Why does a vehicle need 4-wheel drive? Isn’t 2-wheel drive good enough? It is simpler to build and maintain, more fuel-efficient, and cheaper.
Four-wheel-drive vehicles, a technology that has been around for a long time, have long been recognized for their advantages. The question of why a vehicle might need four-wheel drive is not new. Many have likely pondered it, including the first person to conceive the idea. They might have wondered, ‘What if the motor powered all four wheels? What difference would that make?’
Audi was the first to make it mainstream
They might have thought this because they observed that animals with four legs—almost all except apes—could handle any terrain, climb, run, turn, and balance better. After all, they were using four legs instead of two. Even humans tend to use their hands and legs when trekking. So, four legs were better than two for anything more than simple walking and running. And perhaps a 4-wheel-drive vehicle would have similar advantages over a 2-wheel-drive one.
The benefits of 4-wheel drive were indeed realized when it was introduced in the early to mid-20th century. Initially used in military and commercial applications, it was later adapted to SUVs for off-road use, showcasing the adaptability and versatility of this technology. These vehicles demonstrated the advantages of 4-wheel drive, particularly in handling terrain, climbing, and balancing.
However, running and turning faster weren’t the hallmarks of such vehicles. Those expectations were from cars, especially from rally cars. Surprisingly, mass adoption of 4-wheel drive in passenger cars didn’t happen until Audi launched the “Quattro” in 1980. I am not saying that Audi was the first manufacturer to launch a 4-wheel drive passenger car. Others were before it, like the Jensen FF, the Subaru Leon, and the AMC Eagle. Audi was the first to make it mainstream, and it proved its superiority by winning several back-to-back rallies. And that’s what makes the launch of the Audi Quattro a notable event in automotive history.
When you encounter an Audi today, you will notice the word “quattro” around the car. This signifies that the vehicle features Audi’s renowned all-wheel-drive (AWD) technology. It is designed to provide superior traction, handling, and stability across a range of driving conditions. Audi has used this name for the AWD system after pioneering it with the Audi Quattro—the car you see above in its rally form.
Key features of the system:
- Permanent All-Wheel Drive:
- The Quattro system distributes power to all four wheels at all times, enhancing grip and control on wet, icy, or uneven surfaces.
- Torsen Differential:
- Early versions of the Quattro system used a manually lockable center differential, but later models incorporated the Torsen (torque-sensing) differential. This advanced differential automatically adjusts power distribution between the front and rear axles based on traction conditions, improving stability and performance.
- Torque Distribution:
- The system typically maintains a default front-to-rear torque split, such as 40:60 or 50:50, but can adjust dynamically, sending more power to the wheels with better traction as needed.
- Enhanced Handling:
- By distributing power to all four wheels, the Quattro system reduces understeer and oversteer, improving cornering and overall handling, especially in high-performance driving scenarios.
Most manufacturers now offer some form of four-wheel or all-wheel drive in their cars, crossovers, and SUVs. Many have introduced innovations, such as Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive, while Audi has continuously enhanced its system. We, as consumers, have Audi to thank for introducing the “Quattro” and making cars more fun and safe to drive.
P.S. Audi has a wonderful page on Quattro. If you want to learn more about this innovative technology, please visit this page. Audi also ran a brilliant ad showcasing the capabilities of its Quattro system. Watch the original ad here.
