Snow Test: BMW xDrive vs Audi Quattro vs Jaguar AWD

[Jason]

Via Tyre Reviews:

Is Audi Quattro really better than BMW Xdrive? After doing a lot of research I couldn't find a good reason why the Audi was better, so with the help of Nokian Tyres, we've compared and tested the differences between BMW 3 Series XDrive, Audi A4 Quattro and Jaguar XE AWD, on snow and ice.

We've tested snow acceleration / traction, snow handling to see which is faster and more fun, ice traction and snow hill climb.

[zipstic]

This is one of the reasons I moved from an Audi to a BMW.

Having a capable car on snow and ice is important to me since I live in Minnesota. Now there really isn't much of a difference in performance in these types of conditions.

I still much prefer the purely mechanical system in the Audi (Torsen specifically) over BMW's transfer case system, but I'll make that compromise for dry pavement performance in the BMW.

[anglo]

What engines the 3 series, Audi have?

The Presenter kept saying the Audi has more torque...

[zipstic]

Originally Posted by anglo

What engines the 3 series, Audi have?

The Presenter kept saying the Audi has more torque...

The 1:20 mark has some info on the motor specs.

Audi: 118.7 bhp/ton
BMW: 120.3 bhp/ton
Jag: 109.9 bhp/ton

Edit: I assume it's these:

Audi: 2.0 TDI
BMW 320i
Jag: 2.0 L twin turbocharged diesel

[Transfer]

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't the A4 now use a FWD based non-Torsen "Quattro"? I think only the S and RS models have an actual mechanical diff and the others get this Quattro Ultra system.

[zipstic]

Originally Posted by Transfer

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't the A4 now use a FWD based non-Torsen "Quattro"? I think only the S and RS models have an actual mechanical diff and the others get this Quattro Ultra system.

I believe the Quattro Ultra was only for manual transmissions in the B9 A4. I'm not sure if that still applies to the upcoming B9.5

[bucketfoot]

Originally Posted by anglo

What engines the 3 series, Audi have?

The Presenter kept saying the Audi has more torque...

If I saw correctly the BMW was a 320, so a de-powered 3-series. The 330 probably would have been the more appropriate car.

[XxThe_RemedyXx]

It's ALL about tires gents.

[MetalMK]

Originally Posted by Transfer

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't the A4 now use a FWD based non-Torsen "Quattro"? I think only the S and RS models have an actual mechanical diff and the others get this Quattro Ultra system.

No, the A4 has a longitudinally mounted engine that sends power to the transfer case in the middle of the car that splits power between front wheels and rear wheels. However, I recall seeing the new A4 ditching Torsen for its non-S/RS model and replacing with a multi-clutch. In any case, a longitudinally mounted engine means not FWD biased like a focus or CLA or A3/S3/RS3.

[Teutonic]

Audi has a FWD biased Haldex system, no Quattro on this model.
xDrive is a RWD biased, that's why is pushing first on the hill.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by zipstic

The 1:20 mark has some info on the motor specs.

Audi: 118.7 bhp/ton
BMW: 120.3 bhp/ton
Jag: 109.9 bhp/ton

Edit: I assume it's these:

Audi: 2.0 TDI
BMW 320i
Jag: 2.0 L twin turbocharged diesel

Not one of these cars is being sold in the USA.

[5.M0NSTER]

I did a day of driver's training at my company's track facility in Sweden last March. In a 430i Xdrive. Very similar setup to what was shown in the video, and also on proper winter tires. I have to hand it to the X-drive here. Rear wheel bias was obvious and the car was fun and easy to drift and steer with throttle.

I don't think I've driven a Quattro Audi, just a very recent A3. But I've driven plenty of FWD based AWDs and a true 4x4 with 50/50 torque split front to rear in winter conditions. And it's hard for me to choose which system I liked better. True 4x4 goes better in a straight line, but xDrive is so much fun and easier to hold huge side-slip angles.

[Game]

Both great systems. Tires win.

[Germanauto]

Basically everybody makes a good AWD system.

[SCOTT26]

Why use the F30?



Garbage Tier...

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Why use the F30?



Garbage Tier...

Good to know someone at BMW also thought the F30 was garbage.

[Game]

Originally Posted by Mo@BMWofFairfax

Good to know someone at BMW also thought the F30 was garbage.

I'm with you guys. The worst.

[firedown31]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

Not one of these cars is being sold in the USA.

The reviewer isn't from/doing the test in the USA...

[watermelon3878]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

Not one of these cars is being sold in the USA.

The F30 320i was available in America, but that doesn't matter because
a. it's an outdated model anyways
b. the test is not aimed at an American audience

[Gamb1t]

I wonder how do they compare to the AWD model3 under the same conditions?

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by XxThe_RemedyXx

It's ALL about tires gents.

This. AWD systems help, but honestly do very little here.

[RocketTR]

Originally Posted by Tracus

Audi has a FWD biased Haldex system, no Quattro on this model.
xDrive is a RWD biased, that's why is pushing first on the hill.

Despite the fact that Audi has several different AWD systems (Torsen, Crown Gear, Haldex), they still call them all quattro. But the "Ultra" label seems the most like a traditional Haldex to me. It's basically a FWD reactive system that relies on sensors to put power to the rear end, which is pretty much the opposite of the Torsen system that was mechanical and always split power between the front and the rear. And in my car and several other Audi cars, the quattro system was RWD biased.