All-Wheel Drive (AWD) generally reigns supreme in Forza Horizon 4, offering significant performance advantages, especially in higher classes like S1 and above. The lack of simulated drivetrain loss in the game minimizes the benefits of Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) and Front-Wheel Drive (FWD), making the slight PI (Performance Index) reduction for these drivetrains less impactful than other upgrades. While some lower-powered cars in D and C classes might benefit from focusing PI elsewhere, AWD’s superior traction often makes it the optimal choice for most vehicles.
However, understanding how to tune RWD cars to mitigate traction loss can be crucial for specific builds or personal preference. One approach involves softening the suspension springs, allowing the chassis to lean back more gradually during acceleration and reducing the sudden weight transfer to the rear wheels. This can negatively impact handling and may require raising ride height to avoid bottoming out, further affecting cornering performance.
Another strategy is to set rear camber to 0 degrees. This maximizes straight-line grip at the expense of cornering ability, potentially proving beneficial on tracks with long straights and high-horsepower cars. Adjusting gearing, particularly increasing the first gear ratio or upshifting early, can help manage wheelspin by smoothing out power delivery.
Tire selection plays a vital role in traction. Drag tires provide exceptional straight-line grip but sacrifice cornering performance. Generally, maximizing rear tire width and upgrading to race tires should be prioritized. Lowering tire pressure increases the contact patch but negatively impacts handling and increases the risk of overheating, a common issue with RWD cars due to wheelspin.
Ultimately, the most fundamental technique for managing RWD traction is throttle control. Gradually applying throttle instead of flooring it, especially at lower speeds, prevents sudden wheelspin and maximizes power delivery. Avoiding 100% throttle application until higher speeds allows the car to maintain grip and accelerate more efficiently. Mastering these tuning techniques and driving strategies is essential for extracting the most performance from both AWD and RWD cars in Forza Horizon 4.
