Xdrive vs Quattro vs 4matic

[@CyberLama95]

You can see at the very beginning of the video that the ramp has "Xdrive" written on it. It's a test organized by BMW and absolutely not biased of course.

[@xIcarus227]

It's not biased in the way you think. xDrive is simply good at this particular scenario (hill climb), because it can send 100% of the torque to the rear.

[@Trades46]

xDrive is an on-demand system set at f:r 0:100 in normal conditions and a multiplate clutch can transfer 50:50 depending on conditions. Quattro and 4matic are full-time systems with f:r 40:60 and 45:55 respectively. Under such conditions, it's a no-brainer why the X3 perform so much better, since all the engine torque is already at the rear in the first place!

[@xIcarus227]

This ain't true at all, xDrive is a permanent AWD system. The default torque split is either 40:60 or 30:70 depending on the car.

[@refugiorod]

I but a Mercedez E55 Amg and boy did I fall in love with german engineering. . I felt safe, everythin g inside was made of quality. I recently traded it for a working truck but I miss my car..

[@Bogeythebest]

4 matic is the best in SNOW...and i didnt see the differences,they all get to the same point ?

[@bobbyschweiss89]

They weren't testing the traction of the tires, they were testing the ability of the transfer case and limited slip to transfer power appropriately so that it would just spin the front tires.

[@BenzinioB]

It is not very correct to put it on two rollers. Basically the Q5 is FWD and it is normal to have wheel spin before transfer power to the rear. In the same time everyone evaluate the GLK as the most capable off-roader, when the xDrive is design for faster cornering... However, the real work of the AWD systems in all 3 cars could be seen better on 4 rollers simulating traction at just 1 wheel - front and back.

[@BradMarchandtheSlewFooter]

The Q5 is not FWD your agrument is invalid

[@BenzinioB]

***** Q5 is not full time AWD - this is not the good old quarto. It use Haldex (I think) so basically it is FWD car which transfer power to the rear only after detect wheel spin. That is what I'm talking about...

[@ciccio383]

No i'm sorry this isn't the cause of the q5's spinning tires, the differences among these cars are only in differential lock! In the q5 is mechanical so to lock it the tires have to spin for a while, in bmw and mercedes in Electronic so it locks immediately when it perceives that some wheel is spinning!

[@SaltyDog81]

benzfen That's wrong. Q5 is Torsen (like old Quattros), not Haldex. With Haldex the Q5 would have passed this test better (xDrive is similar to Haldex).

[@BenzinioB]

SaltyDog81 well... actually you are right... I didn't know it. Then the explanation should be that Torsen is mechanical based and need more tome to react then the electronically controlled xDrive...

[@ChristianGrytten]

i bet there are summer tires on the audi and mercedes.

[@dancazacu9591]

😂😂😂

[@valefur72]

In this peculiar test, the X-Drive transmission is superior because the central clutch that manage the system works like a limited slip differential. The torque will never go completely to an axle or the other neither for a second... Simple but effective... On the other side a system like this may cause an understeering behavior to the car, driving fast on the snow...

[@xIcarus227]

xDrive is known to cause oversteer, not understeer.

[@valefur72]

@@xIcarus227 my two 530d X drive oversteered entering the turns on the snow and after, when the torque went on the front wheels, undesteered... A strange behaviour...

[@medzoPuh]

4:16 the Audi made it. Front tires got over the rollbars. But those BMW assholes stoped and reversed as if nothing happened

[@salemsuljkanovic2067]

They didn't watch 1.25 ;)

[@Trades46]

The Mercedes and BMW (GLK and X3) are based off the 3 series/ C-Class chassis, meaning it's a rear-biased system. The Q5 has the same chassis as the A4, which is designed with more front-biased power than the GLK and X3. No surprise it didn't fare well in this test. Next time, try the 'Real World'.

[@denislavsheyretov3025]

If noone noticed, at the very beggining of the video there is a Xdrive sign on the ramp, so yeah it is 100% staged. Moreover only on the X3's door there there are signs of the system (Xdrive). Go on watch it again and you will see how pathetic BMW really are!!!

[@xIcarus227]

It's not 'staged', they simply picked a situation where xDrive is better. It's biased, but not 'staged'.

[@Holgi0567]

@MiguelRelvas1 flashing ESP-light doesnt necessarily mean the x-drive AND DSC is active. press n hold the DSC-Button and DSC and X-Drive are deactivated but "normal" ESP is still active so the light will flash although the wheels spin a bit coz thats especially made for really slipery conditions where normal DSC would take all the engine power away coz of too much slip. Press n hold it again and ESP is deactivated completely (no flashing light @ all) press again and everything is online, again.

