When it comes to drifting, the type of drivetrain your car has can make all the difference in your performance on the track. Traditionally, rear-wheel-drive (RWD) cars have dominated the drift scene, but in recent years, there’s been growing interest in all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicles. With their ability to send power to all four wheels, some drivers wonder if AWD offers an advantage when it comes to getting sideways. So, is AWD better for drifting? Let’s dive into the pros and cons of AWD in drifting and see how it stacks up against its rear-wheel-drive counterpart.
What is Drifting?
Before we get into the debate between AWD and RWD, let’s define what drifting is. Drifting is a driving technique where the driver intentionally oversteers, causing the rear tires to lose traction while maintaining control through a corner. In essence, it’s all about balance and control while sliding the car sideways.
The key to drifting is maintaining this controlled slide, and for decades, RWD cars have been the go-to for this sport. But with the rise of AWD platforms in motorsports, some drifters are curious if AWD can bring a new level of performance to drifting.
Pros of AWD for Drifting
1. Improved Traction
One of the most significant advantages of AWD in any motorsport is the increased traction. Since AWD cars can send power to all four wheels, they’re better equipped to handle slippery surfaces like wet or icy roads. For drifting, this means an AWD car can have better control when transitioning between corners or on surfaces where grip levels are inconsistent.
2. Power Delivery
AWD vehicles tend to have more even power delivery, which can help drivers manage their speed and angle when entering and exiting drifts. By distributing power to all four wheels, an AWD car can recover from mistakes more quickly, making it easier to maintain control during longer drifts or more complex transitions.
3. Versatility
AWD cars are known for their versatility in various motorsports, and drifting is no exception. AWD systems can be tuned to favor rear-wheel-drive characteristics, allowing drifters to enjoy the benefits of RWD while maintaining AWD’s added stability and traction.
4. Fun Factor
For drivers who enjoy a more technical challenge, drifting an AWD car can offer a new, exciting experience. AWD drift cars behave differently than RWD cars, and learning to control them can be a rewarding challenge for experienced drifters looking to push their skills to the next level.
Cons of AWD for Drifting
1. Difficult to Initiate Drifts
While AWD has its advantages, initiating a drift in an AWD car is generally more challenging than in a RWD car. AWD systems are designed to maintain traction, so breaking the rear tires loose to initiate a slide can be tricky. This can limit your ability to easily enter a drift, making AWD cars less intuitive for traditional drifting techniques.
2. More Complex Drivetrain
AWD drivetrains are more complex than their RWD counterparts, which can lead to increased maintenance and potential issues on the drift track. More moving parts mean more potential for failure, especially when pushing the car to its limits.
3. Heavier Cars
AWD systems typically add extra weight to a vehicle, which can negatively impact its performance during drifting. A heavier car can be harder to control in a slide and may feel less responsive when making quick transitions between drifts.
4. Understeer
AWD cars tend to suffer from understeer, especially when pushing the front tires through a corner at high speeds. For drifting, this can be a disadvantage, as you need the rear tires to break traction while keeping the front wheels pointed in the right direction. Understeer can make it more difficult to maintain a clean, controlled drift.
AWD vs. RWD – The Verdict for Drifting
While AWD cars offer some unique advantages in terms of traction, power delivery, and versatility, they’re not necessarily better for drifting. RWD cars remain the kings of drift because they allow for easier initiation, better control during slides, and more precision when transitioning between drifts.
AWD is great for grip-focused motorsports like rally or time attack, where maintaining traction is key. However, in drifting, the goal is to lose traction in a controlled manner, and RWD cars excel at this. With RWD, the rear wheels handle power delivery, making it easier to initiate drifts and control the car's angle during slides.
That’s why cars like the BMW E36, Nissan 240SX, and Toyota AE86 are such popular choices for drifters—they’re RWD machines that allow for precise control and predictable handling, especially when equipped with angle kits, sway bars, and other drift-specific upgrades. At SLRspeed, we know just how important this control is, which is why we specialize in high-performance parts designed to maximize your RWD car’s drift potential.
AWD in Drifting Competitions
While AWD cars aren’t typically the first choice for drifting, they do have a place in the sport. Some professional drivers have modified AWD cars to perform well in drift competitions, often by converting them to rear-wheel-drive or tuning the AWD system to behave more like RWD. These conversions allow drivers to take advantage of the AWD platform’s power and stability while still getting the benefits of RWD drifting dynamics.
In fact, some AWD vehicles, like certain Nissan Skyline models or Subaru WRXs, have been seen in drift competitions after undergoing RWD conversions. This proves that AWD cars can be adapted for drifting, but most drivers still prefer to start with a pure RWD platform for ease of use and performance.
Conclusion: Is AWD Better for Drifting?
In short, AWD is not inherently better for drifting. While AWD cars offer more traction and stability, drifting is all about controlled oversteer and losing traction in a predictable way—something that RWD cars excel at. If you’re looking to get into drifting, especially as a beginner, a RWD car like the BMW E36 is your best bet for learning the ropes and mastering the art of the drift.
For experienced drivers who want to experiment with AWD, it can certainly be a fun challenge, but keep in mind that you may need to modify the drivetrain to get the full drifting experience. Whatever platform you choose, SLRspeed has the parts you need to take your drift game to the next level, from angle kits and control arms to suspension upgrades and more.
