Recently, the last generation Mitsubishi testing AWC (All-Wheel Control) systems in the region precisely in snowy New Hampshire by the Team O’Neil Rally School. If you don’t already know, rally school proprietor Tim O’Neil is a five-time North American and U.S. Rally Champion and his instructors are top-notch.
The last generation Mitsubishi : Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart, and Mitsubishi Outlander GT. All-Wheel Control, born of the brand’s famous rallying lineage, is one of Mitsubishi’s prized technologies and now includes a separate, more performance tuned Super All-Wheel Control system (S-AWC). Extensive testing and re-calibration in nearly every feasible climate and terrain have lead to the two distinct setups. Though mechanically unique, the differences between each AWC are actually relatively small. Collectively, they’re focused on creating better handling, plus safer and more predictable vehicles for consumers.
Mitsubishi first shows us the new 2010 Outlander GT. It uses S-AWC with an active front differential that controls the speed differences between the front wheels. It also gets electronic four-wheel drive that distributes power and torque to the rear wheels. Instead of using the electro-hydraulic components that the Evo employs, engineers opted for electro-magnetic replacements in an effort to reduce parasitic drivetrain loss and bump up fuel economy. Tarmac, Snow, or Lock modes optimize torque distribution depending on terrain.
