Why when they offer a car in both all wheel drive and two wheel drive does the two wheel drive get the bigger engine offered. For example the lexus IS only comes in a V6 in the AWD trim. Same thing with the GS, Also the BB in Japan in AWD comes with a 1.3 liter not the 1.5. Seems like you would want more guts to push more mechanicels around. The only thing I can think of is that the larger engines won't fit with the larger trannys envolved with AWD.

 

I guess its as confusing to others as it is me.

 

In the cases you mentioned above, I'm guessing you're right. I know with the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe, the 2ZZ-FE engine doesn't have as good of a torque curve as the 1ZZ-FE, so they use the smaller engine because it produces more torque through the powerband. I can't comment on the bB and GS, though.

 

myabe to help the fuel mileage?

 

Probably something to do with Japanese auto tax laws. People want AWD. But bigger engine AWD is costly vs. smaller engine AWD. It is very expensive to own a car in Japan. Such laws are also in place in Europe. So most people buy smaller fuel efficient cars and spend money on other goods.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2022.html