Audi announced today that it has developed a new performance differential for its quattro all-wheel drive that will be available next year. The new system is able to send the engine’s power independently between the rear wheels, improving traction over the current quattro AWD. Audi claims the new setup virtually eliminates the understeer often associated with its cars.
The new system works by analyzing acceleration, yaw angle and speed to identify where traction is lost. Once slippage is detected, the system can instantly route power to the individual rear wheel with the most traction in less that 100 milliseconds. The new differential features a multi-plate clutch which is activated by an electro-hydraulic actuator.
Drivers can select from three modes on the new system; comfort–which focuses on stability, auto–which provides a balance between stability and handling, and dynamic–the purest handling mode.
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09/06, 2:38 PM
posted by:
Aston Martin
The Audi Quattro RS cas are perfectly ordinary, smart Audis which will happily tear your face off. Understatement at its very best. This new diff should make things even faster.
09/06, 2:48 PM
posted by:
Don
Acura had this a while ago, nothing new
09/06, 2:53 PM
posted by:
Bryce
Are the clutch-packs speed sensitive?
09/06, 3:08 PM
posted by:
meanpants555
This and the MLB platform are great artillery for Audi’s attack on BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
09/06, 3:17 PM
posted by:
autonut
Don you are correct: 3 Accura models will have same differential this year. And rumors on this site state that next gen TL will have one as well.
09/06, 3:21 PM
posted by:
2008PowerStrokeF450Lariat
ive always loved BMW’s, but Audi’s have always fascinted me too. i can’t wait till the new RS6 Sedan comes out
09/06, 3:54 PM
posted by:
A4
good for acura, this is about quattro, not ****tyAWD
09/06, 3:57 PM
posted by:
onramp
Yeah but the Audi S cars are performance cars, where presumably you will feel the difference with this diff (autocrossing, track days, etc.)
Acuras are for my neighbor to drive to the office and back.
The point is, yes Acura has this, but who cares if it’s not on a performance car? What typical RL owner even knows what understeer is or has ever felt it? Anybody who has autocrossed an S4 or similar knows that they push like crazy in a stock configuration…this should help that out hopefully and make it a bit more neutral.
It’s unclear from this article whether this will be on the S cars or all of them. I dont see why the average A4/6 etc would need this. s4, s6, etc sure.
09/06, 4:34 PM
posted by:
slingthird
I really hope they don’t get rid of the TORSEN as that is a major reason I like AUDI
09/06, 5:20 PM
posted by:
affliction
this is good news for audi, now put some road-feel in your damned steering wheels and you’ve got a winner….and oh yah, a diet can’t hurt either
09/06, 7:37 PM
posted by:
jamaicandude
If it’ll help cure the terminal understeer that plagues most Audi’s, I’m all for it.
09/07, 6:27 AM
posted by:
Get Real
$$$ to repair it. Not good for your reputation.
09/07, 11:09 AM
posted by:
1487_GM_SALES
#2 reason why you should never buy an Audi product?
More new sh*t that can go wrong on top of all the old sh*t. Audi will never, ever design a reliable, quality car. They’re just POS VW’s with flashy interiors (made from crap if you really analyze them) and more headaches. Audi will never be 1% of what GM offers in the Cadillac, Pontiac or buick lineup.
#1 reason? You’re an unAmerican loser if you buy one. You’re single handedly contributing to the demise of the USofA. Think about that before you buy.
09/07, 11:39 AM
posted by:
55amg
like Mitsubishi’s?
09/07, 12:12 PM
posted by:
onramp
Nicely said GM Sales…how’s that “made in China” computer working for you? How bout your “made in China” cell phone? How bout your “made in Japan” TV?
Just wondering. Maybe you should drive your american car over to Wal Mart and help support the Chinese economy.
09/07, 2:41 PM
posted by:
Noah
Onramp
Great post and comment
09/08, 6:17 PM
posted by:
norby413
Pontiac?? Quality interior??
HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH……Haha….ha……..Good one!
09/08, 6:19 PM
posted by:
norby413
“General Motors Corp. Monday said its US sales fell 25.9 percent in June, a sharp decline from last year’s incentive-boosted results”
gmsales.
What, exactly, do you sell? Not cars, obviously.
09/22, 12:02 AM
posted by:
BLISS
GOOD