Mitsubishi‘s rally experience has contributed to the excellence of its system
Efficiency is even greater with the PHEV version, thanks to electrification
Driving modes complement the system’s characteristics
But what makes the difference? While most of you understand the basic principle of all-wheel drive (that power is sent to all four wheels to improve traction), it can be more challenging to grasp the nuances of how different systems operate.
So let’s take a closer look at Mitsubishi’s S-AWC.
More Than Simple Power Distribution to All Four Wheels
The strength of Mitsubishi‘s all-wheel drive system lies in its ability to intelligently and instantaneously distribute torque wheel by wheel, delivering a more reassuring driving experience.
In other words, the S-AWC system doesn’t simply send power to the rear wheels when the front wheels slip. It constantly responds to road conditions and adjusts the speed and braking force for each wheel. This approach maximizes grip in all situations, whether taking a tight corner on a snow-covered road or accelerating on a mix of ice patches and dry pavement.
Key Technologies
The heart of the S-AWC system relies on several technologies working together. While the system can detect wheel slip and apply torque between the front and rear axles to improve traction, it needs support from other safety systems to function optimally.
Here they are.
1 — Active Stability Control
This system intervenes by reducing engine power and applying the brakes independently to the wheels with the least grip. This prevents abrupt trajectory corrections during acceleration on slippery or uneven surfaces, or while cornering.
2 — Anti-lock Braking System
Anti-lock brakes (ABS) aren’t new, but their action is valuable here. Specifically, by preventing the wheels from locking up completely during hard braking, they allow the wheels to continue rotating and searching for grip, providing the best possible control during an emergency stop.
It’s important to understand that everything happens in milliseconds. Behind the wheel, you don’t notice a thing, but beneath the vehicle, each wheel locks, unlocks, and works to maximize grip at lightning speed.
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3 — Active Yaw Control
With active yaw control, we’re talking about a system that prevents the rear of the vehicle from sliding and dancing from left to right. At its core is torque vectoring technology that manages left-to-right traction and braking forces by applying the brakes to each wheel individually, as needed. The vehicle maintains its trajectory rather than losing it.
Once again, behind the wheel, you don’t notice a thing.
Driving Modes
As a bonus, the S-AWC system offers up to seven driving modes (e.g., snow, gravel) on some models. Power management, torque distribution, and the sensitivity of the systems mentioned above vary according to conditions and terrain type.
These systems and Mitsubishi‘s entire approach benefit from the company’s experience in rally competition and endurance racing.
That’s why its approach is cutting-edge, effective, and reliable.
