The 4-Wheel Steering Concept, what happened!

[GTA45E]

I`d like to know what happened to this concept and whi car companies arn`t using this technology today. Imagine how the S-Class, Audi A8 and BMW 7er would benifit from this technology seeing thay more wheelbase to deal with.

If not those models why not AMG, M or the RS models. Thay would sweep the cones much faster than thay do!!

Is it cost? weight? why did the automakers abandon this idea!
It was under developement in the 90s than poof!! gone...


What is Four Wheel Steering?

 

[Monster]

I`d like to know what happened to this concept and whi car companies arn`t using this technology today. Imagine how the S-Class, Audi A8 and BMW 7er would benifit from this technology seeing thay more wheelbase to deal with.

If not those models why not AMG, M or the RS models. Thay would sweep the cones much faster than thay do!!

Is it cost? weight? why did the automakers abandon this idea!
It was under developement in the 90s than poof!! gone...


What is Four Wheel Steering?

The main reasons why 4 wheel steering is gone is because when the rear wheels begin to steer, it feels like the backend is suddenly letting go, and most driver does not like this sensation at all and try to correct the car even though the rear end is not losing grip at all. Modern ESP and various cornering assist programs are effective enough to improve a car's handling and this makes the 4 wheel steering idea redundant.

 

[SDNR]

The 1987 Honda Prelude was the first car to offer 4WS. Infiniti still builds models with 4WS (which is something I didn't know before)

This from Wikipedia:
Previously, Honda had four-wheel steering as an option in their 1988-1994 Prelude, and Mazda also offered four-wheel steering on the 626 and MX6 in 1988. Neither system was very popular, in that whatever improvement they brought to these already excellent-handling vehicles was offset by an unavoidable decrease in sensitivity caused by the increased weight and complexity.
Many modern vehicles offer a form of "passive" four-wheel steering, where the bushings by which the rear suspension attaches to the automobile are designed to compress in a precise direction under the forces of steering, thus slightly altering the rear suspension geometry in such a manner as to enhance stability.

Cars with four wheel steering
Citroën ZX
Efini MS-9
GMC Sierra (2002)
Honda Prelude (1988 and 2001)
Honda Accord (1991)
Infiniti G35 Sedan (option on Sport models) (2007-Present)
Infiniti G35 Coupe (option on Sport models) (2006-Present)
Infiniti M35 (option on Sport models) (2006-Present)
Infiniti M45 (option on Sport models) (2006-Present)
Infiniti Q45t (1989-1994)
Jeep Hurricane
Mazda 626 (1988)
Mazda MX-6 (1989-1997)
Mazda RX-7 (1986-1992)
Mitsubishi Galant VR-4
Mitsubishi GTO (also sold as the Mitsubishi 3000GT and the Dodge Stealth)
Mitsubishi Sigma
Nissan Cefiro (A31)
Nissan 240SX (option on SE models)
Nissan 300ZX (all Twin-Turbo Z32 models)
Nissan Laurel (later versions)
Nissan Fuga
Nissan Silvia (option on all S13 models)
Nissan Skyline GTS, GTS-R, GTS-X (1986)
Nissan Skyline GT-R
Peugeot 306
Toyota Aristo (1997)
Toyota Celica (option on 5th and 6th generation, 1990-1995)
Volvo S40/V40
Some German World War II vehicles; the Schwere Panzerspähwagen (Sd Kfz 231) 8-Rad had both drive and steering on all eight wheels.

 

[Bruce]

One thing I'll always remember is one of GM's adverts about a pickup they had with 4-Wheel steering. They had a quote something along the lines of "a turning circle better than a Lamborghini".

 

[Nuvo]

The 1987 Honda Prelude was the first car to offer 4WS. Infiniti still builds models with 4WS (which is something I didn't know before)

This from Wikipedia:
Previously, Honda had four-wheel steering as an option in their 1988-1994Prelude, and Mazda also offered four-wheel steering on the 626 and MX6 in 1988. Neither system was very popular, in that whatever improvement they brought to these already excellent-handling vehicles was offset by an unavoidable decrease in sensitivity caused by the increased weight and complexity.
Many modern vehicles offer a form of "passive" four-wheel steering, where the bushings by which the rear suspension attaches to the automobile are designed to compress in a precise direction under the forces of steering, thus slightly altering the rear suspension geometry in such a manner as to enhance stability.

Very interesting, I believe it was Volvo who started the passive 4-wheel steering with the 1994 850 GLT. It worked pretty well.