Rear Wings on FWD Cars - Why they may actually be a good idea...

It's pretty common to see people writing off rear wings on FWD cars as useless, but while it is true that we generally want to aim for aerodynamic balance, sometimes running a rear biased aero package can make cars run faster laptimes, even if there isn't as much downforce on the driven wheels.

Most people on the internet claim wings on FWD cars are for ricers, and while that is largely true (see my "Do Car Spoilers Actually Work?" video), in race applications there is actually a significant argument for a rearward centre of pressure created by having just a rear wing.

[YomenChannel]

2015 - Puting wing on car is RICE
2019 - Holy shit this big wing looks amazing!

[SpecialEDy]

I have an mid 90s fwd Celica, I put a factory wing from a JDM awd Celica on it. 400lbs of downforce at 120mph. It definitely makes a noticeable difference in the feel on the highway, everyday driving. The rear feels more planted, like there is a giant set of hands keeping the rear centered and hunkered down behind you. Helps balance out the oversteer when you're decelerating around a corner.

[h.mushmann]

Great topic! Front wheel drive is naturally difficult to work with and usually requires loads of rear anti-roll to achieve a desired yaw. This compensation for the understeery forward cg, results in a snap oversteer in lateral load transfer situations.

The trick to driving these cars is to be really delicate with the steering wheel and smoothly load the suspension on entry. Or hammer on the throttle when the rear end starts to come around!

[KYLEENGINEERS]

After numerous requests asking that I subtitle my videos, I've put a transcript up for this one, I hope you enjoy it because it took more time than the video did to make...

[jakecole]

Rear wings on FWD cars make no sense ? Ask pre-facelift Audi TT drivers.

[cjames]

prevents lurch under hard braking, equalizing braking force
provides downforce in high speed corners, especially over hills (understeer isn't a problem at high speeds usually unless you have too much hp and not enough throttle\brake control)

[Mr.Broccolini]

"who cares what they feel like, its faster" such an engineer thing to say lol

[krap]

Please put on some Harry Potter glasses for the next video.

[Pelllaw]

I believe him because he's a professional and he's a wizard. Lol. Love the videos keep it up

[QuakeGamerROTMG]

It's simple.
If FWD cars don't need a rear wing or spoiler then obviously rear wheel drive cars have no need for front aero either.

[tojiroh]

There's Racing.

And then there's Ricing.

[AJBCooper]

Another important thing to say is that the sort of wings ricers put on often don't create any downforce at all, just drag. But I agree a properly designed wing will definitely help an oversteer-biased FWD car. Like you pointed out traction becomes pretty much a non-issue at high speed.

[Zystus]

I like this guy better than Engineering Explained.

[halofreak]

Erm, Audi added the rear wing to first-gen TT's because it improved the car's stability on the highway, so even on normal cars, a rear wing may be a good idea, depending on the car's design.

[sotaros]

Can you make a video about downforce in relation to speed? At what speed do spoilers, splitters, floors and diffusers start to generate meaningful downforce? (primarily for single seaters and slow corners) It would also be interesting to see how manufacturers make their road cars more efficient aero-wise. (maybe with some specific examples) Thank you for your very helpful videos!

[konekoray]

After years of playing around with tune settings in Forza, I finally come to realize FWD cars with a tendency toward oversteer and high rear downforce was my jam despite it going against basically every convention hammered into me before. FWD instead of RWD/AWD. Slight tendency toward oversteer over the more predictable and consistent understeer. Rear biased downforce over balanced aero...


It took me forever to figure out that that would somehow result in a car that worked, and was fast...and all I needed was to watch a six minute video.

[machine]

So that's why the rear wing works on my AWD Golf. Thanks Kyle!

[WIblader]

For straight line people my 1990 Acura integra which is stock mostly gained 2 mph in the 1/4. I couldn’t break 16.005 all day then I took the stock spoiler off and started running a pb of 15.7 at 87 mph. Around corners it’s helping throw the rear around a lot more and feels more predictable and on rails. I like It without a spoiler lol

[bawkray]

The Type R wouldn't have an oe wing that decreases performance

[ApolloVIIIYouAreGoForTLI]

We’d all choose RWD over FWD if it was alway an option & I’ve definitely overlooked some fun cars I’d never buy because they are FWD until a few years ago when I bought my Fiesta XR4/ST150.
It’s only a 150hp 2.0L but it weighs less than a tonne & it’s a blast to tear around town in.
I didn't think it was possible for a FWD get sidways with just the right amount of Yaw ... 

Ford did a really good job with the factory handling upgrades which surprised me the most as I just assumed it was the standard Fiesta with a body kit & more HP... Then to top it all off I find out after buying it that its made in Germany