Four-wheel drive

Several terms redirect here. For other uses, seeFour-wheel drive (disambiguation),4×4 (disambiguation),andFour by four (disambiguation).

Afour-wheel drive,also called4×4( "four by four" ) or4WD,is a two-axled vehicledrivetraincapable of providingtorqueto all of its wheels simultaneously. It may be full-time or on-demand, and is typically linked via atransfer caseproviding an additional output drive shaft and, in many instances, additionalgear ranges.

TheJeep Wrangler(pictured is aTJ Wrangler) is a 4WD vehicle with atransfer caseto select low-range or high-range four-wheel drive.

A four-wheel drive vehicle with torque supplied to both axles is described as"all-wheel drive"(AWD). However, "four-wheel drive" typically refers to a set of specific components and functions, and intended off-road application, which generally complies with modern use of the terminology.

Definitions

Four-wheel-drive systems were developed in many different markets and used in many differentvehicle platforms.There is no universally accepted set of terminology that describes the various architectures and functions.The terms used by various manufacturers often reflect marketing rather than engineering considerations or significant technical differences between systems.SAE International's standard J1952 recommends only the term "all-wheel drive" with additional subclassifications that cover all types of AWD/4WD/4x4 systems found on production vehicles.

4×4

"Four-by-four" or "4×4" is frequently used to refer to a class of vehicles in general. Syntactically, the first figure indicates the total number of axle ends and the second indicates the number of axle ends that are powered. Accordingly, 4×2 means a four-wheel vehicle that transmits engine torque to only two axle ends: the front two infront-wheel driveor the rear two inrear-wheel drive.Similarly, a6×4vehicle has three axles, two of which provide torque to two axle ends each. If this vehicle were a truck with dual rear wheels on two rear axles, so actually having ten wheels, its configuration would still be formulated as 6x4. During World War II, the U.S. military would typically use spaces and a capital 'X' – as "4 X 2" or "6 X 4".

Center transfer case sending power from the transmission to the rear axle (right) and front axle (left)

4WD

Four-wheel drive (4WD) refers to vehicles with two axles providing torque to four axle ends. In the North American market, the term generally refers to a system optimized for off-road driving conditions.The term "4WD" is typically designated for vehicles equipped with atransfer casethat switches between 2WD and 4WD operating modes, either manually or automatically.

AWD

Main article:AWD (vehicle)

All-wheel drive (AWD) was historically synonymous with "four-wheel drive" on four-wheeled vehicles, andsix-wheel driveon6×6s,and so on, being used in that fashion at least as early as the 1920s.Today in North America, the term is applied to both heavy vehicles and light passenger vehicles. When referring to heavy vehicles, the term is increasingly applied to mean "permanent multiple-wheel drive" on2×2,4×4, 6×6, or8×8drive-train systems that include adifferentialbetween the front and rear drive shafts.This is often coupled with some sort of antislip technology, increasingly hydraulics-based, that allows differentials to spin at different speeds, but still be capable of transferring the torque from a wheel with poor traction to one with better. Typical AWD systems work well on all surfaces, but are not intended for more extreme off-road use.When used to describe AWD systems in light passenger vehicles, it refers to a system that applies torque to all four wheels (permanently or on-demand) or is targeted at improving on-road traction and performance (particularly in inclement conditions), rather than for off-road applications.

Some all-wheel drive electric vehicles use one motor for each axle, thereby eliminating a mechanical differential between the front and rear axles. An example of this is thedual-motorvariant of theTesla Model S,which controls the torque distribution between its two motors electronically.

SAE recommended practices

According to the SAE International standard J1952, AWD is the preferred term for all the systems described above. The standard subdivides AWD systems into three categories.

Part-time AWD systems require driver intervention to couple and decouple the secondary axle from the primarily driven axle, and these systems do not have a center differential (or similar device). The definition notes that part-time systems may have a low range.

Full-time AWD systems drive both front and rear axles at all times via a center (interaxle) differential. The torque split of that differential may be fixed or variable depending on the type of center differential. This system can be used on any surface at any speed. The definition does not address the inclusion or exclusion of a low-range gear.

On-demand AWD systems drive the secondary axle via an active or passive coupling device or "by an independently powered drive system". The standard notes that in some cases, the secondary drive system may also provide the primary vehicle propulsion. An example is a hybrid AWD vehicle where the primary axle is driven by an internal combustion engine and the secondary axle is driven by an electric motor. When the internal combustion engine is shut off, the secondary, electrically driven axle is the only driven axle. On-demand systems function primarily with only one powered axle until torque is required by the second axle. At that point, either a passive or active coupling sends torque to the secondary axle.

In addition to the above primary classifications, the J1952 standard notes secondary classifications resulting in a total of eight systems, designated as:

• Part-time nonsynchro
• Part-time synchro
• Full-time fixed torque
• Full-time variable-torque passive
• Full-time variable-torque active
• On-demand synchro variable-torque passive
• On-demand synchro variable-torque active
• On-demand independently powered variable-torque active

Design

Differentials

Main article:Differential

TheLamborghini Murciélagohas an AWD system that powers the front via aviscous coupling unitif the rear slips

TheHMMWVis a 4WD/AWD that powers all wheels evenly (continuously) via a manually lockable center differential, withTorsendifferentials for both front and rear

Two wheels fixed to the same axle (but on the opposite axle ends) need to turn at different speeds as a vehicle goes around a curve. The reason is that the wheel that is located on the inner side of the curve needs to travel less distance than the opposite wheel for the same duration of time. However, if both wheels are connected to the same axle driveshaft, they always have to spin at the same speed relative to each other. When going around a curve, this either forces one of the wheels to slip, if possible, to balance the apparent distance covered, or creates uncomfortable and mechanically stressful wheel hop. To prevent this, the wheels are allowed to turn at different speeds using a mechanical or hydraulicdifferential.This allows onedriveshaftto independently drive two output shafts, axles that go from the differential to the wheel, at different speeds.

