Every automotive enthusiast knows about Audi quattro all-wheel drive. quattro has been synonymous with Audi since the 1980s and today is offered on every one of the German automaker's luxury vehicles. Audi Quattro all-wheel drive has been featured on Audi rally racing cars and has been a significant part of the automaker's success in motorsport over the last four decades.
For consumers, quattro AWD symbolizes safety and confidence behind the wheel. Designed to take on any weather, quattro all-wheel drive provides a stable and poised driving experience in difficult Canadian winters while also optimizing performance on clear roads, both when accelerating in a straight line or going around a corner at speed. Here we take an in-depth look at the quattro AWD to better understand how it works and benefits Audi owners.
How does Audi quattro AWD work?
The Audi quattro system has significantly evolved since it was introduced in 1980. The introduction of a Haldex coupling on the Audi TT in 2000 demonstrated Audi's ability to customize the system for any vehicle in the German automaker's lineup. Audi quattro can pair with four or six-cylinder gas-powered engines or the unique five-cylinder powertrain in the TT. It can also pair with hybrid engines and the latest generation of Audi electric motors.
Depending on the vehicle, there will be different layouts for the quattro all-wheel drive system. The technology uses different elements, including mechanical and electronic components and sensors, to monitor driving conditions and stability. When the current generation of the Audi Q5 was introduced, Audi engineers also gave us the first iteration of quattro Ultra, a quattro system that is significantly more efficient thanks to its ability to disconnect the rear axle when road conditions are clear.
The Audi quattro system may differ in its engineering from one model to the next, but the basic principle of the original system holds in modern Audi vehicles. The primary and distinctive characteristic of quattro AWD is that at any given moment, torque and power are distributed to each axle. The exception is when the quattro Ultra system disconnects the rear axle, but this is only done to save fuel when four-wheel traction is not required. In any other situation, quattro continuously distributes power to the front and back of the Audi vehicle, allowing for constant grip that does not have the split-second hesitation associated with transferring power to an axle that isn't being served. As road conditions worsen or change, you do not feel a loss of traction or grip from behind the wheel. The system constantly delivers power where needed to make your driving experience as linear and as comfortable as possible.
With quattro all-wheel drive, you enjoy the ultimate in stability and handling with exceptional fuel economy to go along with it. Discover the benefits of quattro AWD today and take on Canadian winters with absolute confidence.
