Why Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is Better
Every all-wheel drive system is not the same. In 1972, we began
developing our all-wheel drive system
with a commitment to simplicity, to working in harmony with the
forces of nature, and to making every moment behind
the wheel a rewarding experience. Nearly 40 years worth of
development later, Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive stands
out from the crowd with advantages like the stability of its
almost total side-to-side symmetry, the brilliant efficiency
of its power delivery, and its quick response to wheel slippage.Better Balance
It's
much easier for your vehicle to break traction if only two tires are
required to handle all the
engine's power. And if slippage occurs when only your rear
wheels are engaged, your control is greatly compromised.
The rear wheels can move sideways, out of alignment with the
rest of the vehicle. You'll feel an unsettling loss of
control, and possibly experience oversteer in a corner. In a
worst-case scenario, a highly dangerous spinout may result
if the rear wheels don't regain traction.Quicker Response
The more your wheels are engaged with the road, the more control you
have. Some other AWD systems engage
all four wheels only when a loss of traction is detected. By
then, your control has already been compromised. Subaru
Symmetrical AWD keeps power routed to all four wheels all the
time, helping to better prevent slippage before it happens.
And if slippage does occur, its simple and efficient design --
with power flowing in one direction and minimal mechanical
components -- allows it to respond more quickly. It immediately
reduces engine power to the slipping wheel and gives
it to the wheels that have traction.Efficient Design
Because some systems lack the simplicity of Subaru Symmetrical
AWD, they therefore not only sacrifice
efficiency, but also can incur more wear and tear. The engine on
a Subaru is mounted longitudinally -- in line with
the driveshaft -- so power routes directly from the engine to
all four wheels. The components of some other systems
-- like those with transversely mounted engines -- needed to
change the direction where power flows are not needed
on a Subaru. Less components means less things to break down,
and it also means less power loss due to friction. And
with power continually flowing with maximum efficiency, you
experience the advantage of seamless traction whenever
you need it.
Dynamic Acceleration
Wherever or however you drive, if you want action, you need
traction. Whenever you take off from a stop,
or accelerate out of a corner, getting power to the pavement and
holding the road is essential. If you lose traction
when accelerating, it takes away from the control you have over
the vehicle, and it robs the power you need to move
forward. Subaru Symmetrical AWD maximizes power delivery to each
of the four wheels and offers balance and stability
that help the vehicle take advantage of every bit of traction
available. Which in turn allows you to take advantage
of every bit of engine power available.
Accident Avoidance
When danger steps into your path, the safest route is to step
right around it. Subaru Symmetrical AWD
routes power continuously to all four wheels, which means each
of your four tires are as fully engaged with the road
as possible at all times. Should you encounter a hazard, you're
more likely to have the traction to react and get out
of the way. While securely holding the road can make a decisive
difference in dry conditions, it's especially important
when road conditions are less than ideal. And because you need
exceptional control and poise to make that evasive maneuver
without overcorrecting, the balanced layout of Subaru
Symmetrical AWD helps give you the stability to act quickly without
making a bad situation even worse.