I’ve never seen this hammered out in any mags but I’ve always wanted to know, once and for all, who has the best full time all wheel drive system.

I was always under the impression that Subaru’s AWD is the most sophisticated and advanced.

But I also know that Audi’s and Porsche’s are top notch too.

Any ideas?

 

Subaru's is probably the simplest from what I have read. Some VAG systems are 100% front torque bias until slip is detected which is not so good.

You haven't included the Skyline's or Evo's systems which arguably could be argued to be the best of all, especially given the Skyline's superb lap times?

 

The Evo 7 is the most sophisticated in the world with adjustable Active Centre Differential giving it 3 times the differential limiting capacity of the viscous coupling unit.The ACD is also integrated with Active Yaw Control which is in the rear diff which regulates the torque spilt between the rear wheels.The ACD helps traction out of a corner and the AYC enhances grip and steering response through it.It also has sports ABS ( i can't remember the proper term ) which applies brake force depending on the steering wheel position, AYC and ACD.
J

Until you know you will never know, but when you know you will know.

 

Sounds like jason has got a good point, think skylines is pretty impresive too, john only the newer cars like the tt and s3 have that set up. the bigger cars use to have torsen diff, well quattro 20v did, it adjusts the power ratios berween 50/50 75/25 25/75 depending on which wheels are gripping, also have diff lockswhich is pretty good if you get stuck. think the suru awd is quite agricultural. cheers Lee

 

Why not try some on GT3 and see what lap times you get - I get the best with the powerful Calsonic **(RWD)** Skyline and the mad American 600bhpish thing that spins all the time - when I stop it spinning! But that is just raw power.

 

The new STI`s AWD system is pretty advanced, as far as i know. It also has gravel/tarmac/snow thing -- the evo 7 has -- only, it isn`t called that way.
By the way, there was a winter AWD test (in snow) in the German Sport Auto carried out by Armin Schwarz. Audi RS4, Porsche 911 turbo, Evo 6, Subaru WRX MY2001, VW Bora 4motion, BMW 330 ix. Uphill the WRX was the fastest, downhill second behind the Evo 6, but took overall victory.

 

The Mitsi seems to have it and it seems that the Subaru AWD is not as cutting edge as I thought.