2016 Lexus LX
#136
Because traditionally part-time 4wd (like on a Jeep Wrangler) locks the axles together and forces power to be distributed equally, which is why you're not supposed to use it on dry roads. That's not the case with the Auto 4WD on the Escalade. It can vary power distribution as needed.
#137
Lexus Fanatic
Part time has to lock the differential.
#138
Lead Lap
Yup.
#139
Lexus Fanatic
Ideally, the LX torsen fill time 4WD is probably the best 4WD system on the market today, but it has no lockers. The G wagons full time set up with F/C/R lockers is far more capable.
#141
But the point stands -- Escalade uses an inferior 4WD arrangement and it gives it couple MPG advantage in return.
#142
Lexus Fanatic
2016 Lexus LX
But inferior to what end? An Escalade needs 4WD for snow, launching a boat maybe, that's all. It's more than adequate for what consumers are going to use it for.
That's the issue with the LX, they're asking people to accept limitations because of its superior 4WD system...a superiority that they neither need, want or even understand.
Extremely few of these vehicles will ever see anything off-road beyond a dirt or gravel road back to a cabin or a ski lodge. Something quite frankly I could probably get to in my AWD LS. So having features that make it better running up sand dunes or dealing with punishment overseas at the expense of power, agility, efficiency is a loosing proposition IMHO. This vehicle isn't going to win anybody over out of a Range Rover or an Escalade, it will continue to be a very slow selling niche model in the U.S.
That's the issue with the LX, they're asking people to accept limitations because of its superior 4WD system...a superiority that they neither need, want or even understand.
Extremely few of these vehicles will ever see anything off-road beyond a dirt or gravel road back to a cabin or a ski lodge. Something quite frankly I could probably get to in my AWD LS. So having features that make it better running up sand dunes or dealing with punishment overseas at the expense of power, agility, efficiency is a loosing proposition IMHO. This vehicle isn't going to win anybody over out of a Range Rover or an Escalade, it will continue to be a very slow selling niche model in the U.S.
Last edited by SW17LS; 08-26-15 at 07:25 AM.
#143
Lexus Fanatic
#144
Lexus Fanatic
But inferior to what end? An Escalade needs 4WD for snow, launching a boat maybe, that's all. It's more than adequate for what consumers are going to use it for.
That's the issue with the LX, they're asking people to accept limitations because of its superior 4WD system...a superiority that they neither need, want or even understand.
Extremely few of these vehicles will ever see anything off-road beyond a dirt or gravel road back to a cabin or a ski lodge. Something quite frankly I could probably get to in my AWD LS. So having features that make it better running up sand dunes or dealing with punishment overseas at the expense of power, agility, efficiency is a loosing proposition IMHO. This vehicle isn't going to win anybody over out of a Range Rover or an Escalade, it will continue to be a very slow selling niche model in the U.S.
That's the issue with the LX, they're asking people to accept limitations because of its superior 4WD system...a superiority that they neither need, want or even understand.
Extremely few of these vehicles will ever see anything off-road beyond a dirt or gravel road back to a cabin or a ski lodge. Something quite frankly I could probably get to in my AWD LS. So having features that make it better running up sand dunes or dealing with punishment overseas at the expense of power, agility, efficiency is a loosing proposition IMHO. This vehicle isn't going to win anybody over out of a Range Rover or an Escalade, it will continue to be a very slow selling niche model in the U.S.
As for the folks really using the LX off road, most of it is marketing. The on road characteristics are more important these days.
#145
Lexus Fanatic
That's a good point, and one reason why Subaru stays with a full-time, split-torque system front to rear instead of the transfer-only-upon-slippage. I agree with ydooby that it's better to prevent slippage in the first place than to let it start and then try and counteract it by shifting torque to the wheels still with traction (if they still have traction). Using a full-time system also helps keep hardware lubed and in good internal condition by not having some differentials shut down for long stretches on dry roads (when the AWD is not in use) without much oil circulating inside of them.
#146
Lead Lap
We're long past that being an issue. Not only do most of these systems react with an eighth of a turn of a slipping wheel (or better), but they're designed to last even though they'll be inactive for long periods of time. Many systems nowadays don't stay inactive very long at all anyways- in snow mode they may start at a 50/50 torque split or preload the front/rear axle (depending on the primary driven axle) to prevent wheelspin during aggressive starts.
#147
Yes of course, it makes sense.
I have a feeling that you dont know that LC 200 has torsen as well as lockable front and rear lockers (optional).
#148
Lexus Fanatic
We're long past that being an issue. Not only do most of these systems react with an eighth of a turn of a slipping wheel (or better), but they're designed to last even though they'll be inactive for long periods of time. Many systems nowadays don't stay inactive very long at all anyways- in snow mode they may start at a 50/50 torque split or preload the front/rear axle (depending on the primary driven axle) to prevent wheelspin during aggressive starts.
Subaru Symmetrical AWD is part truth and a lot of fluff marketing.
#149
Lexus Fanatic
And what difference does it make that the LC has a torsen diff, I didn't mention it because this is the LX thread.
#150
As usual, every post is full of contradictions and clashes with previous posts.
When it comes to LX, updated crawl control feature will get you out of worse spots than if you had all diffs locked... not for offroading for sports, but way more useful in real life.