If an electronic design is what YOU want then great . I am not against electronic designs for new cars, But I would rather have a mechanical design. I have no idea how good the Prius awd set up is. But the Tesla set up is good. I am sure others are good too.

My critique of the Toyota 4WD stuff is that 4LO or the Center diff lock is relying on electronic shifters. For whatever reason, Toyota came back with a mechanical shifter for the 4WD 4Runner Pro Edition. Mine unfortunately has an electronic shifter and an electronic centre differential lock. Our LX is one of each. Just dumb.

 

I don't know of any AWD/4WD systems in new models that are not electronically assisted the only question is how much of it you can turn off.

 

There is no electric assist for my 4Runner. 4WD is always on. Never off. Fully mechanical. Just like GX, Land Cruiser Or 4Runner limited. For my 4LO, it uses an electronic shifter to shift into low. Ironically, all stability programs thus turn off. Locking Center for my 4Runner is electric.

 

There is no RWD/2WD position? That's odd. Except for the old ones that had truck-based part-time 4WD that could to be used on dry pavement, most SUVs today have a switch that allows a choice of 2WD / 4WD High / 4WD-Low.......the Low range, of course, being for rock-crawling off road. Those SUVs that are not off-road capable usually just lock the center or rear-differential when the going gets tough.

 

See. This is one of the thing people like about Toyota body of frame suvs. 4Runner, has the option for a permanent system. Land Crusier, GX and LX are always on. No way to get those models without it. It’s been this way for almost 30 years. Our 4Runner, LX are always working in full time 4WD. Toyota started this back in 1990

 

Jill, sorry what year is your 4Runner again? Yours doesn’t have a switch like this?

 

Is this thread still about the Audi A8?

 

Audi A what?

 

Great point LexBob.

Topic is the 2020 S8 peeps

 

Yes correct. So does this new S8 have awd?

 

Why would it not? All S-products from Audi come with standard Quattro AWD.

 

Quattro is AWD yes. You are talking about a 4WD HI/LO, transfer case 4Runner. Keep it about the Audi.

 

In the S65 which is a $200k car. This is priced like a well optioned S560, not even as much as a S63.

I've never had any interest in a V12 anyways.

I'd much rather have this than a Tesla. Tesla doesnt appeal to me at all.

Well, sure. If you're looking for something to drive everyday though this is much subtler.

 

Will be interesting to see if A/S8 sales will pick up due to the V8 option.

Lexus needs to add that 48-volt mild hybrid thingy to their lineup too.

 

Yup
I like the interior though ...