Let's Talk HTRAC

[Midnightsun]

Sure it's a great feature but how well does it do and how exactly does it perform/work? Here is a nice video explaining the basics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sigvxCBDlwI a little more. http://brand.hyundai.com/en/challenge/for-technology/htrac.do


Lets get a little deeper into the workings of this. The system is built by Magna Steyr which I can proudly say is a Canadian company. Magna designed and built BMW's XDrive and Mercedes 4Matic however I believe Mercedes now does their own. The only other well known if not famous contender is Audi and their Quattro system which started it all however after a little research it seems like Magna has surpassed Audi in certain areas. Here is a video comparing Audi and BMW awd systems for basic traction and how they work. It is obvious the Quattro system requires quite a bit of wheel spin before getting you back on track in comparison the Xdrive and according to Magna, the Htrac system is actually a step up from XDrive which makes me feel Hyundai is on the leading edge right now however as time progresses I am sure the hard facts will come out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Int2k5E9dvY

Thought is would be cool to talk about the Htrac as it does seem to be a very good system built and designed by one of the best companies in the field. http://www.magnasteyr.com/capabilities/vehicle-engineering-contract-manufacturing

 

[ckon]

We've only had a little snow so far, but I've been very happy with its performance. I've also noticed improved behavior on our local dirt and gravel roads - much better directional stability.

PS: I've seen and heard good things about the Subaru AWD system - any idea who makes it?

 

[puzzled]

I can vouch that the Subaru AWD system is great. Which is why I waited for the HTRAC Genesis before buying one. If I remember correctly subaru has had their symmetrical awd system for over 40 years. There are some differences in their models. For instance my 2005 Legacy GT (manual transmission) is 50:50 split. As long as the snow was not over my bumper I could drive the Subaru through anything (with snow tires).

I am just waiting for some snow to try out the Genesis.

 

[Ernie3647]

Sure it's a great feature but how well does it do and how exactly does it perform/work? Here is a nice video explaining the basics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sigvxCBDlwI a little more. http://brand.hyundai.com/en/challenge/for-technology/htrac.do


Lets get a little deeper into the workings of this. The system is built by Magna Steyr which I can proudly say is a Canadian company. Magna designed and built BMW's XDrive and Mercedes 4Matic however I believe Mercedes now does their own. The only other well known if not famous contender is Audi and their Quattro system which started it all however after a little research it seems like Magna has surpassed Audi in certain areas. Here is a video comparing Audi and BMW awd systems for basic traction and how they work. It is obvious the Quattro system requires quite a bit of wheel spin before getting you back on track in comparison the Xdrive and according to Magna, the Htrac system is actually a step up from XDrive which makes me feel Hyundai is on the leading edge right now however as time progresses I am sure the hard facts will come out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Int2k5E9dvY

Thought is would be cool to talk about the Htrac as it does seem to be a very good system built and designed by one of the best companies in the field. http://www.magnasteyr.com/capabilities/vehicle-engineering-contract-manufacturing

Very interesting Thanks

 

[SH66]

Thanks for the informative links. I can see the benefits of HTRAC, but I would like everyone's input for my situation. I live in a low altitude part of So. California where it never snows, and rains unfortunately only occasionally. I rarely would travel to a snow climate, or use the car on a dirt or gravel road. I see my 2015 3.8 as a highway cruiser.
Here are my concerns and questions:
Added complexity, more to go wrong with car.
What is warranty on HTRAC?
Hit on mileage.
If car needs to be towed, does it need to go on flatbed?
Are front and rear tires same size with HTRAC?
Do you need different tires vs non-HTRAC?
Would you ever be able to get repair done at independent garage after warranty, or is HTRAC to specialized?
Reliability of HTRAC and expense of repair?
Any other considerations?
Many thanks.

 

[Alwaysforward]

Here's to your towing question on the HTRAC:

 

[SH66]

Thanks for that update. Concerned about all the warnings and causing big time damage in a tow or dyno situation such as a smog check.

