[C45]

Autoweek Review - "it can send all engine power to the rear"

Autoweek Review out today!

it can send all engine power to the rear???

The seven-speed Speedshift transaxle is similar in design and concept to the dual-clutch automatics in other AMG products, packaged in a case for transverse application. Gear ratios are higher across the board than those in the CLA250, with three overdrive gears on top, and the CLA 45's final drive ratio is nearly 50 percent lower.

In the CLA the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system is fairly simple, but effective. A power-takeoff on the transaxle constantly turns a drive shaft to the rear axle. When the management system detects front-wheel slip a multiplate clutch on the rear differential engages, without waiting for the drive shaft to spool up. Default torque delivery is 100 percent front. Depending on several variables, including vehicle speed; lateral and longitudinal acceleration; steering angle; friction differences between wheels and accelerator position, the rear differential will engage and power up the rear wheels -- typically dividing torque 50-50, but, for brief bursts on extreme low-friction surfaces, it can send all engine power to the rear.

2014 Mercedes CLA45 AMG review, specs, photo gallery, pricing and driving impressions - Autoweek

 

[MBFrank]

All the things I've seen online by MB say that it can go from 100 front 0 rear to 50 front 50 rear. But then again they also say it's infinitely variable so they are contradicting themselves!

 

[osiris_x11]

I'm sure it can send all the power to the rear in certain conditions, meaning no power to the front in those instances. But that doesn't necessarily mean that all 330'ish+ hp going to the rear wheels. It'd likely be proportioned & vectored based on the conditions that warrant such distribution (front wheels show little-to-no grip, etc).

 

[mglotustvr]

- typically dividing torque 50-50, but, for brief bursts on extreme low-friction surfaces, it can send all engine power to the rear.

This last quote doesn't make sense, on extreme low-friction surfaces EVEN distribution to four wheels would be more beneficial.

 

[AMG Boost]

- typically dividing torque 50-50, but, for brief bursts on extreme low-friction surfaces, it can send all engine power to the rear.

This last quote doesn't make sense, on extreme low-friction surfaces EVEN distribution to four wheels would be more beneficial.

Not if the front wheels are on ice and the rear wheels are on concrete.