How Powerful is Audi's quattro All-Wheel Drive System?

[OMartin]

Here are the impressive features of Audi's quattro all-wheel drive system: The essence of quattro lies in its Torsen Type C center differential, commonly referred to as the planetary gear center differential. Below are three key advantages: 1. Pure mechanical structure, rapid response: The Torsen center differential employs a worm gear meshing system with self-locking capability, automatically distributing torque between the front and rear axles based on road conditions. It requires no electronic controllers for distribution and has zero reaction time due to its direct mechanical linkage. 2. High reliability, maintenance-free: The Torsen mechanical center differential, being entirely gear-driven without clutches, offers superior reliability compared to multi-plate clutch differentials. It features no complex oil circuits, no stacked clutch plates, and no electronic control mechanisms—its simple structure ensures easy maintenance even if damaged. 3. Wide torque transfer range: Clutch plates tend to slip under excessive torque, leading to sliding friction, which inherently limits torque capacity. Additionally, the crown gear structure is weaker than planetary gears, making the Torsen-based quattro superior in off-road performance compared to the current quattro Ultra.