I think for a long time the technology wasn't available to make high HP reliable AWD cars. But now there are more and more every year. Volkswagen (r32), Audi(rs4), Subaru(Sti), Nissan(skyline), Porsche, Lambos...and a bunch I can't think of... If you look at the GT3 class Audi's AWD cars pretty much dominate.

On the other hand RWD technology has been around for ages and its cheaper and easier to do high HP RWD. RWD if I am not mistaken has been around the longest. I think RWD is pretty much close to its pinnacle and AWD has a long way to go but RWD has an 80 year head start especially in the high performance sports car arena.

I prefer AWD because you can accelerate earlier out of turns AWD cars in general seem more predictable at their limits when cornering. You can't make that same generality with RWD cars because weight distribution plays a larger factor... An RX8 is very predictable at its limits because it has perfect weight distribution... a Z when driven to its limit in a turn would be more apt to have the rear-end release with less warning. IMHO

Who here would rather the new skyline be RWD? Not me...

 

RWD>AWD>FWD or FWD<AWD<RWD

 

Nice. That Z driver is nuts. I wish I can drive like him.