Re: AWD Performance

["Psychotic Don't-you-dare-tickle-me Elmo" <honge@creighton.edu>]

>That's probably due to subaru suspension more than to subaru AWD.  The
>Subarus have a viscous-coupled AWD system - all the power goes to the front
>axel.  If the rear axel is not going about the same speed, they get locked
>together.  On the track, they'll be going the same speed and the car will be
>FWD.  The Suby is NOT a Quattro - it is more of an "as-needed" AWD system
>than a true AWD system.

Just recently, I had an exchange of e-mails with apparently a Subi fan.
>From sound of it, currently there are two setup on the Subi. One is what
you described above - forward bias, more like VW Syncro than anything
else. The other, though, is the more sensible one -- rear bias. I think
the number is something like 40:60.

The more surprising stuff is that you get the front bias with auto trans,
and the rear bias setup with manual trans!

That's one point I hated about the Mazda MPV I got -- too much power going
to the rear. The diff lock can fix that. But I'd like more automagical
power transfer before reaching for that diff lock.

I wonder what's the bias with the latest q (A4, A6, S6 1995.5, A8)??

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