I love my fords, and I would love to spend my life driving them, but, I have just been thinking... Other than the current Kuga, what 4WD (reasonable) family cars are there out there? and if you can get 4WD, what engine sizes are there... I would love my focus to be 4WD, and a conversion would probably cost as much as a new kuga, so any ideas? or is Ford, one manufacturer who keeps it simple?

[quote name='jeebowhite' date='29 May 2010 - 02:23 PM' timestamp='1275138782' post='83538']
I love my fords, and I would love to spend my life driving them, but, I have just been thinking... Other than the current Kuga, what 4WD (reasonable) family cars are there out there? and if you can get 4WD, what engine sizes are there... I would love my focus to be 4WD, and a conversion would probably cost as much as a new kuga, so any ideas? or is Ford, one manufacturer who keeps it simple?
[/quote]

I think the last gen sierra sapphire cossies were 4wd as was the xr4x4 i, escort cossie are the only normal cars i can think of bar things like the maverick...

In the states i think certain cars are 4wd like the faster tarus's or w/e they are (mondeo like saloon car) also along with the usuall explorer's and expedtions f - series pick up's

The day we see 4wd focus's and mondeo's i think are in the very distant future if ever unless itl be on a high power model like vauxhall have with the faster insignia's (2.0t's and vxr) rest are the usual fwd crap. Personally i quite fancy a rwd car with switchable 4wd for bad weather think that would be more fun.

Mike

i would like to know why ford never made the new rs500 4 wheel drive, i think its got too much power for being a front wheel drive but they must have had reasons

[quote name='stef123' date='30 May 2010 - 06:53 PM' timestamp='1275245035' post='83676']
i would like to know why ford never made the new rs500 4 wheel drive, i think its got too much power for being a front wheel drive but they must have had reasons
[/quote]

Its Basically Cost, to have all the cars 4wd would up the price of the rs by about 3-4k now in marketing what ever is considered the limit in what market research says people will pay, you want to be about 12.5% or more under that (excluding the profit margin)

now making them 4wd would put them too close to meeting/exceeding that 12.5% so its best to invest in better R&D for the best possible Front wheel drive system (not to mention the recognition for very good handling front wheel drive cars ever made) rrather than risk over running the 12.5% and risking lack of sales where supply exceeds demand, very costly. People love having something uncommon, now ford know that a 4wd car beaten by a FWD car is a whole new level, unparralled even in auto manufacturing and by doing this they would make less profit on each car...but in turn sell more.

By patenting the revoknuckle technology this will create barriers of entry into new markets...which means....ford can make a huge amount of profit to make up for the smaller margin on the rs by recieving money in order to allow other companies to use it. A 4wd car doesn't cost as little or produce such large advantages.

p.s. sorry for the some of the lingo and the essay (Business and engineering student here )

I Hope this helps

adz

[quote name='adz01' date='05 June 2010 - 02:01 AM' timestamp='1275702699' post='84187']
Its Basically Cost, to have all the cars 4wd would up the price of the rs by about 3-4k now in marketing what ever is considered the limit in what market research says people will pay, you want to be about 12.5% or more under that (excluding the profit margin)

now making them 4wd would put them too close to meeting/exceeding that 12.5% so its best to invest in better R&D for the best possible Front wheel drive system (not to mention the recognition for very good handling front wheel drive cars ever made) rrather than risk over running the 12.5% and risking lack of sales where supply exceeds demand, very costly. People love having something uncommon, now ford know that a 4wd car beaten by a FWD car is a whole new level, unparralled even in auto manufacturing and by doing this they would make less profit on each car...but in turn sell more.

By patenting the revoknuckle technology this will create barriers of entry into new markets...which means....ford can make a huge amount of profit to make up for the smaller margin on the rs by recieving money in order to allow other companies to use it. A 4wd car doesn't cost as little or produce such large advantages.

p.s. sorry for the some of the lingo and the essay (Business and engineering student here )

I Hope this helps

adz
[/quote]

Btw the 12.5% is a common average but i'm not 100% all auto manufacturers use the same margin of efficiency.

So, it seems ford are one who are going to keep it FWD. its a shame... has anyone here ever got stuck on Blue Bell Hill when the snow came over the last winter? this is the reason I was asking re. 4WD