My Puma has developed a whining noise. Road speed related rather than engine speed (sounds the same if you coast in neutral), but sounds much the same (ie same "note") whatever speed. If it was rear wheel drive I'd say it sounded like the differential but presume front drive cars don't have them. Not a wheel bearing. Any ideas gratefully received.

Front wheel drive cars DO have a differential.

but presume front drive cars don't have them.

They do. It's still necessary to allow for the outer driven wheel to rotate faster than the inner one when cornering, regardless of which end is driven.

Could be diff, could be 'box on the output side.......could be something as simple as tyre noise.