The differential does this by distributing angular force (in the form oftorque) evenly, while distributingangular velocity(turning speed) such that the average for the two output shafts is equal to that of the differentialring gear.When powered, each axle requires a differential to distribute power between the left and right sides. When power is distributed to all four wheels, a third or 'center' differential can be used to distribute power between the front and rear axles.

The described system handles extremely well, as it is able to accommodate various forces of movement and distribute power evenly and smoothly, making slippage unlikely. Once it does slip, however, recovery is difficult. If the left front wheel of a 4WD vehicle slips on an icy patch of road, for instance, the slipping wheel spins faster than the other wheels due to the lower traction at that wheel. Since a differential applies equal torque to each half-shaft, power is reduced at the other wheels, even if they have good traction. This problem can happen in both 2WD and 4WD vehicles, whenever a driven wheel is placed on a surface with little traction or raised off the ground. The simplistic design works acceptably well for 2WD vehicles. It is much less acceptable for 4WD vehicles, because 4WD vehicles have twice as many wheels with which to lose traction, increasing the likelihood that it may happen. 4WD vehicles may also be more likely to drive on surfaces with reduced traction. However, since torque is divided between four wheels rather than two, each wheel receives roughly half the torque of a 2WD vehicle, reducing the potential for wheel slip.

To prevent slippage, some vehicles have controls for independently locking center, front, and rear differentials

Limiting slippage

Main article:Limited-slip differential (LSD)

Many differentials have no way of limiting the amount of engine power that gets sent to their attached output shafts. As a result, if a tire loses traction on acceleration, either because of a low-traction situation (e.g., driving on gravel or ice) or the engine power overcomes available traction, the tire that is not slipping receives little or no power from the engine. In very low-traction situations, this can prevent the vehicle from moving at all. To overcome this, several designs of differentials can either limit the amount of slip (these are called 'limited-slip' differentials) or temporarily lock the two output shafts together to ensure that engine power reaches all driven wheels equally.

Locking differentialswork by temporarily locking together a differential's output shafts, causing all wheels to turn at the same rate, providing torque in case of slippage. This is generally used for the center differential, which distributes power between the front and the rear axles. While a drivetrain that turns all wheels equally would normally fight the driver and cause handling problems, this is not a concern when wheels are slipping.

Some designs use gearing to create a small rotational difference that hastens torque transfer.

A typical Torsen II differential can deliver up to twice as much torque to the high-traction side before traction is exceeded at the low-traction side.

A fairly recent innovation in automobiles is electronictraction control.It typically uses a vehicle's braking system to slow a spinning wheel. This forced slowing emulates the function of a limited-slip differential, and by using the brakes more aggressively to ensure wheels are being driven at the same speed, can also emulate a locking differential. This technique normally requires wheel sensors to detect when a wheel is slipping, and only activates when wheel slip is detected. Therefore, typically no mechanism exists to actively prevent wheel slip (i.e., locking the differential in advance of wheel slip is not possible); rather, the system is designed to expressly permit wheel slip to occur, and then to attempt to send torque to the wheels with the best traction. If preventing all-wheel slip is a requirement, this is a limiting design.

Selection lever: 2H for two-wheel drive, 4H for high-range 4WD, 4L for low-range 4WD, and N for neutral

Selection lever: All-time 4WD, neutral, and part-time low-range 4WD

Operating modes

The architecture of an AWD/4WD system can be described by showing its possible operating modes.A single vehicle may have the ability to operate in multiple modes depending on driver selection. The different modes are:

• Two-wheel drive mode – In this mode, only one axle (typically the rear axle) is driven. The drive to the other axle is disconnected. The operating torque split ratio is 0:100.
• Four-wheel drive mode – Here, depending on the nature of torque transfer to the axles, three submodes (below) can be defined.
• Part-time mode – The front and rear axle drives are rigidly coupled in the transfer case. Since the driveline does not permit any speed differentiation between the axles and would cause driveline wind-up, this mode is recommended only for part-time use in off-road or loose-surface conditions where driveline wind-up is unlikely. Up to full torque could go to either axle, depending on the road conditions and the weight over the axles.
• Full-time mode – Both axles are driven at all times, but an interaxle differential permits the axles to turn at different speeds as needed. This allows the vehicle to be driven full-time in this mode, regardless of the road surface, without fear of driveline wind-up. With standard bevel-gear differentials, the torque split is 50:50. Planetary differentials can provide asymmetric torque splits as needed. A system that operates permanently in the full-time mode is sometimes called all-the-time 4WD, all-wheel drive, or AWD. If the interaxle differential is locked out, then the mode reverts to a part-time mode.
• On-demand mode – In this mode, the transfer case operates primarily in the 2WD mode. Torque is transferred to the secondary axle as needed by modulating the transfer clutch from open to a rigidly coupled state, while avoiding any driveline wind-up. The torque modulation may be achieved by active electronic/hydraulic control systems, or by passive devices, based on wheel slip or wheel torque, as described in the section on traction control systems.

In addition to these basic modes, some implementations can combine these modes. The system could have a clutch across the center differential, for example, capable of modulating the front axle torque from a full-time mode with the 30:70 torque split of the center differential to the 0:100 torque split of the 2WD mode.

History

The 1893 Diplock Steam Locomotive was the world's first 4WD land vehicle.

The Lohner–Porsche Mixte Hybrid was both the world's firsthybrid vehicle,and the first four-wheel drive without a steam engine.

Late 1800s

In 1893, before the establishment of the modern automotive industry in Britain, English engineerBramah Joseph Diplockpatented a four-wheel drive systemfor a steam-poweredtraction engine,including four-wheel steering and threedifferentials,which was subsequently built. The development also incorporated Bramah'sPedrail wheelsystem in what was one of the first four-wheel drive automobiles to display an intentional ability to travel on challenging road surfaces. It stemmed from Bramagh's previous idea of developing an engine that would reduce the amount of damage to public roads.