[@david1235102]

I think I've heard that about the TT before. I believe VW's AWD is the Haldex system too right?

[@Trades46]

Changed since the move from Audi onto the newer MLB platform. The Audi A4 B8 started to usage of a 40:60 split in normal conditions for a FR driving feel (and less understeer). I've been told the Q7 however keeps a 50:50 and the R8 uses a even further 15:85. All other Audis since 2009 had started to use 40:60 as standard.

[@bezimenianon]

40:60 = Quattro

[@Trades46]

Quattro Gen V has the best coverage: default to 40/60 and can change from 70/30 to 15/85 F:R. Power is distributed by Torsen mechanical centre differential. 4matic Gen 4 default 45:55 and can vary from 70:30 to 30:70 F:R. Distribution is handled by a multi-disc limited slip diff integrated in gearbox. xDrive default 0:100 and varies to 50:50. It lacks a centre diff (Audi and MB has one) and unlike the other 2 is a pro-active system (not full-time). Distribution is handled by a multiplate unit.

[@xIcarus227]

I don't know why you're spreading this misinformation, xDrive is a permanent AWD system with a 40:60 or 30:70 default torque split. It can shift torque up to 50:50 or 0:100. It has a transfer case instead of a center diff.

[@jasperhapponen4074]

quattro is best on snow, and slippery things, but xdrive can spin every wheel at diffrent speed. My favourite is Quattro.

[@Trades46]

Glad to be of help. Just to add onto my last comment, I forgot about the A3 and TT which uses a Haldex unit (not Audi`s usual Torsen setup). The A3 and TT is actually more front-biased (around 70% front) and only locks-up to 50:50 in event of front-slippage.

[@NocturneSonate]

The video shows that the Quattro is unresponsive to the front wheels slip in traction (The rear wheels should have taken over). Traction Control limits throttle input when it senses traction loss. You can floor a car with Traction Control and as soon as traction is broken the TCS will manage your throttle.

[@dragonman4994]

BMW starts at 1:00 Merc starts at 2:30 Audi starts at 3:55

[@luisz2853]

Hero 👍

[@SINasTER75]

I would really like to see the same test but with the rear wheels being in the free-spin instead of the front wheels... Then we would see that the Xdrive system isn't better at all

[@H.R.T.P]

Yea, we have those deals too, but you have to lease them and you also get 1 set of tyres every couple thousand km..

[@dimitrisvarsos8896]

Why did they put gaffer tape on the bumpers ???

[@tiagotiagot]

What exactly is being tested here? If it is the distribution of power to all wheels with different wheels getting different amounts of traction, wouldn't the test be more accurate if it had all wheels on rollers and different brake amounts applied to each roller (obviously, with the car kept from moving) ?

[@714john]

1:00 for the beamstros 2:30 for the benzos 3:55 for the quattros :) enjoy!

[@Rolsted8]

@levinoss08 Don't you think that the BMW has another power distribution if you put it in snow-mode?

[@jonnyroy]

The difference is center differential. The Q7 has an LSD center diff, it needs wheel speed difference to transfer power back. The other two have electronic locking diffs using ABS systems. In this test Audi looks bad but in real world computers cannot understand everything that happens every second on the slippery stuff. Mechanical diffs for the win.

[@giggi4455]

hey I have really done some looking into it and I have narrowed it down to audi.I'm a single guy, so no wife or kids, and I want an all day driver and I live in Canada, so ya know we get snow during winter. I'm pretty well-off, but not balling for a8 ;) so I'm thinking a5. convertible and it has awd. so perfect I think. good choice? audi good in snow even if convertible, right?

[@red91sitoriginal]

@ekowrichex Tires play no part in this test, they're simply measuring the effectiveness of the center diffrential at distrubiting power between the front and rear axles when the front looses traction

[@Goproflying]

@fnjeep314 He keeps stopping to demonstraight how effective and fast the power transfer is from the front to the rear wheels. I don't see the problem.

[@H.R.T.P]

Yea, but the dealer where my dad got his from, they give him another one to take home until they finish fixing it.. this is only the second time.. but it is pretty old, a 2005 model..

[@localfishinghole]

A couple of points I would make. xDrive is an excellant system that has proven itself. The Audi Quattro is extremely effective however and it is obvious this video set up the Quattro for failure, the vehicle was proceeding up the ramp but the driver halted the progress. The xDrive doesn't need that kind of advantage. Both systems work well... both systems will routinely pass my Subaru on a snowpack road unless the snow gets deep. So do you want a BMW or Audi, eiher is a good choice.

