Subaru Claims The Global AWD Sales Record

And anyone should care why???

Congrats Subaru! I'm a huge AWD fan since I got my first AWD vehicle. The fact that Subaru can pull off what the illustrious Audi Quattro does, less expensively and more simply (from an engineering standpoint), is worth noting, and deserving of lots of credit. Well done, Subaru!

One of the reasons I admire Subaru's implementation of AWD is that they started designing it back in the days before sophisticated electronics were available. Consequently, they had to engineer their flavor of AWD mechanically, using pure physics. They used symmetrical, equal-length drive arms to eliminate torque steer. They used mechanical means to transfer power to the wheels that have available traction. This contrasts with other manufacturers who use electronics (such as pulsing the ABS on a spinning wheel) to compensate for mechanical shortcomings inherent in their designs.

Subaru's system is extremely good because:
1) It has no inherent design deficiencies
2) It required no electronic or electro-mechanical gadgetry to compensate for shortcomings (that don't exist)
3) It's simpler (fewer parts, less complex parts) than competitors, and is therefore...
4) Less prone to failure, less needy of routine maintenance, and less costly to produce and sell.

I'm impressed by this! Anyone should be able to implement awesome AWD in a $50,000 vehicle (though not all do), but when you can implement awesome AWD in a vehicle starting at under $19,000, I respectfully take off my hat to you and say "Well done!" So "Well done, Subaru!" :-)

@TheSteve "1) It has no inherent design deficiencies"

The "symmetrical AWD" marketing ploy was designed to make a design deficiency seem a virtue.

All four wheels are always being driven and that decreases efficiency.

Smarter systems engage AWD when there is a reason to. Subaru's set up is the village idiot of the industry due to its lack of sophistication.

MDarringer wrote “…All four wheels are always being driven and that decreases efficiency…”

You are correct, but your statement does not reveal the whole story. For interested readers, additional facts to consider are:

1) All AWD cars will be less fuel-efficient compared to an otherwise identical 2-wheel drive car. This is due to physics. AWD weighs more because of the additional components required to drive the other wheels, and there will be additional losses due to resistance in those components, even in “smart” systems that (partially) disengage the undriven wheels. That’s because if you wanted to eliminate the resistance losses entirely, you have to disconnect the second drive train in its entirety, both at the transmission *AND* and the wheels (otherwise the second drive train is still being driven by the wheels).

2) The fuel penalty might not be significant. If we compare Porsche’s Carrera S (rear drive) and Carrera 4S (full-time AWD), we notice the 2WD Carrera S gets 30 MPG highway, while the AWD Carrera 4S gets only 29 MPG. A difference of just 1 MPG less fuel efficiency, to get all the benefits of AWD.


As for hating AWD, knock yourself out. AWD is not automatically superior to 2WD, but it does excel in a number of conditions:

1) Quicker acceleration in performance cars (e.g., AWD has quicker 0-60 mph times, in spite of the additional weight. Example: Porsche Carrera S vs Carrera 4S.)

2) Quicker lap times in performance cars.

3) Enhanced stability and directional control on reduce-traction surfaces, like snow, mud, or rain-slick roads.

4) Enhanced stability and directional control when conducting emergency directional changes (e.g., swerving to avoid an obstacle).

5) Enhanced ability to get moving on low traction surfaces, or to climb low traction inclines.

In the case of snow, appropriate snow tires on all 4 corners are always recommended.

Steve must be about to buy a Subaru given his sudden conversion to import tuner fanboy.

Saying that Subaru's AWD is not a desirable system id NOT saying that AWD is bad.

It's saying that of the available AWD systems out there, Subaru's is the village idiot of the bunch.

I just wish they have a conventional auto trans. I really don't care for CVTs, even though the Subaru version isn't nearly as obtrusive as some others.

The CVT has terrible NVH and then the incessant thrumming of the Super Beetle engine and I could not stand to live with a Subaru.

And anyone should care why???

Matt:

If This Was Hyundai .... It Would Be The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread !!!!

Nope. It would be just as dubious.

Everyone has AWD. Subaru's AWD is no better than anyone else's. This is not an accomplishment.

We own a 2017 Impreza with the CVT transmission and the car has a smooth, quiet drivetrain. This new generation Impreza is a really sweet car. Lots of backseat room and doors that open wide for car seats. Acceleration is acceptable and braking, steering and handling are quite good for this type of car. The old Subaru NVH characteristics are gone in the new Impreza.