OR Giulia it is retrograde and is of particular interest to analyze how the four-wheel drive works in the Super version which we will see in a few days in Paris. This is a new version with a two-liter turbo gasoline engine 280PS and a 2.2lt diesel engine 210PS. According to her Alfa Romeo : “…the world premiere of the new Giulia Veloce is combined with the debut of an innovative all-wheel drive system featuring Q4 technology. This technology is designed to control the car’s traction in real time and guarantee amazing levels of performance, efficiency and safety” .
The mechanical layout of the Q4 system fitted to the Giulia Veloce it includes an active transmission system between the two axles and a front differential designed specifically for Alfa Romeo’s technical requirements. The efficient management of high torque with a redundant and light arrangement is required (the total weight increase amounts to 60kg). The powertrain uses state-of-the-art active clutch technology that delivers exceptionally dynamic driving characteristics. At the same time, it also ensures reduced fuel consumption. The built-in Next-Gen actuator ensures quick response and perfectly controlled torque distribution. This varies depending on the choice of mapping to
In particular, the Q4 system continuously evaluates many parameters in order to achieve the optimal distribution of torque between the two axles. This depends on the use of the vehicle and the available road surface traction. This technology can “predict” wheel slip based on information obtained from the transverse and longitudinal acceleration sensors, the angle of the steering wheel and also the car’s “weight transfer” sensors (yaw speed sensors). In normal conditions the Giulia Veloce with the Q4 system behaves as a rear-wheel drive vehicle: 100% of the torque is transferred to the rear axle. When a wheel reaches the limit of slip, the system immediately transfers up to 60% of the available torque to the front axle thanks to the active transfer system. To achieve the maximum reaction speed in the redistribution of the torque, the system detects differences in the rotation speed between the two axes up to 2.5%. This results in – unprecedented for the category – control in traction and change of direction.
The Q4 system in the news Giulia Veloce has all the advantages of permanent four-wheel drive in stability, grip and safety. At the same time, it ensures reduced fuel consumption, better response and leaves the driver with the pleasure of driving a rear-wheel drive car unadulterated.”
We saw a system with a similar philosophy for the first time in Porsche 911 where also the transmission of power takes place exclusively on the rear axle until the moment there is a slip.