FWD vs AWD: Is Audi's Quattro All That It Is Cracked Up To Be?

FWD vs AWD: Is Audi's Quattro All That It Is Cracked Up To Be?
I was asked to do a comparison on two cars with very similar credentials. Both are powered by a 2-litre direct-injection turbocharged engine and both possess a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. But one big difference is that while one is front wheel drive (FWD), the other features Audi’s  Quattro all wheel drive, albeit in Haldex guise.

The two cars I am referring to are the Volkswagen GTI and the Audi A3 2.0T Quattro. I tried to assess the cars objectively, with the differing drivetrain in mind, but in truth the A3 differs so much from the GTI that it deserves a review of its own. But, that’s another article for another day, so for this piece I shall concentrate on the different driving styles the two drivetrains offer.

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LexSucksLexSucks - 10/12/2009 11:44:57 AM
-6 Boost
Mitsubishi and Subaru both have better AWD systems than Audi. Out of the premium makes? Audi has the best AWD system.


Agent009Agent009 - 10/12/2009 12:54:08 PM
+1 Boost
Nissan's is very good too.


tangotango - 10/12/2009 12:50:34 PM
+4 Boost
Actually the Haldex Generation 4, called XWD by SAAB is pretty good as well. With power going to the rear wheels on start-up it drops power to the wheels with grip during acceleration quicker. For the majority of drivers these days unless they are in extreme weather conditions (most notably, snow) AWD has no real gain over FWD or RWD. Personally, it's neither here nor there for me because it doesn't snow where I live, and wet weather isn't that big a deal for us either.


inspirion7inspirion7 - 10/12/2009 1:24:22 PM
+1 Boost
Audi has a tremendously successful AWD system no question, but its heavy and pricey. The new Haldex System as what Tango mentioned above,seems to work well, so much that Porsche is considering using it instead of Audi's Quattro system.


American ingenuity at its best. Some trivia, the Audi Quattro system was invented/developed by an American company called the Gleason Corporation.


pennfootballpennfootball - 10/12/2009 3:10:12 PM
+2 Boost
Porsche DOES NOT use Audi's Quattro System in the 911 or Turbo jsut the silly SUV FYI. Porsche uses their own in house designed magnetic clutch pack now, before they used a viscous coupling unit.


inspirion7inspirion7 - 10/12/2009 4:32:33 PM
+3 Boost
No one said Porsche used the Audi Quattro in its cars. Where did you get that from?


inspirion7inspirion7 - 10/12/2009 4:49:05 PM
0 Boost
Porsche doesn't use the Quattro system. You would think they would being part of Audi/Porsche Volkswagen. I could see from my later statement it seemed I referenced as so, but that isn't the case, sorry.


AudiNewEnglandAudiNewEngland - 10/12/2009 1:40:14 PM
+3 Boost
I just wish Audi would axe FWD. Go all Quattro or introduce RWD...Anything but FWD.


ThierryHenry14ThierryHenry14 - 10/12/2009 1:51:07 PM
+4 Boost
You know, i would say that 90% of the people who purchase the AWD, purchases it either because it comes standard, or because they need it for inclement weather. Rarely will you ever see someone buy it for performance.

With that said, not many people are able to tell the difference between FWD, RWD, 4WD, and AWD, let alone the differences between the different AWD systems.


pennfootballpennfootball - 10/12/2009 3:12:09 PM
-1 Boost
Yes BMW's new X-drive system can vector toque left to right when you are breaking or coasting on the X6, Acura's SH-AWD only vectors torque left to right when your on the gas.


aarononymousaarononymous - 10/12/2009 7:44:26 PM
0 Boost
you would want that system under braking or coasting as an active safety feature...Audi has it available as well on the new S4 and I'm sure will follow on more cars.


Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 10/12/2009 8:24:39 PM
+2 Boost
Don't most modern cars have some sort of ESP?


aarononymousaarononymous - 10/12/2009 10:43:51 PM
+1 Boost
yes most modern cars have ESP, having an active safety feature like this just adds another level of control, same as active steering.


WhelanWhelan - 10/12/2009 2:31:02 PM
+1 Boost
AWD helps you get started, and keeps you in line during cornering, but when it comes to stopping it is on the driver and their abilities more than the drivetrain.

My only argument to that would be if you had a manual AWD (or manual-like), where you could downshift and decrease speed other than using the brakes, allowing BOTH the gearing and the AWD to keep you in line and decelerating quickly. In winter driving in my Matrix XR AWD I find myself always using the L and 2. You shouldnt be going much over 30 in the snow anyways.


Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 10/12/2009 8:29:52 PM
+1 Boost
Your matrix should have esp, it will apply different pressures to the wheels to keep your car in control. By shifting down with awd you are simply bypassing this system causing all your wheels to get the same torque. If you need to make evasive maneuvers in the snow, the higher torque and lack of braking yaw control makes avoiding obstacles more difficult.


pennfootballpennfootball - 10/12/2009 3:14:48 PM
+3 Boost
the military is working on a lot of torque vectoring technology, so is Prodrive with a new rear differential they are designing like SH-AWD and the Mitsu/Saab Haledex rear differentials. The cool part about my Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is differential LOCKERS on the front and rear and middle mmm the only other truck that has them is the Benz G-550


wins555wins555 - 10/13/2009 4:23:41 AM
-2 Boost
IMO the Subaru's symmetrical AWD is the most effective and "real".


LexSucksLexSucks - 10/14/2009 1:14:10 PM
+1 Boost
Have you driven them all? What are you basing this on?
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