AWD better in Midwest

[mlhunt856]

I don't agree with the part that RWD is better in an EV than an ICE. After all, a regular ICE ford mustang has the same traction control system as the Mach E. The ICE Mustang would have an advantage that at very low rpm it makes less torque. ICE mustangs are built to handle/corner so typically have a very low center of gravity. Maybe a tie or slight advantage to EV in center of gravity. A modern mustang GT is about 3800 lbs. so the Mach E has more weight, but the ICE GT would probably have wider tires. Modern winter tires it's about biting edges (sypes) so wider tires equate to more grip.

I do know a few people who drive modern ICE mustang GTs in the winter here in MN as well as in North Dakota. Their experience is close to bobsbruce they say with winter tires and if you are careful, it's enough.

If anyone questions if RWD in the Mach E is better for traction than AWD they can't be serious. Everyone knows or at least they should AWD provides superior traction for acceleration, in the MME

I think the real question that is being asked here is this. In a MME is RWD enough for the Midwest, or is AWD worth the extra money? I don't know and would need to run some tests and/or need to drive an RWD and AWD in the snow to give you a definitive answer. Ideally with and without winter tires. And even there because much of the driving experience is feel and comfort level it could be a different answer from driver to driver.

My gut tells me that if even the average driver got a chance to drive both comparably equipped RWD and AWD in the same wintery conditions they could tell the difference and would want the AWD in the Midwest.

I do agree with your comment that winter tires will help with handling/cornering and breaking AWD will not help with that.

I was thinking that the RWD MME might have an advantage over the ICE Mustang in terms of weight distribution, but it turns out ICE Mustangs aren't as front-heavy as I thought. I've seen numbers between 52/48 for EcoBoost models and 56/44 for GT500s, which I'd assume would be about the worst in this regard. So not bad at all. Of course, this is probably with a full tank of gas and it'd get a bit worse as the tank empties, but it also doesn't account for driver/passenger weight.

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[tuminatr]

Exactly balanced weight distribution helps cornering/handling. I did try to figure out what the weight distribution of the MME is but could not find hard figures. My guess is the RWD MME is almost identical to the ICE RWD mustangs. The MME GT probably has the best balance of weight distribution because of the same motor in front and back. The MME GT also probably has the best AWD out of all the MME models with 50/50 power distribution.

 

[Badger_Prof]

If anyone questions if RWD in the Mach E is better for traction than AWD they can't be serious. Everyone knows or at least they should AWD provides superior traction for acceleration, in the MME

I do agree with your comment that winter tires will help with handling/cornering and breaking AWD will not help with that.

I have driven both my Premium AWD ER and a Premium ER in the snow here in Wisconsin. In addition to the previously mentioned initial traction for acceleration, I have experienced a huge difference in handling. The non-AWD was surprisingly okay, but subjectively, I felt I had much more control with the AWD moving about in relatively deep snow, cornering, pulling out of a slide, etc. Were my perceptions biased because I wanted to believe the AWD I purchased was worth the money? Who knows but I can assure you that in rain and snow I notice a very significant difference.

 

[mlhunt856]

Exactly balanced weight distribution helps cornering/handling. I did try to figure out what the weight distribution of the MME is but could not find hard figures. My guess is the RWD MME is almost identical to the ICE RWD mustangs. The MME GT probably has the best balance of weight distribution because of the same motor in front and back. The MME GT also probably has the best AWD out of all the MME models with 50/50 power distribution.

I think I read or saw in a video somewhere that the GTs are slightly more rear-biased with regard to default torque split.

 

[mlhunt856]

I have driven both my Premium AWD ER and a Premium ER in the snow here in Wisconsin. In addition to the previously mentioned initial traction for acceleration, I have experienced a huge difference in handling. The non-AWD was surprisingly okay, but subjectively, I felt I had much more control with the AWD moving about in relatively deep snow, cornering, pulling out of a slide, etc. Were my perceptions biased because I wanted to believe the AWD I purchased was worth the money? Who knows but I can assure you that in rain and snow I notice a very significant difference.

Just got the GT last weekend. The difference in handling on dry pavement is significant. Wider/lower profile tires from a different mfg (our AWD Premium has Michelins and the GT came with Continentals) and more torque make a difference. Maybe it's because it's been cold here, but it will actually break traction a bit on a dead start, something I've not noticed from my wife's Premium AWD.

We're supposed to get 4-8 in of snow this weekend. It'll be interesting to see how it does.

 

[tuminatr]

I bet there is a big difference, the GT has the same motor in the front as the back. It probably feels much more planted to the ground. I think it's also 1/2 inch lower and the wider tires is definitely provide more grip.

The Conti tires should have a different grip profile. Their signature is to make tires that are give solid grip and a lot of feedback and slowly loose traction when you push them.

 

[fixed]

AWD is necessary in the snow belt for safety. The only thing I ever added to my cars for resale value was a sunroof. Hate them, never opened it.

try again chuck from connecticut

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