Ferdinand Porschedesigned and built a four-wheel-drivenelectric vehiclefor thek. u. k. Hofwagenfabrik Ludwig Lohner & Co.in Vienna in 1899, presented to the public during the 1900 World Exhibition in Paris. The vehicle was aseries hybridcar that used an electrichub motorat each wheel, powered by batteries, which were in turn charged by a gasoline-engine generator.It was clumsily heavy, and due to its unusual status, the so-calledLohner–Porscheis not frequently given its credit as the first four-wheel driven automobile.

1900s–1920s

The 1903 Spyker 60-HP was the world's first 4WD that was directly powered by an internal combustion engine, and the first 4WD race-car.

The Jeffery / Nash Quads were the first 4WD vehicles produced in five-figure numbers (1913–1928).

The world's first four-wheel-drive car directly powered by an internal-combustion engine, and the first with afront-engine, four-wheel-drive layout,was the DutchSpyker60 H.P., Commissioned for the Paris to Madrid race of 1903, it was presented that year by brothers Jacobus and Hendrik-Jan Spijker ofAmsterdam.The two-seat sports car featured permanent four-wheel drive and was also the first car equipped with a six-cylinder engine, as well as four-wheel braking. Later used as a hill-climb racer, it is now an exhibit in theLouwman Museum(the former Nationaal Automobiel Museum) inthe Hague,the Netherlands.

Designs for four-wheel drive in America first came from theTwyford Motor Car Company.

TheReynolds-Alberta Museumhas a four-wheel-drive vehicle, named "Michigan",from 1905 in unrestored storage.

The first four-wheel-drive vehicles to go into mass production were built by (what became) the AmericanFour Wheel DriveAuto Company (FWD) ofWisconsin,founded in 1908.(not to be confused with the term "FWD" as an initialism forfront-wheel-drive)
Along with the 11⁄2- and 2-tonNash Quad(see below), the 3-ton FWD Model B became a standard military four-wheel-drive truck for the U.S. Army in World War I. Some 16,000 FWD Model B trucks were built for theBritishand American armies during World War I – about half by FWD and the rest by other licensed manufacturers. Only about 20% of the trucks built were four-wheel drives, but the 4x4s were more often on the front lines.

About 11,500 of theJeffery/Nash Quadtrucks were built for similar use between 1913 and 1919. The Quad not only came with four-wheel-drive and four-wheel brakes, but also featured four-wheel steering.The Quad was one of the first successful four-wheel drive vehicles ever to be made, and its production continued for 15 years with a total of 41,674 units made by 1928.

Daimler-Benzalso has a history in four-wheel drive. After theDaimler Motoren Gesellschafthad built a four-wheel-driven vehicle calledDernburg-Wagen,also equipped withfour-wheel steering,in 1907, that was used by German colonial civil servant, Bernhard Dernburg, inNamibia;Mercedes and BMW, in 1926, introduced some rather sophisticated four-wheel drives, the G1, the G4, and G4 following. Mercedes and BMW developed this further in 1937.

1930s

The 1936–1944 Kurogane Type 95 scout car (Japan)

The 1938–1945 GAZ-61 four-wheel drivephaeton(Russia)

1940 GAZ-64 jeep-like car (Russia)

The AmericanMarmon-Herrington Companywas founded in 1931 to serve a growing market for moderately priced four-wheel-drive vehicles. Marmon-Herrington specialized in convertingFordtrucks to four-wheel drive and got off to a successful start by procuring contracts for military and commercial aircraft refueling trucks, 4×4 chassis for towing light weaponry, and an order from the Iraqi Pipeline Company for what were the largest trucks built at the time.

The early Marmon-Herringtons proved to be the exception to the rule — 4WD cars and trucks developed in the 1930s were mainly built for governments, with (future) warfare applications in mind.

Dodge developed its first four-wheel-drive truck in 1934 — a military1+1⁄2ton designated K-39-X-4(USA), of which 796 units were built for the U.S. Army in several configurations.Timkensupplied front axles and transfer cases, added to militarized a civilian truck. The Timkentransfer casewas the firstpart-timedesign,that allowed the driver to engage or disengage four-wheel drive using a lever inside the cab.In spite of the limited 1930s U.S. military budgets, the '34 truck was liked well-enough that a more modern1+1⁄2ton truck was developed, and 1,700 RF-40-X-4(USA) trucks were produced in 1938, and 292 TF-40-X-4(USA) in 1939.

Starting in 1936, Japanese companyTokyu Kurogane Kogyobuilt roughly 4,700 four-wheel-drive roadsters, called theKurogane Type 95reconnaissance car, used by the Imperial Japanese Army from 1937 until 1944, during theSecond Sino-Japanese War.Three different bodystyles were manufactured – a two-door roadster, a two-door pickup truck, and a four-door phaeton, all equipped with a transfer case that engaged the front wheels, powered by a 1.3-litre, two-cylinder, air-cooled OHV V-twin engine.

The 1937 Mercedes-Benz G5 and BMW 325 4×4 featured full-time four-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, three locking differentials, and fully independent suspension. They were produced because of a government demand for a four-wheel-drive passenger vehicle. The modern Geländewagen such as theMercedes-Benz G-Classstill feature some of the attributes, with the exception of fully independent suspension, since it can compromise ground clearance. TheUnimogis also a result of Mercedes 4x4 technology.

