When starting on snow for example, the system
sends power to the rear wheels right from the start, minimizing the potential for front wheel spin.
Not exact matches
The next M5 is also expected
to be the first all -
wheel - drive sedan for BMW's performance division, but the system will likely be modified similar
to its key rival, the Mercedes - AMG E63 S, which has a drift mode and can
send all of its
power exclusively
to the
rear wheels when the
right mode is selected.
Most trucks and SUVs (even crossovers with all -
wheel drive) come with center - locking differentials which
send power evenly
to the front and
rear axles, but those axles have their own differentials which vary the amount of
power between the left and
right wheels depending on the amount of grip available.
They also split the torque between the
rear wheels and
send as much as 100 % of the the
power to the left or
right rear.
Power is
sent to the
rear wheels through an electronic limited - slip differential that tries
to keep things pointing in the
right direction.
Mechanical versions of SH - AWD have the ability
to vary the amount of
power sent to the
rear axle, and
to also vary
rear power distribution between the left and
right rear wheels via a longitudinally mounted drive shaft and
rear differential with twin electronically controlled clutch packs.