AWD systems compared
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From: Palm Harbor, FL
Originally Posted by aklucsarits,Aug 7 2007, 07:41 AM
"AWD systems compared, ...which is the best?"
Best for what?
Best for reliability?
Best for driving your family around in the winter?
Best for rally racing?
Best for dry, tarmac performance?
The right answer to each of those questions will be pretty different.
Andrew
Best for what?
Best for reliability?
Best for driving your family around in the winter?
Best for rally racing?
Best for dry, tarmac performance?
The right answer to each of those questions will be pretty different.
Andrew
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From: Queen City, NC
[QUOTE=Iceman1,Aug 7 2007, 11:01 AM] greatest AWD ever designed is on the Porsche 959... it re-distributed front-rear torque bias on the fly based on throttle position sensor's... well... and it was good enough to with the Paris-Dakar Rally...
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From: Palm Harbor, FL
Originally Posted by Saki GT,Aug 7 2007, 08:17 AM
Yes, Porsche's awd is very comprehensive for tarmac imo, but nothing works as well as Subaru's symmetrical AWD - its also about 25 years more developed and available on more practical cars than a 969 
Like the 969's, Subaru's awd is active, meaning you truly get awd all the time, not just in reaction to road conditions. It means the car always drives the same and is always ready for traction issues because its already maximizing grip among the wheels. I'll also point out that Subaru and Porsche both use boxer engines for their low center of gravity...
One reason I like Subaru's layout better than Audi's is that Subaru does a better job with weight distribution in its chassis, while Audi tends to have front-heavy cars that produce more understeer.
Of course, Audi's awd is still preeminent imo. Subaru offers cars from roughly $20k to $40k, an Audi's range extends from $25k to, well, $120k with the R8, so there's somethng in every price range for you.
Like the 969's, Subaru's awd is active, meaning you truly get awd all the time, not just in reaction to road conditions. It means the car always drives the same and is always ready for traction issues because its already maximizing grip among the wheels. I'll also point out that Subaru and Porsche both use boxer engines for their low center of gravity...
One reason I like Subaru's layout better than Audi's is that Subaru does a better job with weight distribution in its chassis, while Audi tends to have front-heavy cars that produce more understeer.
Of course, Audi's awd is still preeminent imo. Subaru offers cars from roughly $20k to $40k, an Audi's range extends from $25k to, well, $120k with the R8, so there's somethng in every price range for you.
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From: WA
The new Saab 9-3 reportedly will be offering a fourth-generation Haldex unit with electronic controls that gets a couple of good early reviews. Is this unit used in any of the cars discussed... anyone know how it compares?
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From: Orlando
Originally Posted by CKit,Aug 7 2007, 10:18 AM
Isn't the Saab a rebadged Subaru?
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From: Queen City, NC
Originally Posted by Sabre,Aug 7 2007, 02:36 PM
To my knowledge only the 9-2x was based on a subaru.
Other than that, they are GMs
Other than that, they are GMs