Video of car with / without quattro

[toff]

Hi,

I'd love to see a video of any two Audis, both the same model and engine (2.0 TFSI A4 for example) but one with Quattro and one just FWD.

I would love to see the difference Quattro makes on a track / fast road race.

I've had a look on YouTube but can't find such a video - does anybody know of one?

Thanks
Al.

[audilicious]

If your wondering the difference between quattro and fwd in terms of handling well here's my honest opinion as I've owned both versions:

1- On dry wether, I would say the handling is about the same. The fwd has a bit more oversteer because it's f/r weight distribution difference is greater, but that is only noticable when you put them to the limits.

2- On wet, especially icey conditions, the difference is huge. Not that the fwd is terrible, but it can't compare to the stability of quattro.

In the end, what makes a bigger difference in dry conditions is suspension (sport/sline vs stock). Body roll is a major issue when cornering at high speeds with the nonsport (the unsupportive seats too!). With the sport it still exists but to a lesser degree. If you want the best out of handling, go for aftermarket coilovers.

Hope this helps (sorry I don't have videos).

source: Me taking a few a4s to the tracks in both dry/wet conditions.

[elPaulio]

Hi there,

Not really a comparison but there is a video on YouTube of a Golf 4-Motion TDi that's been chipped doing a 1/4 mile sprint against another car and OMFG! It gets off the line like a bullet and leaves a puff of blake smoke and is gone!!
I'll try and hunt it out tonight as they don't let us on YouTube at work :(

Paul :biglaugh:

[toff]

Hi,

Thanks kindly to both of you for you replies.

It's been very wet indeed in my area lately, I certainly enjoy pulling out of junctions safe in the knowledge I won't be stuck wheel-spinning half-way out of a junction or the EPS killing the power etc! :)

I would love to know how much ESP interferers with the effectiveness of Quattro. I know ESP compliments Quattro in terms of safety - I'm referring to how much it kick's in to spoil your fun where Quattro alone would provide an entertaining drive (I have to ask because I'm took chicken to turn-off ESP and find the limits myself!)

For example: when you are going round a bend quickly in the dry and the back starts to slip-out, what kicks-in first a) the ESP / EDB before the Quattro corrects the oversteer or b) does the Quattro correct the slip by re-distributing the power to one of the front wheels before the ESP / EDB kicks in?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated :)

Thanks
Al.

[adamss24]

Hi,

Thanks kindly to both of you for you replies.

It's been very wet indeed in my area lately, I certainly enjoy pulling out of junctions safe in the knowledge I won't be stuck wheel-spinning half-way out of a junction or the EPS killing the power etc! :)

I would love to know how much ESP interferers with the effectiveness of Quattro. I know ESP compliments Quattro in terms of safety - I'm referring to how much it kick's in to spoil your fun where Quattro alone would provide an entertaining drive (I have to ask because I'm took chicken to turn-off ESP and find the limits myself!)

For example: when you are going round a bend quickly in the dry and the back starts to slip-out, what kicks-in first a) the ESP / EDB before the Quattro corrects the oversteer or b) does the Quattro correct the slip by re-distributing the power to one of the front wheels before the ESP / EDB kicks in?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated :)

Thanks
Al.
Hi, many quattro's come with EDL(electronic diff. lock) and that is supposed to stop the spinning wheel and let the power go to the wheels with more grip. I had an older shape a4 2.5 tdi quattro and it was sublime, both in the wet and in the dry...i do have now FWD cars and the difference is huge in terms of stability and feel... you would probably chicken-out before the quattro diff will start to work, the feeling that it works in the background is reasuring. However, if you are planning to keep it on motorways, quattro is wasted, if you drive on a lot of B-roads, then the quattro comes into its own. By the way, ESP is good when you drive in a straight line as it will make you go without skidding. I did have a funny experience when driving a mates quattro with ESP on icy roads, we took a bend a bit too quick and we ended up in a ditch ! Why? Because the smart ESP thought we still want to go forward and braked the wheels...My honest oppinion is electronics should not interfere with mechanical diff as it is wery good at what it does ! Watch for aquaplaning/skidding when driving a quattro, as it gives no warning when the front wheels start to spin ! Not a feeling you wanna experience....

[elPaulio]

Hi there,

As far as I was aware the Quattro is a permanent 4-wheel drive system, in so far as it doesn't re-distribute power to any wheels if they start to spin like the Haldex system in the 4-Motion VW's does. As such the ESP should only kick in if you have hit the limit of traction for the tyres as opposed to the Quattro fixing something first.

Could be wrong, but that's how I've always understood it!

And yes, that feeling of pulling out of a junction and knowing your gonna go is great, had a courtesy A4 with Quattro and loved every second of it!! Even though it was a B6 SE 1.9TDi :D

Paul :biglaugh:

[adamss24]

Hi there,

As far as I was aware the Quattro is a permanent 4-wheel drive system, in so far as it doesn't re-distribute power to any wheels if they start to spin like the Haldex system in the 4-Motion VW's does. As such the ESP should only kick in if you have hit the limit of traction for the tyres as opposed to the Quattro fixing something first.

Could be wrong, but that's how I've always understood it!

And yes, that feeling of pulling out of a junction and knowing your gonna go is great, had a courtesy A4 with Quattro and loved every second of it!! Even though it was a B6 SE 1.9TDi :D

Paul :biglaugh:
Actually, the Torsen quattro is a true 4 wheel drive butt the EDL(diff lock !)does just that by means of using the ABS sensors and braking the spinning wheel ! Also the centre diff can shift power up to 20/80 between the axles....scarry when the front wheels are aquaplaning as it will behave like a rear wheel drive car on ice !

[elPaulio]

Hey there,

Cool, didn't realise that it could shift the power!! But yeah, sounds a bit scarry ;)

As far as I remember the EDL only works up to 25mph though, as my Golf Mk5 had EDL and it was useless as the wheels would spin up past 25mph before it would get a chance to work. Better that than cooking the brakes I suppose ;)

Paul :biglaugh: