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Subaru All Wheel Drive Benefits, Subaru of Salina Kansas
Subaru. Confindence in Motion. It's what makes a Subaru, a Subaru. But what does that mean? We ask the hard question, because you want the answer!
Since 1997, every single Subaru sold in the United States has been equipped with All Wheel Drive and today, the Subaru Symmetrical All Wheel Drive is one of our Core Technologies.
In 1972, Subaru introduced it's first AWD vehicle and since then we have been working to improve the technology and today, this technology enhances traction, control and balance, contributing to the vehicle safety as well as performance! What makes the Subaru All Wheel Drive system different? Symmetry. Subaru designs and engineers drivettrain componets for balanced front-to-rear and side-to-side operation.
So are you still thinking, "What does this mean?", let's dive in even further!
Let's choose the Subaru Outback to explain how this technology works. The main system componets are the engine, transmission, transfer case, driveshaft (propellar shaft) and rear differential - thus the Drivetrain! Notice on the above picture, the engine is laid out longitudnially, in other words the length of the vehicle. Two axle shafts emerge from the transmission housing, one on either side. Other wise, there are no external shafts driving the front wheels outside the transmission housing and transfer case (are you still with me so far?).
Here is the next part of Subaru's Symmetrical All Wheel Drive System. Symmetry.
If we take a look at Subaru's All Wheel Drive System, you will notice the layout; it mirrors it self. They are balanced, symmetrical. Subaru did not design this for it's beauty, but rather for practical reasons. If we look at other manufactuers' AWD vehicles, they reveal the fact that most of them use transversely mounted engines that necessitate changing the direction of torque from the engine by 90 degrees!!. Typically, these are front wheel drive vehicles with rear wheel drive added, usaully as an option.
There are other vehicles with longitudinally mounted engines, but they tend to have ecternal driveshafts for the front wheels, along with other components outside the centrally located powertrain.
Subaru's design is cleaner and much simpler. Lending it to a balanced, predictable driving experience and much more improved driving control.
A Balancing Act!
Starting with the Subaru Boxer Engine and all along the drivetrain, every part of the Symmetrical AWD system has efficiences built into it to contribute to more control. The entire sytem lies along the center of the vehicle; a balancing act, balancing weight between the 2 sides. The engine's horizontal, rather than vertical shape, helps to lower the center of gravity. With that, the self contained transmission and transfer case are completely enclosed.
The driveshaft has 2 sections; it is not just one piece! Which allows the engine-transmission-transfer case to be as low as possible without making the ground clearance too low at the center of the Subaru. Thus lowering the center of gravity, again, giving you more control!
All of the components are balanced side-to-side and front-to-rear. Also, the weight of the drivetrain componenets is spread out from front-to-rear. Preventing the Subaru from being excessively heavy in the front or the rear. Tah dah! A Balancing Act!
Subaru BOXER Engine
The Subaru BOXER Engine is a study of symmetry, itself. Of course, we all know that that other types of engines have to have some balance, otherwise they would shake themselves apart! But, the horizontally opposed layout of the Subaru engine has deep-seated advantages.
With the cylinders directly opposing one another, piston movement is in a line all the way across. Power is evenly distributed on either side of the crankshaft. In an "Inline" engine, all the cylinders are laid out to only one side of the crankshaft. Thus, power drives against it from only one direction. "V-Type" engines have cylinders connected to the crankshaft from both sides of the "V". But, the piston movement in either bank tends to push the camshaft off center, instead of having the balance of direct opposition.
Since 1997, every single Subaru sold in the United States has been equipped with All Wheel Drive and today, the Subaru Symmetrical All Wheel Drive is one of our Core Technologies.
In 1972, Subaru introduced it's first AWD vehicle and since then we have been working to improve the technology and today, this technology enhances traction, control and balance, contributing to the vehicle safety as well as performance! What makes the Subaru All Wheel Drive system different? Symmetry. Subaru designs and engineers drivettrain componets for balanced front-to-rear and side-to-side operation.
So are you still thinking, "What does this mean?", let's dive in even further!
Let's choose the Subaru Outback to explain how this technology works. The main system componets are the engine, transmission, transfer case, driveshaft (propellar shaft) and rear differential - thus the Drivetrain! Notice on the above picture, the engine is laid out longitudnially, in other words the length of the vehicle. Two axle shafts emerge from the transmission housing, one on either side. Other wise, there are no external shafts driving the front wheels outside the transmission housing and transfer case (are you still with me so far?).
Here is the next part of Subaru's Symmetrical All Wheel Drive System. Symmetry.
If we take a look at Subaru's All Wheel Drive System, you will notice the layout; it mirrors it self. They are balanced, symmetrical. Subaru did not design this for it's beauty, but rather for practical reasons. If we look at other manufactuers' AWD vehicles, they reveal the fact that most of them use transversely mounted engines that necessitate changing the direction of torque from the engine by 90 degrees!!. Typically, these are front wheel drive vehicles with rear wheel drive added, usaully as an option.
There are other vehicles with longitudinally mounted engines, but they tend to have ecternal driveshafts for the front wheels, along with other components outside the centrally located powertrain.
Subaru's design is cleaner and much simpler. Lending it to a balanced, predictable driving experience and much more improved driving control.
A Balancing Act!
Starting with the Subaru Boxer Engine and all along the drivetrain, every part of the Symmetrical AWD system has efficiences built into it to contribute to more control. The entire sytem lies along the center of the vehicle; a balancing act, balancing weight between the 2 sides. The engine's horizontal, rather than vertical shape, helps to lower the center of gravity. With that, the self contained transmission and transfer case are completely enclosed.
The driveshaft has 2 sections; it is not just one piece! Which allows the engine-transmission-transfer case to be as low as possible without making the ground clearance too low at the center of the Subaru. Thus lowering the center of gravity, again, giving you more control!
All of the components are balanced side-to-side and front-to-rear. Also, the weight of the drivetrain componenets is spread out from front-to-rear. Preventing the Subaru from being excessively heavy in the front or the rear. Tah dah! A Balancing Act!
Subaru BOXER Engine
The Subaru BOXER Engine is a study of symmetry, itself. Of course, we all know that that other types of engines have to have some balance, otherwise they would shake themselves apart! But, the horizontally opposed layout of the Subaru engine has deep-seated advantages.
With the cylinders directly opposing one another, piston movement is in a line all the way across. Power is evenly distributed on either side of the crankshaft. In an "Inline" engine, all the cylinders are laid out to only one side of the crankshaft. Thus, power drives against it from only one direction. "V-Type" engines have cylinders connected to the crankshaft from both sides of the "V". But, the piston movement in either bank tends to push the camshaft off center, instead of having the balance of direct opposition.