As we all know the CLA45 AMG is fwd bias 100-0 for daily driving and can split the power up to 50-50. Recently in several interviews I’ve heard Mercedes officials state that in sport modes that the default bias of 100-0 will change to something that suites sportier driving. They haven’t said what it will be though Does anybody know?
AWD config in sport modes?
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No but that is a critical issue for me. I want to be able to track the car and having a car that drives like a Volvo (Volvo uses the same front drive biased Haldex AWD system) is a deal killer for me.
I found this quote for the A45:
"An exclusive feature is the interaction of the AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive with the 3-stage ESP® and the ESP® Curve Dynamic Assist. The three ESP® stages enable the driver to vary the dynamics of the A 45 AMG according to his individual wishes at the push of a button. The safety-oriented "ESP ON" mode supports the driver in maintaining neutral handling characteristics. The system initiates braking intervention on one or more wheels and reduces the engine torque on detecting that the operating conditions are becoming unstable.
Briefly pressing the ESP® button activates "ESP SPORT Handling" mode. This dynamically oriented driving mode applies appropriate control strategies for later ESP® intervention and increased drive torque at the rear axle. This means more fun at the wheel for drivers who are keen to exploit the vehicle's dynamic potential. Pressing the ESP® button longer activates "ESP OFF". In this mode, the ESP® functions are not available. ESP OFF should only be used by experienced drivers on cordoned-off race tracks. When the driver steps on the brake pedal in the course of braking in "SPORT Handling" mode or "ESP OFF" mode, all the safety functions of the ESP® system are restored."
Are they kidding? An AMG that you can turn off the stability control (good) but that it comes on as soon as you hit the brakes? You've got to be kidding!!! I'm hoping this is a typo because that would prove once again that AMG doesn't have a clue how to build a true performance car.
I thought I had finally found an upscale replacement for my Evo ( finally a dual clutch tranny, decent power, awd etc) but the more I read the more it sounds like wishful thinking. I don't think it even has a torque vectoring rear diff!
If anyone can clarify these issues for me it would be greatly appreciated.
I found this quote for the A45:
"An exclusive feature is the interaction of the AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive with the 3-stage ESP® and the ESP® Curve Dynamic Assist. The three ESP® stages enable the driver to vary the dynamics of the A 45 AMG according to his individual wishes at the push of a button. The safety-oriented "ESP ON" mode supports the driver in maintaining neutral handling characteristics. The system initiates braking intervention on one or more wheels and reduces the engine torque on detecting that the operating conditions are becoming unstable.
Briefly pressing the ESP® button activates "ESP SPORT Handling" mode. This dynamically oriented driving mode applies appropriate control strategies for later ESP® intervention and increased drive torque at the rear axle. This means more fun at the wheel for drivers who are keen to exploit the vehicle's dynamic potential. Pressing the ESP® button longer activates "ESP OFF". In this mode, the ESP® functions are not available. ESP OFF should only be used by experienced drivers on cordoned-off race tracks. When the driver steps on the brake pedal in the course of braking in "SPORT Handling" mode or "ESP OFF" mode, all the safety functions of the ESP® system are restored."
Are they kidding? An AMG that you can turn off the stability control (good) but that it comes on as soon as you hit the brakes? You've got to be kidding!!! I'm hoping this is a typo because that would prove once again that AMG doesn't have a clue how to build a true performance car.
I thought I had finally found an upscale replacement for my Evo ( finally a dual clutch tranny, decent power, awd etc) but the more I read the more it sounds like wishful thinking. I don't think it even has a torque vectoring rear diff!
If anyone can clarify these issues for me it would be greatly appreciated.
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First of all you can't compare a Volvo to MB AMG. Not even in the same galaxy. As with the ESP OFF I think they were trying to show how to bring the ESP back on, I know for a fact the C63 AMG you can turn the ESP OFF and it stays off. Let me tell you it's a beast to handle with ESP OFF, you can even look up Top Gear test driving it with ESP OFF.
How does AMG "once again not have a clue how to build a performance car"? Have you seen the cars they put out? I'm very sure you know better than that.
I'm speaking strictly from a technology/engineering perspective.
I don't care what the brand is if a product uses the same system (ie: Haldex) what matters to me is how it works, not what the brand is. MB states the CLA45 defaults to 100% front wheel drive, exactly like the Volvo.
My reference to "performance car" is because I spend a lot of time on the track. The C63 AMG is a decent performance car for the street but pales significantly on the track as those of us that have had the experience of being in one on the track can attest (CLS AMG as well). You simply can not get away from the fact that weight and an automatic transmission (dual clutch automated transmissions excepted as they are awesome on the track!) do not make for a good combination on a racetrack. That is why I am interested in the CLA45 as it is light enough and at first glance, appears to have the specs that would make it good for the track. I certainly hope you are right about the ESP being able to stay off. As I have said that is an absolute deal killer for me as it would be painful to drive on the track unless you could keep it off.
I don't care what the brand is if a product uses the same system (ie: Haldex) what matters to me is how it works, not what the brand is. MB states the CLA45 defaults to 100% front wheel drive, exactly like the Volvo.
My reference to "performance car" is because I spend a lot of time on the track. The C63 AMG is a decent performance car for the street but pales significantly on the track as those of us that have had the experience of being in one on the track can attest (CLS AMG as well). You simply can not get away from the fact that weight and an automatic transmission (dual clutch automated transmissions excepted as they are awesome on the track!) do not make for a good combination on a racetrack. That is why I am interested in the CLA45 as it is light enough and at first glance, appears to have the specs that would make it good for the track. I certainly hope you are right about the ESP being able to stay off. As I have said that is an absolute deal killer for me as it would be painful to drive on the track unless you could keep it off.
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I've driven and owned several cars with Haldex AWD systems including my current Volvo S60R (with which I've surprised more than one C63 owner...but that's beside the point). The moment the system senses any slip it sends power back to the rear. It's more or less instantaneous so it doesn't feel like you're driving a FWD sedan that sometimes remembers it has AWD. The same was true of my MKI TT Quattro. While the differences between the system on a Subie (I've owned a few) or Evo might start to show more on a track, you will be hard pressed (in my opinion) to see the benefits of those systems over a good Haldex implementation in every day driving. I've driven both of those cars through some pretty deep snow, too, and never got caught up in anything. I used to call the TT my little red snowmobile.
Just my $.02,
-Eric
Just my $.02,
-Eric
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