RE: traction control vs quattro

[Reiner Fink <reinerf@microsoft.com>]

As far as my understandings go, traction control only matters at speeds
_less than_ 20 to 25 mph. Traction control helps the vehicle accelerate
by braking a slipping wheels via the ABS. What is refered to on newer
quattro's as EDL (Electronic Differential Lock) is really what WMB
owners would call traction control.

Where quattro really buys you an advantage is that you get traction
control on 4 wheels instead of two, because of the torsen center
differental. Mention the following senario to anyone who tries to tell
you that rwd with traction control is as good as quattro:

rwd car with traction control with both rear wheels on ice, but front
wheels getting good grip.

quattro (level 5, ah-la A4 A6 A8) car with both rear wheels on ice, but
front wheels getting good grip.

When the rwd car attempts to accelerate, both drive wheels will not have
traction, regardless of how the car tries to break one wheel to divert
torque to the other.

When the quattro car attempts to accelerate, the rear wheels will slip,
be breaked by ABS, torsen center diff transfers torque to the front
wheels, and the car moves.

 -reiner