The first Russian-produced four-wheel-drive vehicle, also in part for civilian use, was theGAZ-61,developed in theSoviet Unionin 1938. "Civilian use" may be a bit of a misnomer, as most, if not all, were used by the Soviet government and military (as command cars), but the GAZ-61-73 version is the first four-wheel-drive vehicle with a normal closedsedanbody. Elements of the chassis were used in subsequent military vehicles such as the 1940GAZ-64and the 1943GAZ-67,as well as the postwarGAZ-69,and the properly civilian GAZ-M-72, based on therear-wheel driveGAZ-20"Victory" and built from 1955 to 1958. Soviet civilian life did not allow the proliferation of civilian products such as theJeepin North America, but through the 1960s, the technology of Soviet 4×4 vehicles stayed on par with British, German, and American models, even exceeding it in some aspects, and for military purposes just as actively developed, produced, and used.

World War II – a leap in AWD proliferation

The 1940–1945 Willys U.S. Jeep

Until "go-anywhere" vehicles were needed for the military on a large scale, four-wheel drive andall-wheel-drivevehicles had not found their place. TheWorld War II Jeep,originally developed byAmerican Bantam,but mass-produced byWillysand Ford, became the best-known four-wheel-drive vehicle in the world during the war.The AmericanDodge WC seriesandChevrolet G5064x4 variants were also produced by the hundreds of thousands, as well as theCanadian Military Pattern trucks,of which 4x4s were by far the most prevalent of their various driveline configurations. All told, North America built about1+1⁄2million 4x4 driven vehicles during the war,

Availability of certain critical components, such transfer cases and especiallyconstant-velocity jointsaffected development. Though not used much on commercial vehicles,all-wheel drive vehicles all needed these; and they would use two or three times the number of driven axles, meaning more gears to cut for all the differentials. Produced up to the war by a few specialized firms with limited capacity, from spring 1942, Ford, Dodge, and Chevrolet joined in fabricating these in a quantity more than a 100-fold greater than in 1939.

Although Russia had their own jeep-like vehicle (the GAZ-64) up and running in 1940, a year earlier than the American jeep, in the early years of the war, they relied significantly onLend-Leasevehicles, provided by the western allies. In 1943, they launched a further-developed version: theGAZ-67.

By contrast, theAxis powers' closest equivalent to the jeep, theVW Kübelwagen,of which only some 50,000 were built, though being equipped withportal gearhubs, only had rear-wheel drive.

1945–1960s

A 1945 Willys CJ-2A Jeep

A first-generation Dodge Power Wagon

Willys introduced the modelCJ-2Ain 1945, the first full-production four-wheel-drive vehicle for sale in the general marketplace. Due to the ubiquitous World War II Jeep's success, its rugged utilitarianism set the pattern for many four-wheel-drive vehicles to come.Dodge also started production of the civilian 4WDPower Wagontrucks, for the 1946 model year. Both the Willys and the Dodge were developed directly from their WW II predecessors.

Equally boxy to the Jeep, and also inline-four powered, theLand Roverappeared at the Amsterdam Motor Show in 1948. Originally conceived as a stop-gap product for the struggling Rover car company, despite chronic underinvestment, it succeeded far better than their passenger cars. Inspired by aWillys MB– the ubiquitous WWII "jeep" – that was frequently run off-road on the farm belonging to chief engineerMaurice Wilks,Land Rover developed the more refined yet still off-road capable luxury 4WDRange Roverin the 1970s.

With the acquisition of the "Jeep" name in 1950, Willys had cornered the brand. Its successor,Kaiser Jeep,introduced a revolutionary 4WD wagon called theWagoneerin 1963. Not only was it technically innovative, withindependent front suspensionand the firstautomatic transmissioncoupled to 4WD, but also it was equipped and finished as a regular passenger automobile.In effect, it was the ancestor of the modernSUV.The luxuryAMCorBuickV8-powered Super Wagoneer produced from 1966 to 1969 raised the bar even higher.

Jensenapplied the FormulaFerguson(FF) full-time all-wheel-drive system to 318 units of theirJensen FFbuilt from 1966 to 1971, marking the first time 4WD was used in a productionGTsports car.While most 4WD systems split torque evenly, the Jensen split torque roughly 40% front, 60% rear by gearing the front and rear at different ratios.

1970s–1990s

American Motors Corporation(AMC) acquired Kaiser's Jeep Division in 1970 and quickly upgraded and expanded the entire line of off-road 4WD vehicles. With its added roadworthiness, the top-range full-sized Grand Wagoneer continued to compete with traditionalluxury cars.Partially hand-built, it was relatively unchanged during its production through 1991, even afterChrysler's buyout of AMC.

Subaruintroduced the category-expandingLeonein 1972, an inexpensive compactstation wagonwith a light-duty, part-time four-wheel-drive system that could not be engaged on dry pavement. In September, AMC introducedQuadra Tracfull-time AWD for the 1973 model year Jeep Cherokee and Wagoneer.Due to full-time AWD, which relieved the driver of getting out tolock hubsand having to manually select between 2WD and 4WD modes, it dominated all other makes in FIA rally competition. Gene Henderson and Ken Pogue won thePress-on-Regardless RallyFIA championship with a Quadra Trac-equipped Jeep in 1972.

1969Jensen FF,world's first 4WD in a production GT sports car

A 1987 AWD AMCEaglewagon, the most popular model in the line

A 1981 AMC Eagle AWD convertible

American Motors introduced the innovativeEaglefor the 1980 model year.These were the first American mass-production cars to use the complete front-engine, four-wheel-drive system.The AMC Eagle was offered as asedan,coupe,and station wagon with permanent automatic all-wheel drive passenger models. The new Eagles combined Jeep technology with an existing and proven AMC passengerautomobile platform.They ushered a whole new product category of "sport-utility" orcrossover SUV.AMC's Eagles came with the comfort and high-level appointments expected of regular passenger models and used the off-road technology for an extra margin of safety and traction.

The Eagle's thickviscousfluid center differential provided a quiet and smooth transfer of power that was directed proportionally to the axle with the greatest traction. This was a true full-time system operating only in four-wheel drive without undue wear on suspension or driveline components. No low range was used in the transfer case. This became the forerunner of the designs that followed from other manufacturers.The automobile press at the time tested the traction of the Eagles and described it as far superior to the Subaru's and that it could beat many so-called off-road vehicles.Four Wheelermagazine concluded that the AMC Eagle was "The beginning of a new generation of cars."

