Audi all wheel drive explained

All Wheel Drive
...Explained
...Safety Concerns
...Quattro Evolutions
...xDrive
...Torsen
...Haldex
...Super Select
...Torque-Vectoring AWD
...Viscous Coupling
...Differential
...Torque Split Ratio NEW!

Vehicles
...Acura
...Alfa-Romeo
...Audi
...BMW
...Bucher
...Bugatti
...Cadillac
...Chevrolet
...Citroen
...Fiat
...Ford Europe
...Ford USA
...Honda
...Hummer
...Hyundai
...Isuzu
...Jaguar
...Jeep
...Kia
...Lada
...Lamborghini
...Lancia
...Land Rover
...Lexus
...Lincoln
...Mazda
...Mercedes-Benz
...Mitsubishi
...Nissan
...Opel
...Peugeot
...Porsche
...Renault
...Saab
...Seat
...Skoda
...Subaru NEW!
...Suzuki
...Toyota
...Vauxhall
...Volkswagen
...Volvo

Videos NEW!

Testdrive

Translate this site

Search this site

Custom Search

Have something to add or noticed a mistake? Leave a comment!

Audi

Audi 80/90 quattro, Audi Quattro, Audi UrQuattro 1981-1987 - First quattro generation. Full-time all wheel drive with free differentials. Manually locking (by 2 rotating switches on the console) rear and center differentials.

Figure: Audi 80 B3 quattro

Figure: Audi 100 C3(?) quattro

Figure: Audi Quattro

Figure: quattro I transmission. On the top picture: center differential (5), center differential locking fork shaft (6), differential locking actuator (7)

Figure: Audi 100 quattro rear differential

Figure: Audi 100 quattro rear differential locking mechanism (arrow)

Figure: Audi 100 quattro center differential locking mechanism

Audi 80/90/100/200/S4 quattro 1987-1994 - quattro II. Full-time all wheel drive. Torsen center differential with automatic distribution of torque between front and rear axles. Manually activated (electro-pneumatic system) rear locking differential which automatically unlocks when speed exceeds 25 km/h.

Figure: Audi 80 B4 quattro

Figure: quattro II transmission with TorSen center differential

Figure: Audi 100 rear differential and differential lock fork(13)

Figure: Audi 100 rear differential locking vacuum pipes

Audi V8 Manual 1988-1994 - quattro III - Full-time all wheel drive. Torsen center differential, Torsen rear differential, free front differential.

Audi V8 Automatic 1988-1994 - quattro III - Full-time all wheel drive. Torque distribution via electronically controlled multi-plate hydraulic transfer clutch in the center. Torsen differential in the rear axle. Quattro was for the first time used with automatic transmission. The gearbox was the source for high pressure oil, that was used to activate the clutch.

Audi A4/A6(C4)/A6(C5)/A8/S4/S6/Allroad quattro 1994-2007, S4/S6 quattro 1994-2005 - quattro IV - Full-time all wheel drive. Torsen center differential. Electronic traction control (EDL) on front and rear axles that applies brakes to spinning wheels, which has effect of locking front and rear differentials. Works at speeds up to 40 kph (25mph). On more powerful versions S4/S6 - up to 80 kph (50mph). A8 uses EDL and ASR, which reduces engine output. It is almost impossible to lose traction with this system under any circumstances, except if one of the axles is raised in the air. Audi Allroad can feature low gearing (optional).

Figure: Audi A4 B6 quattro

Audi RS4 B7 manual/Q7 2005-..., S4 B7 manual 2006-..., A5 2006-..., A6 2006-...(verify), all A4 B8 2007-... - quattro V. Full-time all wheel drive. Torsen type III planetary type differential with a 40/60 front/rear split for improved handling.

Audi RS5 (2011-...) - quattro VI. Full-time all wheel drive. Crown gear differential with a 40/60 front/rear split.

Audi A3/S3 quattro (1998-2003) - Haldex Generation I automatic all wheel drive system - electronically controlled Haldex multi-plate hydraulic clutch, located near the rear differential. Normally front wheel drive vehicle. It detects the need of all wheel drive at 1/8 of the wheel spin and transfers up to 100% of torque to the rear axle.

Audi A3/S3 quattro (2003-2008) - Haldex Generation II automatic all wheel drive.

Audi A3/S3 quattro (2008-...) - Haldex Generation IV automatic all wheel drive.

Audi TT quattro (1998-2006) - Haldex Generation I automatic all wheel drive. Haldex Generation II automatic all wheel drive since 2002.

Audi TT quattro (2006-...) - Haldex Generation IV automatic all wheel drive.

See also: Audi's quattro Generations

Last updated: 21-May-2010 22:13

There are 7 comments

felix

March 20, 2010 - 08:04

Subject:

How about A5 quattro's AWD system?

Reply to felix

awd.ee

March 20, 2010 - 11:48

Subject:

Must be Quattro V

amidat

January 13, 2010 - 05:23

Subject:

Yes - George thanks for the correction. It is a max of 65/35 f/r. As far as weight distribution....they 4cylinder (like the wagon) is more balanced in the sedan than the V6.

Amidat

January 10, 2010 - 02:12

Subject:

I see you updated the page - but you didn't include a diagram for the B8 chassis. I do believe that generally the weight distribution front/rear is now 54/46.
Also as you indicated - the new front/rear torque ratio is a default 40:60 but you left out the variables. If I'm not mistaken (from a rep at Audi) it can vary depending on conditions between 70:30 and 15:85

Reply to Amidat

awd.ee

January 10, 2010 - 11:42

Subject: B5

Do all B8's have the quattro V system with 40:60 torque distribution, not just the S-versions?

Reply to Amidat

Amidat

January 10, 2010 - 23:04

Subject:

awd.ee - yes they do. Even a normal A4 2.0T has it.

Reply to Amidat

George

January 11, 2010 - 02:58

Subject:

The torsen3 center differential can vary +/- 25% from 40/60 nominal, 15/85 while the front are overrunning the rear, 65/35 while on rear overrun.

I have seen 54/46 on the A4 wagon [Avant] with manual transmission, and 56/44 in the sedan with V6 & automatic.