[@Maddiedog8]

All 3 of them are really GOOD cars I mean the bmw is good in safety and technology Audi is good in looks and design and Mercedes is good at off road and good at being convenient!

[@Holgi0567]

@MiguelRelvas1 oh, i dont see it as "failing" its just two different systems and since the X-series isnt build for off road driving BMW pulled away from a "predefined" sharing of power for the 2 axes but invented a system that can push the whole engine power to the axes with the best traction. that actually isnt clever for off road driving but extremely clever for driving on slippery winter roads

[@BATM56]

I used to drive a BMW 330xi, now drive MB C350 4Matic. I live in Winnipeg, so I'm faced with snow for 4-5 months per year. The 4Matic is much better in snow and ice than the 330xi, although I must admit that tires may play a big part as well (Michelin Blizzak LM22 run flats on the BMW versus Pirelli Sottozero on the MB).

[@y2kbug77]

So pointless. You can't just hammer the gas like that.

[@helldiego]

+y2kbug77 with haldex you need, to make a bigger difference in wheel speeds and enough torque to translate on rear axle. if the test was maked in other way - try to go upside in rear gear audi will won

[@sirtubemaster]

@fnjeep314 From what i see; the car starts moving sideways towards driver side and was being cautious as to not pop over the side and wreck something

[@SINasTER75]

I own an Audi A4 Quattro AND a BMW 335xi, and let me tell you that when conditions are at there worst, I take the Audi out because I know for a fact that I will never get stuck with it. Got out of 2 feet of snow with it without even having a second thought. My bimmer struggles in 8 inches of snow and it's VERY tail happy... Quattro is the best for winter, but if you want good performances during summer and need just "some helps" during winter driving, then get a bimmer!

[@apersson850]

What's the point with proving that basically rear-wheel driven cars can manage without traction under their front wheels?

[@Trades46]

I've rode on the GLK before and I own a C, and I could tell they're almost mechanically identical. Even the interior, engine choices and 4matic system is the same. The only difference is the GLK rolls like a van in the corners, hence I brought the C.

[@muhittinbey4472]

The quattro is better than all of them.

[@Trades46]

Anyone who said that should be shot on the spot! RWD is the best for performance vehicles as AWD tends to understeer. With modern tech however, AWD biased towards RWD (like GT-R) has proven to be the best of both worlds. I'm saying RWD and Rear-biased AWD is the best for dry performance, and 50:50 for loose-surfaces.

[@GuyOnYouTube]

I don't see any difference between the MB and the BMW. Audi quattro just fails...

[@Drd4all]

I don't see anything wrong with either car, just because they work in different ways doesn't mean one is inferior to the other. After all, all 3 got over the rollers.

[@pradheep88]

its not a test. it seems chinese is trying to figure out which one is easy to Counterfeit.

[@user-op4qi9om5z]

right, and that's why they had these Koreans doing the tests for them

[@chenqihua3860]

dude..clearly that's korean ..

[@micooooo7]

That's Korean okay?

[@bernardhossmoto]

Do it with 3 wheels on rollers and the Audi will be the only one that fails.

[@megaflex48]

i drive a c class and my wife has a ml 350. here in chicago haven't had any problems yet.

[@marcromodevivar]

The BMW X drive is primary rear wheel drive with a 70 rear 30 front, and Audi and Merc are opposite, 70 front and 30 rear, so BMW knows obviously that and did this test on propouse!

[@JohnSmith-tz9qf]

What are you talking about???? Xdrive: 37:63 if I'm not mistaken (front/rear) Quattro: 50:50 (usually, in the traditional Quattro with Torsen differential, not the Haldex) 4matic: 40:60 (sometimes 45:55, depending on what type of car, SUV or sedan/coupe/wagon)

[@4x4PROX]

I dont know why people choose other cars than BMW and then try to justify their cars by bashing BMW, personally I love all these three brands and would drive any of them with pride, they are all engineering marbles and have their own personalities. I currently drive a 3 series Bimmer and I love it, but I love the new A4 and C300 aswell.

[@audiquattro111]

its all in esp systems off or on..

[@KinariCuzz]

@MrLowAltitude Indeed, the reason I chose the merc and the bimmer over the audi is because im not a big fan of audis. I would much rather have subarus awd system over any of these. And as a small side-note, this test isnt that bad. This is pretty much what it looks like when you get stuck in snow/mud.

[@BenMaviyiSeverim]

it would be better to see those rear wheels on the rollers too. to see the power transfer to the front.

[@ScottPC]

Vw 4motion ?

