Tech Thursday: How Subaru’s modern AWD systems work

5 July, 2017

For some, All Wheel Drive is some kind of black magic that keeps four tyres attached to the road.

For the rest of us, there is some actual science and structure involved alongside an understanding of torque vectoring, and … uhhhhh, OK, I’m in the first camp. This vid does a pretty decent job of actually explaining how the AWD OGs, Subaru, keep their wheels in motion. Then not. Then in motion again.

Probably best to watch this guy explain it. Better living everyone!

Merry Christmas from NZ Classic Car magazine

The Classic Car magazine team is taking a few weeks’ holiday from the work computer and heading to the beach for some kickback time.
Merry Christmas, and have a wonderful summer holiday to all our readers, followers, and fans. Enjoy this special extra time with the family. We will be posting archive articles again in mid to late January.
Have fun, be good and be careful out there.

Two engines instead of one?

Popping two motors into a car is not only complicated, it doesn’t always end well. Donn Anderson recalls early attempts, including John Cooper’s ill-fated original Twini Mini built 58 years ago

For a boost in performance, better traction, and perhaps improved handling to some, two motors seems an obvious solution. It would also eliminate the need to develop a larger engine replacement from scratch, but would that outweigh the not inconsiderable technical difficulties?
The idea of using a pair of engines dates back at least 86 years to the Alfa Romeo Bimotor single seater racing car that was officially timed at 335km/h, or 208mph. Taking a lengthened Alfa P3 chassis, the Italians fitted two supercharged straight eight 2.9-litre and 3.2-litre engines, one in front of the cockpit, and the other behind the cockpit.