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Old 07-15-2009, 03:29 AM   #1
JonnyC
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Default Does Subaru have the best AWD system?

With pretty much every manufacture making AWD cars now, I'm curious to know which company has the best? I've heard good things from Acura's SH-AWD, Quattro, xDrive, etc. Who has the best?
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Old 07-15-2009, 03:31 AM   #2
DHRDAN
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quattro.

/thread.
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Old 07-15-2009, 03:35 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DHRDAN View Post
quattro.

/thread.
This.
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Old 07-15-2009, 03:43 AM   #4
Prevent
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probably not, like above the quattro has gotten really good.


is there better out there? Maybe...


Is the subaru awd system good though ? You bet, it's up there in the ranks.
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Old 07-15-2009, 03:45 AM   #5
801_STi
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audi audi audi audi audi audi audi audi

all day long

amazing difference
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Old 07-15-2009, 03:49 AM   #6
Rxsti7
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audi start it all.
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Old 07-15-2009, 04:05 AM   #7
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they all act in different ways, i think it depends on your style of driving yea haha!
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Old 07-15-2009, 04:44 AM   #8
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I like my 5 speed awd because of the 50/50 torque front to rear. A lot of other awd systems vary a lot and dont stay locked.
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Old 07-15-2009, 04:52 AM   #9
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It terms of "mechanically" controled AWD, Subaru is one of the top producers I think. Once you start to add in electronics then it gets into the grey area. Very vauge and unsupportive, I know. But it's 2am, so thats all.
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Old 07-15-2009, 04:58 AM   #10
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as usual with cars, it comes down to personal preference. My "preferences": best overall for mud/snow while still good at handling= audi torsen based system(not their haldex) unless it has been toned down in recent years by cost cutting or something. Most fun=gt-r because it can behave kind of like rwd some of the time.
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Old 07-15-2009, 05:03 AM   #11
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for the price i would say heeeellll yes FWT
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Old 07-15-2009, 07:38 AM   #12
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There is a pretty big difference between different Subaru models, WRX and WRX STI for example or even WRX 5mt to WRX auto...

And it depends on what you are doing with the car. I think the WRX STI is one of the best compromises for track AND adverse conditions. WRX is amazing in adverse conditions (the less traction the better is shines over other manufactures designs).

I think you'd have to be a little more specific. But to answer your question, no its not the BEST. But its definitely not the worst either...
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Old 07-15-2009, 07:41 AM   #13
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quattro.....

subaru is good, acura sh-awd is good (it helps in normal dry driving a bit as well), but audi def. takes the cake
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Old 07-15-2009, 08:16 AM   #14
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I'd say subaru makes a solid, dedicated AWD platform, but (at least eh 5mt) it's very basic. By no stretch of the imagination is it the best.

It is, however, the cheapest.
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Old 07-15-2009, 08:23 AM   #15
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Audi has a very good system. I actually might be driving an Audi if they didn't have all the reliability issues and weren't so heavy.
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Old 07-15-2009, 09:12 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rossl View Post
Audi has a very good system. I actually might be driving an Audi if they didn't have all the reliability issues and weren't so heavy.
Ditto. If they weren't POS' I would have one too.
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Old 07-15-2009, 09:21 AM   #17
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At least the earlier SH-AWD were very front biased. I have a buddy with an RL and had the displeasure of trying it out a few times. But the short answer to the question is NO, quattro is better.
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Old 07-15-2009, 09:31 AM   #18
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Actually the quattro is not. Subaru has the best AWD.

Audi was not the first AWD system either. They had the first full time awd, and they were the first to use it in Rally-x.

If you get on youtube there was a test done by a major automotive manufacturer (type in AWD test or comparison)(I think VW did it) where they tested Ford, Subaru, Audi, Honda, VW, and a few others AWD systems.

Subaru was the only one who passed every test.

Subaru is the only symetrical system out there on the market. They had a test on a elevated ramp where they simulated only 1 wheel having grip the others were on rollers. Subaru was the ONLY vehicle that still climbed it.

Audi has to much torsion in their driveline because they do not have a symmetric design. As soon as their center diff starts to transfer the power the longer axle acts as a torsion bar and prevents movement.

The quattro system is a nice system, but it is not the best.
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Old 07-15-2009, 09:34 AM   #19
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I cannot view u-tube at work, but I believe this is the link.

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Old 07-15-2009, 09:42 AM   #20
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I was watching some comparos and they said that quattro is not "full time" AWD. This coinsides with ilvdrt's post. cant find the vid right now.
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Old 07-15-2009, 09:51 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VIR-CDOC-GUY View Post
I was watching some comparos and they said that quattro is not "full time" AWD. This coinsides with ilvdrt's post. cant find the vid right now.
the real longitudinal drivetrain layout is "Quattro" This is a TORSEN system that is full time AWD.

The A3 and TT's use a Haldex with is more like the units from Honda, electronicly controlled and front bias

I had a chance to drive the VP of Subaru's R&D from Atlanta to OK, City a few years back. When I asked him why Subaru switched from 4wd to AWD he told me it was because of the Audi Quattro system.
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Old 07-15-2009, 09:59 AM   #22
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Do any of the competing AWD designs allow for a central diff lock, or do all these cars effectively become 1-wheel-drive if the other three hang in air?

EDIT: allright, i know this topic has already been beaten to death. I just have that ONE specific question, namely ability for a lock-up in case of a total grip loss, as most of differential designs DO require a minimum amount of torque even @ the slipping wheel. By the way, for the newbies, look at

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=423584
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=325909
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=246196

Last edited by Bluefoton; 07-15-2009 at 10:12 AM.
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Old 07-15-2009, 09:59 AM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DHRDAN View Post
quattro.

/thread.
This x2
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Old 07-15-2009, 10:00 AM   #24
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no one mentions ATTESA it IS one of the most advanced and best AWD systems in the world.
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Old 07-15-2009, 10:18 AM   #25
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evo <---
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