[@mzansipopularrides]

Whether staged or not the fact is that if a system works it should be able to impress even when staged.

[@KINGFAISAL1]

What About Kind of Tires ?

[@colethornton1912]

where is acura sh-awd tell me please respond ASAP

[@OmgItsJustinL]

actually the first smart phone was created by IBM in 1992. It was called the Simon.

[@cerrusiz]

Wieso haben die Autos Frischhaltefolie an der Stoßstange =)

[@Poler777]

I fully accept that the X3 may be the better drivers "SAV" as compared to the Q5. And you are right when you say that the X3 has the superior rear biased AWD system. But DAMN,..I just can't take my eyes off of the Q5. I just don't care if the BMW wins. I'll still probably buy the Q5. X3 = Smart girl who uses intelligence test to prove worth. Q5 = Cute but slightly ditzy girl who looses test, yet you still want to console her afterwards. "It's be OK Ms. Audi, Ms. BMW was just being a meannie."

[@KinariCuzz]

@LukiXS2 No, the quattro system gives ALL the power to the wheels that ARE spinning, meaning the car wont move. If I had to buy one of these cars, id probably go for the Mercedes, and the BMW as a second choice. (less stuff to go wrong in the merc)

[@kornellster]

@Notorius67 No its not, many tests like this have been done and the Audi system always fails. It has more power going to the front and it is only able to clim such a hill in reverse...

[@villusion]

This just shows that the power ratio between front and back tyres are more on the back tyres on the MB and beemer and not as much on the Audi. It takes the audi way to long though to deliver power to the back when slipping. The same test on the back tyres would probably look a lot better for the quattro. None of these stack up against the subarus symmetric awd though :)

[@animalmcburger]

Actually, most higher end cars service their cars for free. You just have to make the salesman throw in a service package. The car even tells you when to go in and get service. No more of that every 4000 km BS.

[@AetiusPraetorian]

Surprised they are not tearing these cars apart to copy the technology used in them like they do with everything else.

[@awesomewolf92]

uh why did the Q5 have sport package? and this test was unfair as it was a BMW endorsed event because they turned the ESP off on the audi so not a fair test.

[@slangmancybertron7016]

Does the audi really have quattro or is it haldex? Behaved like haldex

[@Ante_Knezevic]

There are certain advantages/disadvantages to the torsen diff. In most it wins, in some not. Add a biased review and there you go.

[@intrepidmilotic5999]

Audi Q5 has Torsen Quattro AWD not haldex, regardless haldex is very good.

[@RaresEnache]

If you don't have any lock differential you CAN'T uphill !! If they take a Mercedes Ml, a Range Rover or a Mitsubishi Outlander (wich have lock center differential) it would be ok !

[@iNf3rNuSdI4bLuS1]

i kinda think the bmw had a dif lock mod, or he was pressing the brakes.. just a thought

[@Flipster1325]

the audi didn't even have the ground clearance to get on the ramp. their all rear based awd / 4wd and with enough gas I'm sure they would make it up the ramp

[@Trades46]

VW brands Haldex as 4motion. Yes, it is the same system you'd find in a Tiguan, Golf and Passat if so equipped. However, the VW SUV Touareg uses a Torsen system like Audi due to sturdier design for off-roading. VW still badges it as 4motion despite the system is closer in design to Audi's Quattro (except the A3 ,TT and R8). Never trust the car brand speak for any sort of technologies :P

[@m18953]

those are summer tires on the audi all season on the mercedes benz and winter tires on the bmw

[@david1235102]

lol i don't rely on manufacturer claims for anything; only owner reviews and experiences. and that's kinda complicated; good thing i'm not looking to buy an A3, TT, R8, or any VW.

[@waults]

A used $1000 F150, K1500 or Ram 1500 would'nt even notice those rollers being there, yet I'm supposed to be impressed that a $50,000 station wagon can get over them - A car I wouldn't attemp to drive off road unless my life depended on it. How about driving the rear wheels up over it too, and how about a set of front left plus rear right rollers. Looks like a 4x4 for those people who believe 50% of the earth is paved. (a real newspaper headline from a few years back)

[@EGGINFOOLS]

Its a matter of holding the brake. The bmw he held the brake on the gas.

[@Langfess]

@levinoss08 not just send all the power to rear wheels it sends it to rear wheels or front wheels or left front/rear or right front/rear or where ever the most power is needed lets say front right tire is free spinning it sends the power to the left front and rear wheels or left back tire is spinning it sends power to right rear and front wheels i had to test personally sister has Q5 2010 I have X5 monster 2010 both great but BMW responds faster and more accurate from what i did with them both

[@Blade1962]

The xDrive is an excellent system. Looking forward to driving the 120d M sport xDrive.

