How much do you think a RWD option would cost?

[FroGTI]

I was just wondering how much - in an ideal world - a rear-wheel-drive option would cost. I realise that in reality it would involve completely redesigning the whole car, but I'm curious as to how much extra VW would make us pay for RWD if it were available as a mass-production option. Does anyone have any idea? I for one would be prepared to pay an extra grand, but maybe that wouldn't be enough...

[am1w]

Froggy:
It all depends if you want to push or pull!
RWD cars push, FWD cars pull.
RWD cars are quite useless in snow and ice.
FWD & 4WD the only way to go IMhumbleO.
With FWD, the is no massive transmission tunnel to obstruct the comfort of the middle rear seat passanger.
With the advent of all electric steering systems the purpose of RWD for unadultrated steering response is no longer valid as these steering systems are more or less devoid of feel.
RWD is great for supercars due to their prodigious power requirements and a lot of pushing is needed. For a Golf it would be pointless.
For the real world FWD is best.
Now a rear/mid engine RWD car should should be ideal. But then there are other aspects that cause impracticality.
There was an article along these lines in Autocar some months ago.
And that, my dear Froggy, is MO and I am unanimous with that!

After all this irrelevance and diatribe, my answer to your question on cost: I don't know!

BTW: Are you ordering any bits and pieces from Gulfstream? I will be, as he seems very helpful and his products are good. Also, saw German e-Bay regarding Xenons. Quite expensive once all the bits have been bought plus the installation costs.

[Snoopy]

Just pull the driveshafts out of the front of a Golf R and blank the box end up. Job done. 

[p3eps]

Just pull the driveshafts out of the front of a Golf R and blank the box end up. Job done. 

Or you could just buy a Haldex controller and set it to have all the power to the rear.
Saves tearing stuff apart!

[am1w]

Just pull the driveshafts out of the front of a Golf R and blank the box end up. Job done. 

[am1w]

Or you could just buy a Haldex controller and set it to have all the power to the rear.
Saves tearing stuff apart!

Job done!

[Awry]

You could look at the BMW 1-serie to get an idea.

Personally I prefer rwd cars and also have had no problems driving in snowy conditions. Going uphill I actually get more grip on my BMW in the snow. It's the tyres that matters most.

GTI is probably one of the best fwd cars and I can't wait to get mine in a week, but I still think a rwd car is better although more expensive to make.

[VmW]

You could look at the BMW 1-serie to get an idea.

Personally I prefer rwd cars and also have had no problems driving in snowy conditions. Going uphill I actually get more grip on my BMW in the snow. It's the tyres that matters most.

GTI is probably one of the best fwd cars and I can't wait to get mine in a week, but I still think a rwd car is better although more expensive to make.

Agreed.. As much as I love the GTI as a complete package, I do still miss the steering feedback of my 1er and its nimbleness.  I had the pre-facelift 1 series which did not have the electric power steering   

The GTI beats the 1er in practicality and overall value, though.

[FamilyDub]

It's the tyres that matters most.

^^^ Indeed.

It's not the RWD that's the issue - well, the lack of weight over the rear axle will contribute - it's the summer tyres that we all have in the UK that's the problem.

My other car is a 1-series and I don't like the set-up versus FWD or 4WD, to be honest.

[mac7]

It's the tyres that matters most.

^^^ Indeed.

It's not the RWD that's the issue - well, the lack of weight over the rear axle will contribute - it's the summer tyres that we all have in the UK that's the problem.

My other car is a 1-series and I don't like the set-up versus FWD or 4WD, to be honest.

Yep, I remember a time when most cars were rear wheel drive and the coming of snow was a time for fun and joy and much sideways action  . Tyres were narrower and cars were lighter. But put a decent set of winter tyres on a BMW and it'll be fine.

As for the price of a Golf GTI designed and built from the start with RWD, it would be the same as the FWD one.