The Eagles were popular (particularly in thesnowbelt), had towing capacity, and came in several equipment levels including sport and luxury trims. Two additional models were added in 1981, the subcompact SX/4 and Kammback. A manual transmission and a front axle-disconnect feature were also made available for greater fuel economy. During 1981 and 1982, a uniqueconvertiblewas added to the line. The Eagle'smonocoquebody was reinforced for the conversion and had a steeltarga barwith a removable fiberglass roof section.The Eagle station wagon remained in production for one model year after Chrysler acquired AMC in 1987. Total AMC Eagle production was almost 200,000 vehicles.

Audialso introduced a permanently all-wheel-driven road-going car, theAudi Quattro,in 1980. Audi's chassis engineer,Jörg Bensinger,had noticed in winter tests in Finland that a vehicle used by theWest German Army,theVolkswagenIltis,could beat any high-performance Audi. He proposed developing a four-wheel-drive car that would also be used forrallyingto improve Audi's conservative image. The Audiquattrosystem became a feature on production cars.

In 1987,Toyotaalso developed a car built for competition in rally campaigns.A limited number of road-goingFIAHomologationSpecial Vehicle Celica GT-Four (known asToyota CelicaAll-Trac Turbo in North America) were produced. TheAll-Tracsystem was later available on serial productionToyota Camry,Toyota Corolla,andToyota Previamodels.

Some of the earliestmid-enginedfour-wheel-drive cars were the various road-legal rally cars made forGroup Bhomologation, such as theFord RS200made from 1984 to 1986. In 1989, niche makerPanther Westwindscreated a mid-engined four-wheel drive, thePanther Solo 2.

2000–present

In the United States, as of late 2013, AWD vehicles comprised 32% of new light vehicle sales, up 5% since 2008.This is in large part due to the popularity of thecrossover.Most crossovers offer the popular technology, in spite of it increasing vehicle price and fuel consumption.Car manufacturers have inundated consumers with marketing proclaiming AWD as a safety feature, although the advantage of AWD over FWD occurs in accelerating, not braking or steering.Tests have shown that though AWD gives improved acceleration in wintery conditions, it does not help with braking.

In 2008, Nissan introduced theGT-Rfeaturing a rear-mountedtransaxle.The AWD system requires twodrive shafts,one main shaft from the engine to the transaxle and differential and a second drive shaft from the transaxle to the front wheels.

Uses

Road racing

Spykeris credited with building and racing the first four-wheel-drive racing car, the Spyker 60 HP in 1903.

Bugatticreated a total of three four-wheel-drive racers, theType 53,in 1932, but the cars were notorious for having poorhandling.

Miller produced the first 4WD car to qualify for the Indianapolis 500, the 1938Miller Gulf Special.

Ferguson Research Ltd.built the front-engined P99Formula Onecar that actually won a non-World Championship race withStirling Mossin 1961. In 1968,Team Lotusraced cars in theIndy 500and three years later in Formula 1 with theLotus 56,that had both turbine engines and 4WD, as well as the 1969 4WD-Lotus 63 that had the standard 3-litre V8FordCosworthengine.Matraalso raced a similar MS84, andMcLarenentered theirM9Ain theBritish Grand Prix,while engine manufacturers Cosworth produced their own version, which was tested but never raced. All these F1 cars were considered inferior to their RWD counterparts, as the advent of aerodynamic downforce meant that adequate traction could be obtained in a lighter and more mechanically efficient manner, and the idea was discontinued, though Lotus tried repeatedly.

Nissan and Audi had success with all-wheel drive in road racing with the former's advent of theNissan Skyline GT-Rin 1989. So successful was the car that it dominated the Japanese circuit for the first years of production, going on to bigger and more impressive wins in Australia before weight penalties eventually levied ade factoban on the car. Most controversial was the win pulled off at the 1990Macau Grand Prix,where the car led from start to finish. Audi's dominance in theTrans-Am Seriesin 1988 was equally controversial, as it led to a weight penalty midseason and to a rule revision banning all AWD cars; its dominance inSuper Touringeventually led to aFIAban on AWD system in 1998.

New201124 Hours of Le Mansregulations may revive AWD/4WD in road racing, though such systems are only allowed in newhybrid-poweredLe Mans prototypes.One example is theAudi R18 e-tron quattro(winner of2012race, the first hybrid/4WD to win Le Mans), using an electric motor in the front axle with the gasoline engine in the rear.

In heavy trucks

Medium-dutyandheavy-dutytrucks have recently adopted 4×4 drivetrains; 4×4 medium-duty trucks became common after Ford began sellingFord Super Dutytrucks. These trucks shared many parts between the light-duty and medium-duty, reducing production costs. TheDana 60front axle is used on both medium- and light-duty Super Duty trucks. Furthermore, theBig Threeshare/shared parts between the companies, reducing costs. TheDana S 110is currently being used for the rear drive, under Ford and Ram's medium-duty trucks. The Dana 110 was also used on theGeneral Motors4×4s.Ram Trucksbegan selling medium-duty trucks, 4×4 and 4×2, in 2008. General Motors sold a4×4for model years 2005–2009.

• 
  GM 4×4 medium-duty trucks
• 
  Heavy-duty International Workstar
• 
  Ford medium-duty 4×4 drive train

In construction equipment

ACasebackhoe loaderwith 4WD

Volvo introduced the Model 646 four-wheel-drivebackhoe loaderin 1977.

Terminology

In engineering terms, "four-wheel drive" designates a vehicle with power delivered to four wheel ends spread over at least two axles. The term "4×4" (pronouncedfour by four) was in use to describe North American military four-wheel-drive vehicles as early as the 1940s,with the first number indicating the number of wheel ends on a vehicle and the second indicating the number of driven wheels.