 

[CanukV6]

Thanks for the informative links. I can see the benefits of HTRAC, but I would like everyone's input for my situation. I live in a low altitude part of So. California where it never snows, and rains unfortunately only occasionally. I rarely would travel to a snow climate, or use the car on a dirt or gravel road. I see my 2015 3.8 as a highway cruiser.
Here are my concerns and questions:
Added complexity, more to go wrong with car.
What is warranty on HTRAC?
Hit on mileage.
If car needs to be towed, does it need to go on flatbed?
Are front and rear tires same size with HTRAC?
Do you need different tires vs non-HTRAC?
Would you ever be able to get repair done at independent garage after warranty, or is HTRAC to specialized?
Reliability of HTRAC and expense of repair?
Any other considerations?
Many thanks.

For your locale and driving there is little point in getting an HTRAC equipped Genesis. To answer your questions directly:

• Yes there is added complexity due to the AWD system and potentially more things to go wrong, although there is no reason to think it will not be reliable.
• Warranty on HTRAC is the same as Drivetrain warranty for a non-HTRAC Genesis.
• Yes there is a slight impact on mileage due to the additional weight and losses through the drivetrain.
• Alwaysforward has answered this already. Personally, I would always flatbed my car regardless of if it is 2WD or AWD.
• Front & Rear Tires are the same size on the HTRAC models. I believe that only the V8 has an OEM Staggered Tire set-up.
• There are lots of cars now available with AWD so any independent service garage worth going to should be able to maintain an HTRAC system.
• As mentioned above, there is greater complexity, but this doesn't mean there will be worse reliability. The fact that drivetrain loads are now shared between 4 wheels instead of 2 means that each one carries less overall load - in theory - so there shouldn't be any great difference in maintenance costs.

If you don't need it, why pay the extra cost. Stay with Rear Wheel Drive.

 

[Ernie3647]

For your locale and driving there is little point in getting an HTRAC equipped Genesis. To answer your questions directly:

• Yes there is added complexity due to the AWD system and potentially more things to go wrong, although there is no reason to think it will not be reliable.
• Warranty on HTRAC is the same as Drivetrain warranty for a non-HTRAC Genesis.
• Yes there is a slight impact on mileage due to the additional weight and losses through the drivetrain.
• Alwaysforward has answered this already. Personally, I would always flatbed my car regardless of if it is 2WD or AWD.
• Front & Rear Tires are the same size on the HTRAC models. I believe that only the V8 has an OEM Staggered Tire set-up.
• There are lots of cars now available with AWD so any independent service garage worth going to should be able to maintain an HTRAC system.
• As mentioned above, there is greater complexity, but this doesn't mean there will be worse reliability. The fact that drivetrain loads are now shared between 4 wheels instead of 2 means that each one carries less overall load - in theory - so there shouldn't be any great difference in maintenance costs.

If you don't need it, why pay the extra cost. Stay with Rear Wheel Drive.

Agreed plus there is from past reviews a “straight line” performance hit and a handling edge not that it matters to me I think it performs just fine.

 

[SH66]

Thanks CanukV6, have a much more positive attitude about it now. The video from Hyundai (the informational one, not the muscle one) was very useful in understanding it. Having been in Ontario in the winter I can understand the necessity of this feature. Here, like you said, I may save the money.

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[ckon]

I was just out on the roads with the remnants of a quarter inch of snow with temps in the low 30s - a nasty combination and really slippery. The car does a great job of letting you feel what's under you and the snow mode is very helpful in handling the conditions. I'm very pleased. I'm looking forward to snow that's just a little deeper because I think the performance will be even better.

 

[powerslide]

Thanks for the links, midnightsun. That's the most detailed info i have seen yet. I was definitely impressed with Htrac in the snow. I can't wait to get some decent snow tires on.