Big Sky Montana -
All wheel or 4wheel drive? We all know that both are favourable in more challenging situations or for handling but how do some systems differ from one another? Today we’re going to experience the line up from Infiniti at the Yellowstone airport which has been transformed into our frozen playground. All vehicles are riding on Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires, the temperature is about -7c or 20F, the sun is shining and were all ready to have some fun.
Probably one of the most fun cars to drift, I mean drive is the Infiniti Q50. This 4 dr sedan is predominantly RWD and when additional traction is needed, power can be shifted to the fronts to aid in traction and steering. The nice thing about the car’s rear bias is that you can really control that back end with your right foot but with all the systems off, it can be a handful.
Next up is are the front biased vehicles starting with the QX50 and 55. These will be common setups, Good front pulling power with the rear added when needed. This for the most part will handle most day to day operations whether you just want something more sure footed in inclement weather or for driving in the deep stuff up to the cottage. Handling is for sure much different than the Rear biased Q50 where you can literally steer by throttle. With this AWD along with he stability management system, it will do a great job keeping the vehicle on track all without breaking a sweat. Its not quite as fun but we’re normally not drifting our cars on frozen airport runways.
Although the new QX60 is also a front biased, its AWD system is a little different as it has a direct coupling that locks up the rear wheels much quicker. Even though it's probably only a few milliseconds quicker, its really really noticeable and as a result at times you’d think its a RWD vehicle as we demonstrate here.
On this course we test out the QX60 on sheer ice with no snow. Even the best winter tires have issues with pure ice without any snow on top. Its so slick that standing still the car is sliding.Its really incredible how well stability systems work in modern day cars as it applies brakes and transfers torque in a seamless ballet to keep you on course. On this exercise, its all about patience and learning that on slippery surfaces, you have to think and react ahead time. As the day progressed, everyone was getting the hang of it though.
29 июл 2024
