Technical Paper
Prospects for Future 4WD and AWD Developments for Pick Ups, SUVs and Passenger Cars in Brazil
2010-10-06
2010-36-0479
The purpose of this paper is to present the origins and the technology of the different types of AWD (All Wheel Drive) and 4WD (Four Wheel Drive) systems currently available and the wide potential to incorporate such technologies to the vehicles made in Brazil. In the Brazilian market the 4WD and AWD vehicle options are available only on expensive pickups and imported SUVs, which include only a small part of the total market. Conversely, there are a large number of 4WD & AWD technologies available in developed markets that are not currently available in the South American markets. Most South American consumers regard vehicles with 4WD/AWD systems as off-road vehicles to be driven in the countryside, in an off-road environment. These markets still don`t have a clear understanding of the differences between 4WD and AWD, and the benefits of each. This paper will describe the concepts, the architecture and the operations of such systems and point out the correct application of each ones.