Trucks with dual tires on the rear axle and two driven axles are designated as 4×4s despite having six wheels, because the paired rear wheels behave as a single wheel for traction and classification purposes. True6×6vehicles, which have three powered axles, are classified as 6×6s regardless of how many wheels they have. Examples of these with two rear, one front axle are the six-wheeledPinzgauer,which is popular with defense forces around the globe, and 10-wheeledGMC CCKWmade famous by theU.S. Armyin World War II.

Four-wheeleris a related term applying toall-terrain vehicles,and not to be confused with four-wheel drive. The "four" in the instance referring to the vehicle having four wheels, not necessarily all driven.

Unusual systems

Prompted by a perceived need for a simple, inexpensive all-terrain vehicle for oil exploration in North Africa, French motor manufacturerCitroëndeveloped the2CVSahara in 1958. Unlike other 4×4 vehicles, which use a conventionaltransfer caseto drive the front and rear axles, the Sahara had two engines, each independently driving a separate axle, with the rear engine facing backwards. The two throttles, clutches, and gear-change mechanisms could be linked, so the two 12 hp (9 kW) 425 cc (26 cu in) engines could run together, or they could be split and the car driven solely by either engine. Combined with twin fuel tanks and twin batteries (which could be set up to run either or both engines), the redundancy of two separate drive trains meant that they could make it back to civilization even after major mechanical failures. Only around 700 of these cars were built, and only 27 are known to exist today.

BMCexperimented with a twin-enginedMini Moke(dubbed the "Twini Moke" ) in the mid-1960s, but never put it into production. This made advantage of theMini's'power pack' layout, with a transverse engine and thegearboxin the enginesump.Simply by fitting a second engine/gearbox unit across the rear, a rudimentary 4×4 system could be produced. Early prototypes had separate gear levers and clutch systems for each engine. Later versions sent for evaluation by theBritish Armyhad more user-friendly linked systems.

In 1965,A. J. M. Chadwickpatented a 4WD system, GB 1113068, that used hemispherical wheels for an all-terrain vehicle. Twenty years later,B. T. E. Warne,patented, GB 2172558, an improvement on Chadwick's design that did not use differential gear assemblies. By using near-spherical wheels with the provision to tilt and turn each wheel co-ordinatively, the driven wheels maintain constant traction. Furthermore, all driven wheels steer, and as pairing of wheels is not necessary, vehicles with an odd number of wheels are possible without affecting the system's integrity. Progressive deceleration is made possible by dynamically changing the front-to-rear effective wheel diameter ratios.

Volkswagen Motorsport,with the help ofAustriancompany Kaimann Racing for the development, used a twin engineGolf Mk2for the 1985, 1986 and 1987Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

Suzuki Motorsintroduced theSuzuki EscudoPikes Peak Edition in 1996. Earlier Suzuki versions were twin-engined; from 1996 on, the engine is a twin-turbocharged 2.0-L V6, mated to a sequential six-speed manual transmission.

Nissan Motors has developed a system calledE-4WD,designed for cars that are normally front-wheel drive; however, the rear wheels are powered by electric motors. This system was introduced in some variants of theNissan CubeandTiida.(This is similar to the system used on theFord EscapeHybrid AWD.)

Chrysler's Jeep Division debuted the twin-engined, 670 hp (500 kW)Jeep Hurricaneconcept at the 2005North American International Auto Showin Detroit. This vehicle has a unique "crab crawl" capability, which allows it to rotate 360° in place. This is accomplished by driving the left wheels as a pair and the right wheels as a pair, as opposed to driving the front and rear pairs. A central gearbox allows one side to drive in the opposite direction from the other. It also has dualHemiV8s.

Somehybrid vehiclessuch as theLexusRX400hprovide power to an AWD system through a pair of electric motors, one to the front wheels and one to the rear. In the case of the AWD model version of the Lexus RX400h (and its Toyota-branded counterpart, theHarrierhybrid), the front wheels can also receive drive power directly from the vehicle's gasoline engine, as well as via the electric motors, whereas the rear wheels derive power only from the second electric motor. Transfer of power is managed automatically by internal electronics based on traction conditions and need, making this an all-wheel-drive system.

The 4RM system used in theFerrari FFandPurosangueis unique in that it has a rear transaxle with a secondary front transaxle connected directly to the engine. The car operates primarily as a rear-wheel drive vehicle. Clutches in the front transaxle engage when the rear wheels slip. Drive to the front wheels is transmitted through two infinitely variable clutch packs that are allowed to 'slip' to give the required road wheel speeds. The front transaxle has three gears, two forward, and reverse. The two forward gears of the front transmission match the lower four forward gears of the rear transmission. It is not used in higher gears. The connection between this gearbox and each front wheel is via independent Haldex-type clutches, without a differential. Due to the difference in ratios, the clutches continually slip and only transmit, at most, 20% of the engine's torque.

