#35: All Wheel Drive, How it Works, Plus Our AWD Favorites

“quattro” is Audi’s brand name for its all-wheel-drive system. In the conversation, it’s used as shorthand for a well-known, marketing-heavy AWD identity, which helps set up the episode’s focus on how different AWD systems work.

Rear-wheel drive (RWD) sends power from the engine to the rear axle, typically through a transmission and a driveshaft. A rear differential then splits torque to the left and right rear wheels so the car can move forward and turn.

Front-wheel drive (FWD) places the engine and transmission in a compact layout near the front of the car, often with a transversely mounted engine. Power then goes through a transfer/drive setup to two front axles, which drive the front wheels.

Four-wheel drive (4WD) is a drivetrain setup where power can be sent to both the rear and front axles. In many trucks and SUVs, a transfer case routes torque to a front drive shaft when you select 4WD.

The Ford Mustang is a long-running American sports coupe/convertible known for its performance-focused layout and big enthusiast following. In the podcast, it’s mentioned specifically as an example of rear-wheel drive, which helps explain why it feels different from front-wheel-drive cars. That rear-wheel-drive setup is a big part of why the Mustang often comes up in discussions about driving feel.

The Honda Accord is a mainstream midsize sedan known for being practical, comfortable, and widely used. In the podcast, it’s referenced as a front-wheel-drive example, contrasting with rear-wheel-drive setups. That drivetrain difference is part of why people talk about how cars feel and handle.

CR-V is the Honda CR-V, a mainstream compact SUV that’s commonly sold with AWD. Mentioning it helps listeners connect the AWD explanation to vehicles many people recognize.

The Toyota RAV4 is a popular compact SUV that’s frequently offered with AWD. It’s referenced here as an example of the kind of AWD system found in average commuter vehicles.

The Volvo V70 is a wagon model known for comfort, practicality, and available all-wheel drive. The podcast groups it with other all-wheel-drive-friendly vehicles, indicating it’s part of that same “can handle more conditions” category. It’s discussed because wagons like the V70 can be both family-friendly and capable.

A mid-engine layout places the engine near the center of the car, typically between the front and rear axles. That positioning helps balance weight and can improve handling response, which is why many “enthusiast” cars are mid-engined.

The Fiat X1/9 is a small Italian mid-engine sports car known for its quirky, enthusiast-friendly character. In conversations like this, it often comes up when people talk about “mid-engine” layouts and the way those cars feel compared with front- or rear-engine designs.

A transfer case is the gearbox that splits engine power between the front and rear axles in 4WD/AWD vehicles. It’s a central part of how these systems control torque delivery for traction, including low-range gearing for off-road use.

Volkswagen’s “4Motion” is the brand name for its AWD systems. It generally refers to how VW distributes torque to all four wheels, with different versions depending on model and generation.

Audi is the German automaker most associated with the “quattro” name. In this episode, the hosts connect Audi to rally heritage and to different generations of AWD system design.

Subaru is known for its AWD systems, especially the “symmetrical” layout that’s designed to package the drivetrain efficiently and provide predictable traction. In this segment, the hosts acknowledge Subaru as having a strong AWD system but still prefer Audi quattro for driving feel.

Differentials allow wheels on the same axle to rotate at different speeds while still receiving torque. The hosts specifically describe “two very special differentials” in the early quattro concept, emphasizing mechanical features that were important for rally performance.

Mechanical lockers are devices that lock a differential so both sides rotate together, reducing the ability for one wheel to spin freely. In rally-era quattro history, the hosts credit mechanical locking differentials as a major step forward for traction.

All-wheel drive (AWD) sends power to more than just the front or rear axle, improving grip on low-traction surfaces. The goal is to make traction feel consistent so you don’t have to manually manage wheel slip as much.

Audi quattro refers to Audi’s AWD system, originally introduced in the late 1970s and made famous by rally success. Early quattro setups were mechanically simpler than many modern systems, which can make them easier to understand and service—though they still require specialized knowledge.

DSG is Volkswagen Group’s dual-clutch transmission (a gearbox that uses two clutches to shift quickly). It’s often praised for fast, smooth shifts and can feel very responsive in performance driving.

“Price/performance” is the idea of getting strong capability (speed, handling, features) relative to what you pay. It’s a common way enthusiasts evaluate whether a car is a good deal versus more expensive alternatives.

“Manual only” means the car was initially offered exclusively with a manual transmission. For AWD performance cars, this can matter because manual and automatic versions may have different drivability, shift feel, and sometimes different performance characteristics.

A 4.2-liter V8 is a specific engine displacement and configuration: 4.2 liters total, arranged in a “V” shape with eight cylinders. In the Audi RS4 context, it’s notable because that era’s RS4 is remembered for its strong naturally aspirated V8 character.

“Five speed” refers to a manual transmission with five forward gears. Gear count affects how the engine sits in its powerband during acceleration and cruising, and it’s often part of what enthusiasts mean when they talk about “feel.”

“Barn doors” refers to the Element’s rear doors that open outward like doors on a barn. This design makes loading and unloading easier—especially for pets—because the opening is wide and the doors don’t swing like conventional rear doors.

Tire chains add traction by biting into snow, ice, or mud, improving grip when tires alone can’t handle the surface. They’re commonly required or recommended in winter conditions in many regions.