NLJ
Registered Member
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2018
- Messages
- 2,143
- Reaction score
- 1,153
- Points
- 113
- Location
- Canada
- Genesis Model Type
- Genesis G70
The examples I have are actual active differentials. I hate the brake based ones and how in the past few years they are calling it active and giving it fancy names.A lot of that is just advertising, unfortunately. Not all of those systems are created equal. Some brake-based torque vectoring systems have the words "active" in it, despite being inferior to a clutch type system.
The WRX STi's center diff is essentially an electronically controlled clutch type coupling mated to a mechanical LSD. This allows their software to control some of the power transfer between front and rear, but it is unable to send all the power in either direction, as even if the clutch is fully locked the mechanical differential will still allow for some slip (ie front or rear wheels to spin at slightly different speeds, relative to each other).
Hyundai's HTRAC is different. The power is sent through a transfer case, which acts more like a welded differential (ie running fully locked), but it has an elaborate electronically controlled clutch system that allows all power to be sent it either direction, or even a perfect 50/50 distribution. The difference here is that it is ALL electronically controlled, there is NO mechanical differential or passive power transfer dictated by a differential - every bit of power transfer is controlled by the computer. Nothing analog about it.
I know the G70 uses brake based torque vectoring but since it is RWD based, it at least pushes you through the corner with the rear bias. The FWD based brake torque vectoring just cuts the power and you can notice that the vehicle is slowing down through the corner.
Of course nothing beats an Active Rear Differential which makes taking corners feel like you're on rails!

