By Rob
This was taken just a few days ago here in Kinross in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It’s a measurement instrument attached to the nose of the car that we use for traction and stability control tests.
The instrument measures the position of the car’s body as it relates to the position of the wheels and steering input. It is connected to a laptop and other sensors inside the car.
Sliding around on the ice and snow provides us with a very severe and detailed look at how to establish AWD calibrations – particularly how to determine what exact conditions should tell the system to intervene and send power to the front axle.
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Comments
Will this AWD Cadillac have constant four-wheel drive with each wheel receiving the amount of traction needed as driving conditions change?
Or will it be a RWD sedan or FWD sedan with the opposite axle receiving a signal to pick up traction when the opposite wheels/axle starts to spin?
Posted by: getalifeagain | February 18, 2007 1:02 PM
Have you ever driven a Porsche C4? If so, how would you compare Cadillac's AWD system to Porsche's?
Posted by: Robert Farago | February 18, 2007 7:45 PM
From what is written, this car is not a full time AWD.
I think full time AWD is superior and Cadillac should look into this.
Posted by: getalifeagain | February 19, 2007 8:04 AM
I'd disagree, for a sports sedan like the CTS, a heavily rear-biased AWD system would maintain the rear-drive feel while, assuming the system reacts fast enough, saving your bacon if you let things get out of hand.
Any chance of seeing this AWD system as part of the next V-Series?
Posted by: theCaddyEdge | February 19, 2007 1:40 PM
Well I do hope that while in the venture to create a wonderful AWD technology that GM has also reconsidered the HORRIBLE idea of a rear end my current V has to live with.
Speaking of V....Rob, care to comment?
Posted by: Juan Barnett | February 20, 2007 6:02 AM
Full time AWD sucks gas and is unnecessary for 99% of driving.
Loving this blog btw!
Posted by: HardRockCamaro | February 20, 2007 5:06 PM
I believe the reference to calibrating the AWD is for creating a logrithm for the software to redistribute the percentage of power front to rear. This data would also be used to intiate the stablilitrak system to apply power/braking to the correct wheel. This system also would need to take steering angle and tire slip into account.
Even though it adds weight and does not give the steering feedback of a RWD chassis, AWD will become more common on top line performance vehicles. Software and high speed electro/hydraulic systems maximize the effectiveness of traction and stability control systems since it can control both power and braking.
Sounds like you could have alot of fun powersliding in the snow.
Posted by: Rick Lupori | February 20, 2007 8:27 PM