- Joined
- Dec 1, 2021
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- 1,248
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- MIDDLETOWN, MD
- Vehicle(s)
- '22 Badlands ordered 12/17/2021 - Arrived 3/25/22
In addition to the 2 AWD/4WD articles I linked to above (post #40) I found this one:
https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a27630736/awd-vs-4wd/
All 3 are worth reading. The Jalopnik article is long and detailed. I'm into this stuff but my eyes began to glaze over.
Remember, I'm just the messenger:
The author is somewhat critical of the AWD system in the BS BL:
Modern “4WD Lock” Buttons
"This brings me to something of a personal sore spot with some on-demand AWD vehicles - buttons that suggest that a center or rear differential can be locked. A prime example would be the new Bronco Sport Badlands which has what looks like a center and rear diff lock button. Given that they have no center differential, or even rear differential (more on that in a minute), what do these actually do?"
“Most are just little more than a marketing gimmick,” says Chip. “They lock the coupling for a short time, usually only at low speeds. Some stay locked with steering input and others open the coupling [as needed].”
("Chip" is "Chip Fairbanks, an engineer who worked on various AWD systems for a major supplier")
This video demonstrates what the author is talking about. It's not a BS, but apparently a similar system:
"SNOW vs LOCK vs AUTO - Suzuki Vitara 1.4T All Grip on ice & snow - 4WD control"
My response is that 'the proof is in the pudding. As we all know, the BS BL does VERY well in real-world off-road conditions.
https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a27630736/awd-vs-4wd/
All 3 are worth reading. The Jalopnik article is long and detailed. I'm into this stuff but my eyes began to glaze over.
Remember, I'm just the messenger:
The author is somewhat critical of the AWD system in the BS BL:
Modern “4WD Lock” Buttons
"This brings me to something of a personal sore spot with some on-demand AWD vehicles - buttons that suggest that a center or rear differential can be locked. A prime example would be the new Bronco Sport Badlands which has what looks like a center and rear diff lock button. Given that they have no center differential, or even rear differential (more on that in a minute), what do these actually do?"
“Most are just little more than a marketing gimmick,” says Chip. “They lock the coupling for a short time, usually only at low speeds. Some stay locked with steering input and others open the coupling [as needed].”
("Chip" is "Chip Fairbanks, an engineer who worked on various AWD systems for a major supplier")
This video demonstrates what the author is talking about. It's not a BS, but apparently a similar system:
"SNOW vs LOCK vs AUTO - Suzuki Vitara 1.4T All Grip on ice & snow - 4WD control"
My response is that 'the proof is in the pudding. As we all know, the BS BL does VERY well in real-world off-road conditions.
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