Systems by design type

Center differential with mechanical lock

• Alfa Romeo 164Q4 (central viscous coupling, epicyclic unit and Torsen rear differential)
• Alfa Romeo 155Q4 (central epicyclic unit, Ferguson viscous coupling and Torsen rear differential)
• AMC Eagle(central viscous coupling)
• Audi–QuattroCoupé, 80, 90, 100 & 200 (locking center and rear differentials) – up to 1987
• Audi Q7-double pinion 50/50 with lockup clutch pack
• BMW3 seriesand5 seriesin the 1980s – planetary center differential with a 37–63 (front-back) torque split andviscous lock(also in rear differential but not front differential)
• ChevroletRounded-LineK Fleetside,K Stepside,K Blazer,andK Suburban– permanent four-wheel-drive (1973–1979) two-speedNew Process203 transfer case, center differential with 50:50torquesplit and lock. AnEaton Automatic Differential Lockwas optional for the rearhypoiddifferential.
• Ford Escort RS(RS 2000 16v 4×4 models and RS Cosworth), Sierra Cosworth, Sierra and Granada 4×4 models,
• Dodge Power Wagon– permanent four-wheel-drive (1974–1979) two-speedNew Process203 transfer case, center differential with 50:50torquesplit and lock.
• Ford Expedition(1997–present) andExpedition EL/Max(2007–present) – automaticControlTracfour-wheel drive with two-speed dual rangeBorgWarnertransfer case andintelligentlocking centermulti-disc differential
• Ford Explorer(1995–2010) – automaticControlTracfour-wheel drive with two-speed dual range BorgWarner transfer case and intelligent locking center multi-disc differential
• Ford F-Series– permanent four-wheel-drive (1974–1979) two-speedNew Process203 transfer case, center differential with 50:50torquesplit and lock.
• GMCRounded-LineK Wideside,K Fenderside,K Jimmy,andK Suburban– permanent four-wheel-drive (1973–1979) two-speed New Process 203 transfer case, center planetary differential with 50:50 torque split and lock. AnEaton Automatic Differential Lockwas optional for the rear hypoid differential.
• H1 &HumveeNVG 242HD AMG open center differential, locked center differential, Neutral, low range locked. AlsoTorsen1 differentialat the front and rear axle, The H1 moved to Torsen2 when ABS was added. The H1 Alpha had optional locking differentials in place of torsens.
• Hummer H2, H3 40/60 planetary with lock
• Jeep Grand Cherokee, Commander (except models equipped with Quadra-Trac I)
• Jeep Liberty,Jeep Cherokee (XJ),Dodge Durango(Select-Trac) – NV 242 transfer case- rear drive, open center differential, locked center differential, Neutral, low range
• Full size Jeepswith Borg Warner QuadraTrac: limited-slip center differential, 50/50 locked center differential. Low range could be used in locked or unlocked mode, allowing for use of the low range on pavement.
• Land Rover Defender(andSeries IIIV8 models)
• Land Rover Discovery/LR3
• Land Rover Freelander
• Lada Niva(VAZ-2121) – full-time 4WD using open center differential. Transfer case with high/low range and manual central diff lock. Low range selectable in locked or unlocked mode, allowing use on pavement.
• Lexus RX300 -viscous couplingacross the otherwise open center differential.
• Lincoln Navigator(1998–2006) – automaticControlTracfour-wheel drive with two-speed dual range BorgWarner transfer case and intelligent locking center multi-disc differential
  • Navigator and Navigator L (2007–present) use a one-speed single range transfer case, noreduction gearing
• Mercedes-BenzUnimog(locking center and rear with up to 10 low range gears).
• Mercedes-Benz G-Class(locking center and lockers on both front- and rear axle)
• Mercedes-Benz GL-Class–4Maticall-wheel-drive system
• Mitsubishi Pajero(also known as Montero or Shogun)
• Porsche Cayenne – 38/62 planetary with lockup clutch pack
• Range RoverClassic 1970–1995 all full-time 4WD either plate LSD, manual lock or Ferguson viscous center differential.
• Range Rover 2nd Gen. 1994–2002 full-time 4WD Ferguson viscous center differential
• SuzukiGrand Vitara/Escudo (2005 and later models, excepting the XL-7) -full-time 4WD using limited-slip center differential, off-road 4WD with selectable center differential lock and low range transfer case 4 mode (4h, 4h lock, 4l n),traction controlandelectronic stability control
• Subaru– manual transmissions come with 50/50 viscous-type center differential; performance models include a planetary differential with computer-regulated lockup; automatic transmission models have an electronically controlled variable transfer clutch.
• Toyota Land Cruiser
• Toyota Sequoia(Multi-mode)
• Volkswagen Touareg-double pinion 50/50 with lockup clutch pack

Torsen center differential

• Alfa RomeoQ4s – with (TorsenT-3):
  • 156 Crosswagonand Sportwagon
  • 159
  • Brera,Spider
• Audiswithquattro– various iterations of Torsen, the T-3 starting from the 2007B7 RS4
  • 80, 90 & Coupé (Typ 89)
  • 100 & 200
  • A4,S4,RS4
  • A5 & S5
  • A6,S6,RS6
  • A8,S8
  • Q5,Q7
• Bentley Continental GT,Bentley Continental Flying Spur (2005)initially Torsen T-2, current have T-3
• Chevrolet TrailblazerSS Torsen T-3
• Lexus GX470,Toyota Land Cruiser Prado120 Torsen T-3
• Range Rover 3rd Gen. 2002–2009
• Toyota 4Runner(Only 2003-2009 model and 2010+ Limited V6 model) Torsen T-3 with lock
• Toyota FJ Cruiser(only manual models) Torsen T-3 with lock
• Toyota HiluxSurf Torsen T-3 with lock
• Toyota Land Cruiser200/2008/V8 Torsen T-3 with lock
• Toyota Sequoia(only 2005–07 Models)
• Volkswagen Passenger Carswith4motion:
  • Volkswagen PassatTorsen T-2 (B5.5 model, not latest B6 model with transverse engine)
  • Volkswagen PhaetonTorsen T-2

Non-locking center differential

• BMW3-seriesandX5between 2001 andxDrive– planetary center differential with permanent 38–62 (front-back) torque split #
• Cadillac Escalade, STS AWD, SRX AWD (The first two generations had a viscous clutch on the center differential) #
• Chrysler 300C AWD#
• Dodge Ramcharger 1974–1981 – NP203 FullTime 4WD Transfer Case
• Dodge Magnum, Charger AWD #
• GMC Yukon Denali, XL Denali, Sierra Denali #
• Mercedes4MATICcars, R class, and ML class (note some MLs had low range) #
• Plymouth Trail Duster 1974–1981 – NP203 FullTime 4WD Transfer Case
• Toyota Highlander #
• Toyota Sienna AWD (−2010 only) #

The above systems ending with "#" function by selectively using the traction control system (via ABS) to brake a slipping wheel.

