Is the Teramont a full-time four-wheel drive or an on-demand four-wheel drive?
2 Answers
The Teramont is a full-time four-wheel drive. Full-time four-wheel drive distributes driving force to all four wheels through a flexibly connected central differential and independent front and rear axle differentials. The differential in a full-time four-wheel drive system can be either a viscous coupling type or a multi-clutch type, but both allow for a speed difference between the front and rear wheels, as well as between the left and right wheels. Whether a vehicle has full-time four-wheel drive depends entirely on the construction of the transfer case. The Teramont is a large SUV launched by SAIC Volkswagen, with dimensions of 5039mm in length, 1989mm in width, and 1773mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2980mm. In terms of configuration, this vehicle is equipped with features such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, collision warning, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof.
In fact, the Touareg's four-wheel drive system is considered full-time four-wheel drive, much like Volkswagen's 4MOTION technology, designed to deliver power to all wheels at all times. This gives me the impression that driving on slippery or snowy roads feels exceptionally stable, with no slipping at all, making it perfect for northern winters. However, this also comes with some drawbacks, such as slightly higher fuel consumption compared to on-demand four-wheel drive, since the engine constantly supplies power to all four wheels. I remember last year when I took the Touareg on a road trip and encountered heavy rain; handling turns was incredibly smooth—I was really glad it was a full-time AWD vehicle. Unlike some on-demand four-wheel-drive cars that might require waiting for the system to switch before delivering power, the Touareg doesn’t hesitate—it’s stable right from the start. If you frequently tackle challenging road conditions, this is definitely a great choice.