[s-cars] G35x debate

[alexander witham]

Bob,

In case your friend isn't aware, there's a snow mode
switch either to the right of the shifter (2004MY), or
to the right and down of the steering column (2005MY).
By pressing the switch you lock the differential in a
50/50 split front to rear at speeds up to 12 MPH. It
makes a huge difference and can/will make the
difference between easily moving in snow and having
what might seem like excessive wheel spin and
difficulty. Also, disengaging VDC can be helpful
depending on the severity if the weather (ice, snow,
slush, rain, etc). Above 12 MPH, Infiniti's system
reverts back to its normal variable split.

As far as which is superior, I've driven both quattro
and ATESSA-ETS, (Infiniti's system) numerous times in
all sorts of weather and I think they both have their
distinct advantages depending on the application. For
pure snow ability I believe quattro is king, but it
comes at a price in the handling department. This is
mostly a function of Audi's nose heavy dynamics that
elicit some serious plowing in corners. It's almost
better in the snow because you can kick the gas
shooting all the power to the rear thereby swinging
the back end round and allowing you to steer/power
through the corner. Although quattro is supposed to be
a true all wheel drive system, in that the power is
split 25% to all 4 wheels @ its natural state, I sense
that it has a front wheel bias that I suspect is due
to the additional weight up front. 
ATESSA-ETS I find to be superior in dry weather as it
handles like a rear wheel drive car and seems to
enhance grip dramatically over the rear wheel drive
version. That being said, however, I still prefer the
rear wheel drive to the X anyway. I find the X adds
too much weight and compromises the fluid handling and
body motion the rear wheel drive enjoys even if the
rear wheel drive does have a tendency to want to swap
ends under aggressive driving. But, oh boy, how bad is
the rear wheel drive in snow? It's bad, especially if
you have the optional high performance tires that are
available with the Sport Package, but oh so yummy in
the dry!

Unfortunately for me though I must have AWD. If
Infiniti ever offers their G35x with a manual
transmission and the 300hp that's now available on the
2005 sedan for about $35k, I would seriously consider
moving on. Let's face it, to get that kind of
performance from a stock Audi, you've got to go to the
S4, and that's $50k +. Okay, so it's nicer inside and
quattro has a well documented 20+ year history, but
Infiniti made some nice improvements to the interior
of its '05 and their AWD system's been around almost
as long as quattro and has proven longevity and
reliability.

So that's my $.02 worth. I'd be interested to find out
what anybody else thinks. 


		
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