The term
"center differential" refers to a mechanism commonly found in vehicles with all-wheel drive (AWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). It distributes power from the engine to the front and rear wheels to allow them to rotate at different speeds, especially when turning. It helps the vehicle maintain stability and traction on different terrains by allowing each set of wheels to spin at different rates while still receiving power from the engine.
Full definition
If necessary, the driver can engage a
locked center differential at low speeds via a dash - mounted switch, dividing power evenly between the front and rear wheels.
Conversely, many have a gear - driven or alternative - style limited -
slip center differential that is engaged when the system is manually placed in 4WD.
An
active center differential typically sends 60 percent of power to the rear wheels, but can throw a maximum of 85 percent back there, or 70 to the front when needed.
Its
mechanical center differential manages normal automotive operation: 60 percent to the differential of the rear axle and 40 percent to the front — a sporty characteristic.
Inside the
new center differential are two rotating crown gears that owe their name to the crown - like design of their teeth.
Models with 5 - speed automatic transmission utilize an electronically controlled variable transfer clutch in conjunction with a planetary -
type center differential.
AWD =
open center differential, at worst only one wheel will spin (though it's rare that three wheels are on perfect ice).
Two - wheel drive (2WD) comes standard, but you can have your Sequoia equipped with Toyota's Multi-Mode 4WD with Torsen limited - slip
center differential for increased traction on all road surfaces.
This particular Quattro system is new, replacing the previous system's
Torsen center differential with a faster - acting, lighter, and more efficient planetary gearset.
What makes the driving experience so great is that the car uses an electronically
controlled center differential which provides a normal 30:70 torque split, with the rear - wheel bias favoring handling agility.
The self - locking
center differential In 2005, Audi ignited the next stage in the evolution of its classic quattro drive system in the second - generation RS 4.
The crown - gear
center differential works together with the likewise new torque vectoring system, which acts on all four wheels.
The above mentioned cars use a Haldex type clutch
center differential which is only activated when the front wheels spin and always deactivated when braking.
All - wheel - drive is standard, and the system can distribute power between the front and rear axles through the electronically - controlled
Haldex center differential.
An Aisin six - speed automatic transmission and full - time four - wheel drive system with a
lockable center differential routes power through 3.90:1 gearing.
Fitted with race - spec componentry like hardened suspension bushings, a 6 - way
adjustable center differential, and reinforced cross members, the 2015 STI is one of the few production sports cars that comes suitably equipped for aggressive track use right out of the box.
Drivetrain The power of the 2.9 TFSI reaches the quattro permanent four - wheel drive with self - locking
center differential via a sporty eight - speed Tiptronic ® with optimized shifting times.
A six - speed automatic transmission handles shifting duties and a Torsen limited - slip
center differential provides full - time all - wheel drive with a 40:60 power split (front / rear, respectively).
The Sportage's 4 - wheel - drive system combines the best of both worlds, with a true locking
center differential as well as car - like on - road all - wheel - drive finesse.
The Land Cruiser comes standard with a full - time 4WD system and a Torsen limited - slip locking
center differential distributing torque 40/60 front - to - rear.
First full - time 4WD system for Toyota multipurpose vehicles developed based on a newly developed Type TF transfer case containing a
viscous center differential LSD; Multi-plate LSD also offered as an option for the rear differential
The ACD unit employs an electronically controlled multi-plate
clutch center differential, vectoring drive torque to the front and rear according to different driving conditions to realize the best balance between steering response and traction characteristics on Tarmac, Gravel, or Snow surfaces.
[1] BorgWarner's original design called for using both a software controlled electromagnetic multi-disc (also called multi-plate) clutch pack and a planetary or bevel geared
center differential together.
Utilizing a combination of electronic and mechanical
center differentials mated with yet a third planetary gear - type differential, the standard all - wheel drive setup now defaults to a slightly rear - biased 41:59 torque split.
A new version of the S4 «s Torsen
center differential also allows up to 100 percent of the engine's torque to go to either axle if needed.
EDIT: This is wrt
center differential transfer case and not traditional 4X4 transfer case, since the question is about torque biasing which precludes the latter.
Under ideal conditions, a Haldex
center differential sends the full available torque to the front wheels for more efficient cruising.
Even power oversteer is no longer a foreign concept, thanks to a
revised center differential that can also dispatch 90 percent of momentum to the rear wheels.
Standard Equipment ABS and ESP Front, side, side curtain, and knee airbags Tire Pressure Monitoring System Front and rear limited slip Differentials Active
center differential Bluetooth handsfree communication Automatic A / C Cruise Control Recaro front sports seats HID headlights