Q7s will now be Front-Wheel Drive system?

[Nikdquik]

http://jalopnik.com/audis-high-tech-...=1456172682557

What are your thoughts?


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[LINDW4LL]

The new Q7 is not using this currently. However I'm sure we will see it rolled out to most of Audi's non-performance models over the coming years.

I highly dislike it.

[superswiss]

Lot of premature and misinformed hand waving going on on this subject. I love it how folks use the torsen quattro as their point of reference when they complain. Audi hasn't put a torsen center differential into an all-new model since the RS5. They use a crown-gear (S-tronic) or planetary-gear (Tiptronic) mechanically self-locking center differential now, which is superior to the torsen. The last torsen based models are about to stop production and be replaced with their next generation successors.

Anyway, it's not clear yet which models this new system is actually gonna go into. I believe it's already been stated that S and RS models will continue with today's quattro system with mechanical self-locking differentials. As far as this new system goes, Audi sells a line of ultra efficient models in Europe. These are special versions of their regular models. These ultra efficient models are packed with technology to lower fuel consumption. They also have a lower drag coefficient. They are called Ultra, for example there is the A4 Ultra. These models are not sold in North America yet, but most likely this new quattro system is slated for the Ultra models and nothing else. The Ultra in the name kind of eludes to that.

[LINDW4LL]

My impression is that this slated to become standard on many of the "A" level longitudinal cars- not just for special "Ultra" models. Of course, info is limited for now.

[iconoclast]

Audi hasn't put a torsen center differential into an all-new model since the RS5. They use a crown-gear (S-tronic) or planetary-gear (Tiptronic) mechanically self-locking center differential now, which is superior to the torsen.

RS7. 4M Q7.

I can't imagine a the new Q7 having a drive train revamp in the middle of it's life cycle. the federalization and costs associated with it would be high and eat into profits. Better off burying it in the next gen's pricing.

[superswiss]

RS7. 4M Q7.

I can't imagine a the new Q7 having a drive train revamp in the middle of it's life cycle. the federalization and costs associated with it would be high and eat into profits. Better off burying it in the next gen's pricing.

Are you saying that the RS7 and the new Q7 have a torsen center differential? If so you would be wrong. Below is a video of the center differential in the RS7. It's the same in the new Q7, but I don't think Audi has published a video yet. This is the planetary-gear version used with the ZF8 transmission. The second video is the grown-gear center differential used with the S-tronic in cars like the RS5 etc.

And Audi does revamp powertrains during the midcycle refresh. For example the S5 went from a V8 and Tiptronic and torsen center differential to a V6 SC and S-tronic with grown-gear center differential, so I'm not sure what your point is.

[iconoclast]

Are you saying that the RS7 and the new Q7 have a torsen center differential?

no. saying that they have torsen awd system not a BW/Haldex system or the QU system.

And Audi does revamp powertrains during the midcycle refresh. For example the S5 went from a V8 and Tiptronic and torsen center differential to a V6 SC and S-tronic with grown-gear center differential, so I'm not sure what your point is.

they did that at the peak of fuel prices and the worst financial crisis since the depression. also those were already federalized systems in their sister vehicles. name another time in audi history they did this? my point is that the new Q7 just debuted, if they were going to put this running gear in it they would have from jump street. (IMO)