quattro and 4-motion clarification for those considering audi vs VW...
 

quattro USED to mean "torsen" a 50/50 front/rear split... in cases of limited tracton could shift a max of 66/33 to the wheels with traction. This system is on the a3,4,6,8 including the s versions. With the introduction of the TT audi has altered the meaning of quattro... it now simply means all 4 wheels get power. The TT used haledex (couldn't get the torsen to fit with the transverse mounted engen) normally front wheel drive buts with minimal wheel slip (something like 1/8th wheel rotation) can shift 90/10 power to the wheels with traction...
there is no clear consensous as to which is superior (I'm sure the a4 croud will argue torsen).

So where dose VW fit in... well 4 motion in the passat is the exact same drive train as the A4 30v (audi's 30v v6 with the torsen differential)... and 4 motion in the golf/ jetta is the haledex system.

So 4 motion and quattro can mean the same thing just depends what car the badge is on.

Sorry for the long post there just seems to be alot of confusion about this lately.

-jjm
98.5 a4 qms
formerly 90 80qms (deceased)

also in the family '01 tt 180q (dad), '96 s6 avant (mom), '88 5000q (brother)

good info - thanks

agreed :-)

a tiny bit of corrections :)
 

Its spelled Haldex btw, its a Swedish system.

The A3 doesn't use a Torsen system btw, it also uses Haldex. Basically anything based off the A4 platform (not the car, the platform) is too small to use the Torsen system. Cars using the A4 platform are the A3, S3, TT, Golf, Jetta, New Beetle, and a vew other VW products.

Our current A4's use the B5 platform.

May sound stupid, but 4-motion Jetta's? WTF?

4 motions Jetta's? Are they in the states yet? Have not hear about this.

you are of course correct (Haldex) late night typo/brain fart...

yes! but not for us in the USA 4 motion jetta (aka bora) and Golfs exist in europe

I have a haldex Volvo and it is no good on hills in the snow
 

It is 95/5 front / rear bias. The fronts need to spin before the rear will get power. When the fronts spin you can not steer as well. Once the rear gets power one rear tire will spin 3 rotations and then the rear dif will lock. The car will then start to move 3 to 5 feet at which point the power goes to the front again and the spinning starts all over again. I actually turn off traction control to allow enough spin to get up the driveway.

Also Volvo is having bevel gear failures when the tires are not the same diameter. Some cars are catching on fire!

I like the 50/50 torsen better.