Multiple-clutch systems

• AcuraRL, RDX (SH-AWD) Right and left axle shaft
• Acura MDXSH-AWD& VTM4
• Ford Explorer– Ford's full-time shift-on-the-flyIntelligent 4WD System(I-4WD) on the 2011 Explorer withTerrain Management Systemand RSC (Roll Stability Control), Curve Control functionality, HDC (Hill Descent Control) and HAA (Hill Ascent Assist).
• HondaRidgeline
• Honda Pilot
• Infiniti FX(ATTESA E-TS)
• Mercedes-Benz 1st generation4MATIC(normally rear-drive, automatic clutch in transfer case engages 4WD on demand)
• Mitsubishi GTO MR/3000GT VR-4
• Mitsubishi Lancer EvolutionSeriesS-AWC
• 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GTS-AWC
• Mitsubishi Outlander(2003–2006) independent front and rear axle coupling, andActive Center Differential.
• Nissan GT-R(ATTESA E-TS)
• Nissan Skyline GT-R(ATTESA E-TSandATTESA E-TS-PRO) front axle coupling, rear differential locking
• Nissan SkylineGTS4 (ATTESA E-TS)
• Nissan A31 Cefiro SE4 (ATTESA E-TS)
• Porsche 959PSK front axle coupling, rear differential locking
• Saab 9-3,Saab 9-5,Saab 9-4X(Saab XWD)

Multi-plate clutch coupling

• Audi A3quattro,Audi S3,Audi TTquattro,Audi R8(withHaldex Traction)
• BMWxDrive:latest 3 Series,latest 5 series,X3,latest X5 series
• Chevrolet Equinox(GMPCA)
• Chrysler Pacifica(BorgWarnerITM3e) (on 2007 model)
• Dodge Nitro(Quadra-Trac1)
• Dodge Caliber
• Ford:Escape, Freestyle, Edge, Fusion, Five Hundred (Freestyle, FiveHundredHaldex Tractionbased) (EscapeControl Trac II,based)
• Honda CR-V,HR-V, Element
• Hyundai Santa Fe,Hyundai TucsonBorg-Warner ITM 3e magnetic multi-plate clutch coupling
• Hyundai VeracruzIMJ magnetic multi-plate clutch coupling
• Infiniti:G35x, M35x
• Jeep Compass(Freedom Drive)
• Jeep Grand Cherokeeand SRT8 NVG 249, 247
• Land Rover Freelander 2/LR2 (alsoHaldex Traction)
• Lamborghini:AWD variants VT series (viscous traction)
• Lincoln:MKS, MKZ
• Mazdaspeed6(a power takeoff unit linked to clutch pack with torque sensitive rear differential)
• Mazda:Mazda3, Mazdaspeed6, Tribute, CX-3, CX-30, CX-5, CX-50, CX-60, CX-7, CX-8, CX-9 (tributeControl Trac II,based)
• Mercury:Milan, Montego, Mariner (MontegoHaldex Traction–based)
• Mitsubishi Outlander(current generation)
• Nissan Muranoautomatic with manual lockup switch
• Porsche 911AWD variants (a version ofBorgWarnerITM3e) — excluding the 964-series Porsche 911 Carrera 4 31/69 planetary center differential
• Pontiac Torrent(GMPCA)
• Subarulow powered automatic transmission models
• Subaru Legacy,Outback,Impreza,Forester,Tribecaautomatic transmission models: mechanical front drive, clutch coupled rear axle
• Suzuki:SX4, XL7, Aerio, Swift/Cultus based Subaru Justy. (viscous clutch)
• Toyota RAV4– from 2005 (third generation only)
• Toyota SiennaAWD (2011 and newer only)
• Volkswagen Golf4motion,Volkswagen Jetta4motion,Volkswagen Tiguan4motion,Volkswagen Passat(B6) 4motion (initially viscous coupling, later withHaldex Traction)
• Volvo:S40, S60, S80, V50, V70, XC70, XC90 (Visco system until 2003; then allHaldex Traction–based)

Note: the above all function like 2WD when the multi-plate clutch coupling is not engaged (with exception of Subaru models), and like 4WD high-range in a part-time 4WD system when the clutch is engaged (usually by computer although some allow manual control). Some in this category have varying degrees of control in the torque distribution between front and rear by allowing some of the clutches in a multi-plate clutch coupling to engage and slip varying amounts. An example of a system like this is the BorgWarneri-Trac(TM) system. Note: theHaldex Traction-based car list was created from the list on Haldex Traction corporate website:Haldex Cars.A version of theBorgWarnerITM3e system is used on 2006 and up Porsche 911TT's. The Borg-Warner ITM 3e is also used in the 2006-nowHyundai Santa Feand theHyundai Tucson.In the Hyundais, the ITM 3e acts like a full-time AWD with 95:5 normal torque split. In extreme conditions, the system can be locked in a 50:50 split via the 4WD LOCK button.

Part-time

These are vehicles that have no center differential. Since there is no center differential to allow for speed differences between the front and rear wheels when turning, a small amount of tire slippage must occur during turns. When used on slick surfaces, this is not a problem, but when turning on dry pavement, the tires grip, then are forced to slip, then grip again, and so on, until the turn is completed. This causes the vehicle to exhibit a 'hopping' or 'binding' sensation. Using an engaged part-time 4WD system on a hard surface is not recommended, as damage to the drive-line eventually occurs. Part-time transfer cases are the industry standard transfer case for the 4x4 truck market. Any other transfer case can be considered more robust, however more moving parts and complexity can, sometimes, make other transfer cases less durable.

See also

• 4WS
• Dune bashing
• Four-wheel drive in Formula One
• Limited slip differential
• Off-road vehicle
• Rock crawling
• Sport utility vehicle
• Transfer case
• Driveline windup