One of the available features of the new Cadillac XTS, arriving in showrooms this summer, is the Haldex All-wheel drive system with electronically controlled limited slip differential.
The advantage of this system:
- All-wheel drive traction for improved control & safety in rain or snow
while the disadvantages:
- slightly more weight
- 1 mpg less highway fuel economy
Traditionally the disadvantages to an AWD system have been more severe. The new system is lighter and more capable which act to mitigate the disadvantages and improve the advantages.
Cadillac notes:
A smart Haldex all-wheel-drive system – with an electronic limited-slip differential that splits torque between the rear wheels – complements an advanced HiPer Strut front suspension and standard Magnetic Ride Control real-time damping to give the XTS sure-footed, confident and comfortable ride and handling traits. A linked H-arm design with “air springs” comprises the rear suspension.
One of the features previously discussed for the XTS AWD (see discussion here) was the ability to ‘tune’ the powertrain to have the same characteristics as a rear-wheel drive vehicle.
Another feature I would like to see is a full performance version of the AWD hardware — say on a future CTS-V — with the advantage of full hp launches with AWD traction. I am hopeful that as Cadillac continues to develop these systems along with Haldex that we will see a high-performance version some day.
