AWD Vehicles

All-wheel Drive (AWD vehicles) are sometimes referred to as “4×4″ and Four-wheel Drive. These terms refer to a vehicle which has a drive train that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine at the same time. This feature is generally thought of as being best suited for trucks and off road vehicles however in reality it is very useful for regular cars which are used in daily driving; especially in inclement weather.

The first All-wheel Drive vehicle (as recorded by history) was designed by Ferdinand Porsche and utilized an electric hub motor at each wheel. It was built in 1899 and present in 1900 to the public. The first All-wheel Drive car with a combustion engine was called the Spyker 60 H.P. was presented by the Dutch brothers Jacobus and Hendrik-Jan Spijker (Amsterdam) in 1903. All-wheel Drive vehicles remained expensive and uncommon until around 1980 when American Motors the Eagle which was the world’s first complete line of permanent automatic all-wheel drive vehicles.

AWD vehicles require differentials to account for the added physics of having power supplied to all four wheels otherwise the vehicle would constantly slip out from under the driver and fight with the driver through turns. As such each powered axle needs a differential to distribute power between the left and the right sides. In the case of an All-wheel Drive vehicle, a third differential is commonly used to distribute power between the front and rear axles in addition to the two required (one on the front and back axle) to distribute power between the left and right sides.

All-wheel Drive vehicles commonly extend the principal of Traction Control to all three differentials to limit the amount of slippage experienced. There are several types; the most common being a computer-controlled multi-clutch plate which functions by locking the shafts when the computer senses slippage. Many lower cost All-wheel Drive vehicles will operate on a completely different principal which causes them to function as 2WD (Two-wheel Drive) vehicles under normal conditions. Once slippage begins to occur a locking mechanism joins the front and rear axel. This system usually distributes power very unevenly and therefore does not help prevent loss of traction under normal driving conditions but rather works to restore traction if slippage does occur.

The most common uses for All-wheel Drive vehicles include driving in the winter when the road is slippery with snow and ice. Driving in heavy rain conditions where a normal vehicle would loose traction. Driving under roads which may be slick due to other conditions such as when they are sandy or covered in large amounts of dirt of sediment and of course; off-road driving and desert driving. The invention and implication of the All-wheel Drive vehicle has revolutionized vehicle performance in less than ideal conditions and currently the three major US Car Manufactures; Ford, Dodge & GMC all offer complete All-wheel Drive lineups as well as many international car manufactures.

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When purchasing a new car we all want to get the most bang for our buck. One way to do this is to choose a vehicle with maximum performance and safety, such as some of the newer models of AWD vehicles.

A great choice for all around luxury and performance is the BMW 3-Series 328i. This vehicle combines sportiness and driving pleasure, it is also not too hard on the eyes. It comes with a powerful six-cylinder engine for quick acceleration and a smooth ride. The interior is roomy and comfortable and has all of the normal luxury features such as heated seats and a GPS.

If you want to save a little money and have a little less luxury you can’t go wrong with a Subaru AWD. After all, they are the original all wheel drive auto makers and they know what they are doing. It is possible to get a low end Impreza or Outback model without breaking the bank. These offer secure handling and a smooth ride. They are powered by a 170-horsepower four cylinder engine. If you want a turbocharged Subaru you will have to look at the higher end models.

Another great sport sedan is the Audi A4 it has a sleek design and comes with a turbo 4 cylinder-engine. These cars look amazing and have all the comfort of a sporty luxury car. It comes with all wheel drive and a 4-wheel abs braking system. These AWD vehicles offer all of the power, handling, safety, and style one would ever need.

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