S3 awd system

[Tom Leppke-Hennig]

Any of the Volkswagen/Audi Group cars with transverse-mounted engines
(Golf syncro, TT awd, S3 etc) by necessity use a different system than
those cars with a longitudinally mounted engines. This does not make them
crappy, just different.

The systems in the transverse engine VAG cars is frequently referred to
as a Haldex system, thus named for the company that manufactures the
center differential in the system. They are considered well designed,
stout units.

I think that the perception that they are less desireable comes from the
fact that they have electro/hydraulic circuits in them that the chassis
management control module can influence given inputs from wheel speed
sensors and throttle position sensors etc. ie., The control module
decides where to send torque, not the self contained, purely mechanical torsen.

While I agree that there is a certain elegance to the torsen, I am also
willing to admit that the Haldex is pretty cool, too. I think their site
has some great graphics showing how it works. It is worth checking out.

Tom LH