the same goes for rear wheel drive.
even on equal length driveshafts with enough torque/twist you will get rear wheel torque steer.
its not a problem that is fwd exclusive.
The only cars that are a little more except to this issue are AWD cars. And that is only on CERTAIN AWD cars with intelligent torque vectoring AWD.
Hypothetically if a front wheel drive car had equal length driveshafts it wouldn't have any more torque steer than a RWD would with the rear wheels (I know rear wheels dont steer)
Having an LSD makes a big difference for front wheel drive cars.
These GLAs and CLAs dont really make enough power where torque steer is a massive problem.
Plus they are haldex AWD systems... At wide open throttle the car won't even transfer all the power to the front.
And those pesky electronic steering systems will continue to try to numb out any torque steer you do get.
There are more things to contribute to torque steer than just FRONT WHEEL DRIVE
The causes of torque steer are:
- non symettrical design in the drive shafts (different lengths)
- movement of the engine / engine mounts not strong enough
- driveshafts torque inequality
- suspension tolerances (bushings flex)
- alignment! yes!
There are ways to solve torque steer in front wheel drive cars without having to tamper with the power steering system. Manufacturers just dont bother because most FWD cars dont really make enough power.
The only cars today that are FWD that are high powered that I can think of is the Mazdaspeed 3, Golf GTi, Acura TL FWD, Honda Accord V6, Ford Focus ST, some Vauxhalls.
There might be more but all of these cars are honestly just ASKING for it.
V6 or Turbo 4 in a FWD platform? There will be torque steer.
but honestly the only car that I hear lots of complaints regarding torque steer for is the Mazda Speed 3. That car pulls HARD to one side.
Most other cars have light torque steer that you can combat by just simply holding the steering wheel. The MazdaSpeed 3 still pulls to the side even if you try your best. Its pretty gnarly.
And I think thats Mazdas fault for not taking steps to prevent it
I have driven 500+whp FWD cars before that barely had any torque steer.
Keep in mind all the dam bushings in this car were solid and the axles were upgraded to new ones that were as thick as my leg lol.