[@Jehco14]

That would have been more intelligent to make that with the rear wheels since all these cars usually work with 40-60 (front-rear)...

[@RaresEnache]

@MegaBlackberryuser _ 4motion (Volkswaggen) = 4matic (Mercedes) --> 60/40 _ Quattro --> 75/25 _ Xdrive --> 100% and independent rear wheels

[@kazeforce]

Korean BMW made a video so what do you all expect

[@Kac-Per]

Yes... Yes... But EVERYONE knows, and this is true, Torsen is the best. Especially at the winter. Have fun

[@E46325mod]

The Audi was not equipped with proper tires for this test and was at a huge disadvantage, the Mercedes was at a slight disadvantage to the BMW because the Mercedes appears to have rain tires and the BMW looks to have snow tires ... Go figure.

[@Bogeythebest]

You all know that BMW and AUDI don't have a better SUV than the G class...

[@CPAEdPaisley]

When that guy coughed I thought the BMW had backed into something..... also the ramp start was not designed for the Audi ground clearance....................

[@videowatcher1000000]

this proves only that if a bmw looses all traction in the front then all the power will go directly too the rear, which hopefully we all know means worse handling in slippery conditions...where audi has still got a proportion of power still going to the front to maintain a certain level of traction.

[@therealalexrider]

Even though I am a Mercedes fan more than I am an Audi fan, I must say that quattro is the best, you can tell that they tried to make Audi seem the worst by fitting the smallest profile tires that you can get on a q5, which are a lot lower profile than the ones on the other two and not testing fairly, shame on BMW.

[@Nbuilder1]

Audi introduced the Quattro in 1980 the rest is history. Audi is a pioneer the rest of the manufacturers just try to get into what works Quattro works up until a few yrs ago BMW nor Mercedes had all wheel drive in they're cars.

[@H.R.T.P]

We all know its Range Rover that will kick their ass in Status, Luxury and Off Road Ability.

[@merxhobenz]

@zonaxmd 4matic is - Rear Wheel Drive 60% - Front Wheel Drive 40% !and its the best

[@jennadollface]

quattro was first on market and the best

[@carsholderify]

+Bohba Chodey they may have been the first but 4motion is no where close so take a chill pill

[@Planetspud]

4motion is volkswagen you dumb shit. 4matic is what started all all wheel drive systems. stupid women thinking they know shit lmao

[@ssmith2832]

Ur Bud Spud liesss

[@petrosrz8990]

janna graham Audi was first but not the best ....... it's losing what made it good .. also the xdrive is a smarted system anyway also did you notice Audi copying BMW?

[@chrisclarke8629]

people like to say.... audi is the longest runner of all wheel drives for these cars. i have one thing to say..... Blackberry was the first smart phone.

[@HighjakSecondary]

While I can't say this test was the most scientific... it has absolutely nothing to do with tires. Traction is 100% except for the wheel on rollers. Period.

[@Nbuilder1]

@iggibars True but they don't have a full line of cars that they all have awd in the U.S.

[@TheGnessel]

incorrect. xDrive is 45:55 until it needs to go to 0:100. It can do this to the front OR rear axle. The other two cannot.

[@iggibars]

@Nbuilder1 What? BMW and Mercedes both had their own AWD system for a LOT longer than "until a few yrs ago!"

[@xray707]

This was not a good test. The grade was too steep. Would need old fashioned locking differential, or something to get significant torque to the rear.

[@austinjames3383]

Actually, Xdrive senses which wheels don't have traction and only sends power to the wheels with traction.

[@irreligious80]

This is why I prefer real differential locks.

[@animalmcburger]

If they thought that, why wouldn't they include a couple in their test? Those 3 brands are basically what every asian wants to drive. BTW if you knew anything about engineering, you'd know how advanced honda and toyotas are. If they were ipads, american cars would be kindles.

[@ddf0dr1v3r2]

Not Just The Tyres sucks, but also that Ramp is Wet Enough for that tyres this video Strongly Proves that NOT ENOUGH GRIP MAKES USELESS ANY INTEGRAL TRACTION SYSTEM ! it is Evident Enough . . . but this video has a strong impact, because of the strong influence of mass-media upon our subconsciences

[@ram00sa00]

@mcmanus1806 you are jermey clarkson arnt u ?

[@wutang80oc39]

AWD is pointless for SUVs, it doesnt have low range for real offroad performace. Plus none of these SUVs have good axle articulation, a good set of snow tires on a 2WD vehicle will perform fine in most snowy conditions.