing[it's not my idea of driving properly]and the turning circle is undoubtedly worse.In either you can make decently rapid progress,just drive to the conditions.

Same conclusions here, the 3.2 vs the VW. 

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Can anyone think of a purposely designed FWD car ? No, nor can I. Theres a reason for that. 

The Mini, BMC 1100, Citroën Traction Avant, Citroën DS,SAAB 92 and so on.....

Apologies to you and DG. I missed out the word competition between FWD and car. 

[Kevin Wood]

Someone's running a girl's wheel drive le mans car these days, i think.

Yes, Nissan,  it would seem.

[Doctor Gollum]

Someone's running a girl's wheel drive le mans car these days, i think.

Yes, Nissan,  it would seem.

Which makes 9/10ths of bugger all sense as the engine is still at the back... I mean wtf is that about

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

That's the only purpose built fwd competition car Ive ever heard of. Surprised someone knew about it tbh.
From memory, the reason its fwd is something to do with complying with regs in some other area, may have been aero regs ? , and the design was thought to give more gains in that area than it lost in handling by being fwd.