Re: Torsen or not Torsen? That is my question..

[tlazay@ultranet.com]

>>When accelerating around a corner, a U-Turn in this case. The rear wheels
>>would break loose (50/50) and the car would fishtail slightly. Without
>>straightening the wheel or letting up on the gas, the car would straighten
>>itself out and accelerate like crazy. I'm guessing (correct me if I'm wrong)
>>that as the rear broke free, the Torsen transferred power to the front
>>wheels (75/25) allowing the front wheels to pull the car and therefore
>>letting the rear wheels catch and fall in line.

>If I recall, A4q does not have torsen differential. Rather, A4q does it
>with electronic differential lock (EDL??) derived from anti-lock breaking
>system. All in all, the EDL simulates torsen differential. But purists
>claim they are different, as EDL works *after* the wheel starts spinning,
>whereas torsens is working *all* the time. Note that EDL is automatically
>disabled beyond 25mph, whereas torsen is still working. The A4q has open
>differentials all around.

You must be mistaken. Actually the A4Q does have a torsen center
differential and open front and rear diffs (with EDL) (I'm reading it in the
drivetrain specification). The Torsen manages the front and rear power
transfer and the EDL system manages side to side power transfer. 

If the right wheels are slipping, the right brakes are pulsed, transferring
power to the left side. If both rear wheels slip, EDL does not engage but
the Torsen transfers power to the front. If only the right front wheel
slips... I'm not sure what happens. I'm guessing that the Torsen would send
power to the rear and EDL would activate the right front brake only. That's
my guess.

Does anyone know if Torsen is exclusive to Audi?

-Tom 
'97 A4Q