Anyone know what the difference is? Acura claims it has one of the better AWD system is it true?

 

Short-handed AWD system?

 

SH= super-handling IIRC

 

Yep, debuted in the '97 Prelude as the Type-SH w/ Active Torque Transfer System (ATTS), later adapted into the SH-AWD modles like the RDX and RL/TL.

 

i doubt its better than s-awc since s-awc was developed for the track. and mitsubishi has more experience with awd systems than just abt any car manufacturer.

 

last i read it was pretty much that same exact technology as sawc but the above comment about the track is full of

 

i made a similar thread not too long ago - I was thinking about sh-awd but I think it's more performance oriented.. Audi's, on the other hand...

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...ml#post8227385

 

I have both cars, an 09 Acura tl - awd and evo x. IMO it's not a fair comparison since you're comparing a luxury sports sedan vs. the high performance sedan. Both, X and tl offer superior traction in all weather condition, but due to ayc mitsu. has an edge over acura. Add to that the vague, electric steering feel, added weight doesnt help tl either. However, I believe acura has superior awd system when comparing with luxury automakers such as bmw, infiniti and audi.

 

I believe A-AWC = SH-AWD + performance tuning.

Interestingly, my friend has an 09 RL, and the AWD in that car is prone to not working correctly. Every other time I drive that car, a million warnings go off in the instrument panel, and one of them is the SH-AWD system. Bam, the RL becomes FWD.

Spinning the front tires of an AWD car at a red light when the road is wet...makes me reminds me of my MS3.

 

Apples to oranges. One's developed for all-out performance, the other was developed for superior all-weather traction.

 

also add the r34 skyline and its attesa et-s system too if you gonna compare awd.

 

definitely disagree compared to audi - audi is the grandaddy of awds, and their new active rear diff is pretty sick from what I've heard

 

It's all exactly the same thing: Torque Vectoring

While torque certainly isn't a vector, the phrase is only just describing the ability to transfer a greater amount of power to one wheel than normally possible (for example in a regular lsd, not torsen, only half the torque can be delivered to either wheel.

The only real active differential in the evo is the rear diff. The center diff is "semi-active" meaning it can vary it's locking ratio... it CAN NOT transfer torque like the rear diff can.

Having said that... it's very possible that other manufacturers have more sophisticated systems.. for example a fully active center diff or active front diff.

Trying to compare acronyms across different manufacturers is useless... so is saying one is more performance oriented than another.

What is all comes down to is : # of fully active diffs and the algorithm used to turn sensor input to actuation.

I've done some research on this subject (trying to put it in my schools fsae car) and the biggest short coming is the hydraulic system needed for a diff to be fully active. There are some methods out there such as the "fiddle brake" where it uses the inner brake to cause greater than %50 torque transfer which may be the most realistic solution for most cars out there. It's the reason you saw bmw switch to an open differential that some people called an "electronic limited slip diff". Most people threw a god damn hissy fit but the physics say the open diff + fiddle brake system is just as good (and lighter) as the evo x ayc diff.

 

well I drove and compared the s4, a6, a4 with the tl-sh awd and found the tl more agile with more grip. Tl just felt more lively during cornering!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJZxVefta68

 

I actually asked myself this question several weeks ago. But I didn't find any articles online that really compared the two systems.

I remember watching that GT Channel (on GT5 Prologue) documentary about the Evo X and the interviewer asked the designers and lead programmer for the SAWC about Accura's SH-AWD...they pretty much said that they are keeping their eyes on their competition but not much else.

But I think someone else already mentioned the torque vectoring thing or yaw control. I think SH-AWD has the superior system if its all about torque vectoring. Since it can pretty much transfer all power to one wheel. I'm sure with more testing and tuning they can get a performance oriented version out pretty easily.

I think the S-AYC system uses a combination of active torque transfer and braking to control power to the two rear wheels.

Someone mentioned the ATTESA system, but I don't think that system has torque vectoring and it might not need it since it is not a FWD biased system.