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Sedans Ultimate AWD Sports Sedans
828 messages, Last post on Oct 03, 2009 at 9:40 PM
You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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Replying to: dfrancia (Mar 06, 2006 2:28 pm) Volvo's version is 95% FWD "at rest" and can move power in reaction to wheel slippage. Infiniti's version is biased "at rest" to be an RWD car, and the faster it goes, the more RWD-like it becomes. It, too, reacts to wheel slippage and shifts power where it is needed. Most of the primary and secondary roads eventually are plowed to a reasonable (whatever that means) depth after a snow event. Having said that, during the snow event or during the plowing, the depth of the snow may be greater than a normal ground clearance sedan can straddle, so to speak. Even with pure winter tires, even with studded tires if the depth exceeds the ground clearance, no AWD system is of much use. I, too, have done things I do not suggest others do -- I kept 4 UHP Z rated summer only tires on a 2003 Audi allroad through the winter here in SW Ohio (which normally is very "moderate" insofar as snow accumulation is concerned.) In one year, however, we did have a bad winter season (for a couple of days) and although I was never stranded, the tires were less than desirable. The main advantage of UHP all season tires is their resistance to cold temps, not their superior snow traction. With the AWD systems, however, UHP All Seasons, even here would rarely be inadequate. With either of the cars you have chosen you will find, broadly speaking, superior winter capabilities. I would choose the car, however, on the other characteristics, capabilities and content given your two choices. If your only concern is snow traction, to underscore the point, flip a coin; and, based on your location, consider all season or two sets of wheels and tires. The Volvo has ONE key advantage over the Infiniti -- and that is the Volvo S40 w/AWD (and a nifty turbo 5) can be had with a sport suspension AND AND AND a manual transmission. For me, the Volvo should only be acquired with the stick shift. Given your two choices if you must have the auto trans, go with the Infiniti for many reasons you will be able to glean here with some research on edmunds. Drive it like you live. 
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Replying to: markcincinnati (Feb 25, 2006 6:06 pm) This is also borne out anecdotealy by acquaintances who have a particular car in both 2 and 4 wheel drive. The 4 wheel drive car always gets a few mpg less with the same driver/driving patterns. I'm not saying it doesn't exist, but i can't think of one car that gets better MPG with an AWD drivetrain when it's also available with the same engine/tranny in 2wd.
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You might say it has too much power. I'd get a winter beater too, if I had one. -juice |
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Replying to: dhanley (Mar 08, 2006 5:14 pm) The point of my summary of someone else's findings was to present some findings that while perhaps specious may actually be factually based rather than "made up." "This means that given an “efficient” transmission, it is revealed that an AWD drive-line, in addition to all its other [performance] advantages, can save fuel. Moreover, this fuel saving advantage actually increases with the power transmitted." There are data that support the preceding. The info to most of us would be darn near arcane. And, despite its apparent veracity, I am not in a position to even be interested in fully attempting a full-blown "Myth-busters" on it. A college professor I had, as if that makes much difference these days, said "you need to make certain what you are reading (and writing) has the requisite verisimilitude" for you and from you. I was probably 19 and had little idea what verisimilitude meant -- so, being the dutiful and well-trained son of a librarian, I looked the word up and I can conclude that the stuff written (and summarized by yours truly) seems to represent and contain the "requisite verisimilitude." I can imagine many reasons why my production Audi A6 quattro gets a mile or two lower mileage than an otherwise identical 2WD version would get. This does not mean, however, that I think Piech's (or whoever's) "discovery" of the potential for improved economy is bogus. You, after all, may be right -- but just because something seems to be counter-intuitive, doesn't mean that it is inaccurate. I am not suggesting a lengthy Thesis Defense is needed. If you find it is bogus, and want to dispute it, that is OK with me. At this point, even if the study were false, I find many more compelling reasons for the widespread adoption of AWD than reasons to the contrary.
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Seriously! Not one person has posted here in fifteen days! IT'S BEEN TWO WEEKS, AND I CAN'T THINK OF SOMETHING TO SAY! 
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I'll bite. Infiniti is supposed to debut a new G35 at NY. I wonder if the AWD model will now come with a manual trans? The S4 convertible and the Concept X (EVO) will be there too. -juice
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Replying to: esf (Mar 30, 2006 9:29 pm) I'll get my Lucy Sign that says, alternately, "Lemonade 5 cents" and "Psychiatrist 5 cents." Thirsty? Or want to discuss something? It's your nickel. 
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Replying to: ateixeira (Mar 31, 2006 7:14 am) ...People said the new TT was supposed to be at Geneva, and of course it wasn't. My only concerns with the G: Interior Refinement Lack of a real performance model (G45-i? "i" would be a trendy name for a performance model, plus it's the first letter of "Infiniti") I have an S4 Cabriolet, so I'd be happy to see the new one, but I live in Chicago... I've seen pics of the new one- looks like a less-subtle version of mine, with that grille. I give it a 9 out of 10- fix the rear lights! Mine are perfect! (or at least give it the stepped-light treatment like on the sedan) |
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the problem with the current G35 IMO is that the power band is so high in the rev's it feels like you have to stick your foot through the floor to get it to move. The Nissan 350 has a much better map in the software for torque. If they could change this in the G37 I think it would be a much "sportier" car. I guess displacement is up some in the new model as well. I read somewhere a complete redesign for the A4 is coming soon. {2007} Will the S4 come out immediately as well?
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Replying to: markcincinnati (Mar 15, 2006 2:06 pm) No need to strain your memory mark. You can look up EPA numbers online, including audi's. "I can imagine many reasons why my production Audi A6 quattro gets a mile or two lower mileage than an otherwise identical 2WD version would get." Otherwise identical? That would be interesting in regards to your point.  I know you're a huge fan of AWD, but, c'mon. If AWD got better fuel economy--it would get better fuel economy. It doesn't. As for the verisimilitude of the study, some time with google turned up only this forum. dave
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