Full-Time AWD?

[Alexi]

This might be a stupid notion, and if it is then please flame away (enguard) !

The AWD on the MS6 is controlled by the ECU correct? When it detects slip it directs power to the rear wheels as it sees fit. For all the people that I see out there complaining about the MS6 AWD vs. that of the STi and Evo, couldn't there be a way to trick the ECU to detect slip all the time so that lthe car is always in a 50:50 state?


Like I said...it might be a stupid comment, but I was just wondering!

Thanks!

 

[jcgemt2003]

This might be a stupid notion, and if it is then please flame away (enguard) !

The AWD on the MS6 is controlled by the ECU correct? When it detects slip it directs power to the rear wheels as it sees fit. For all the people that I see out there complaining about the MS6 AWD vs. that of the STi and Evo, couldn't there be a way to trick the ECU to detect slip all the time so that lthe car is always in a 50:50 state?


Like I said...it might be a stupid comment, but I was just wondering!

Thanks!

Thats a really good question....Id like to know myself.

 

[Speed6 Guy]

The AWD system is controlled by the ECU. It always has power to the back wheels and will send MORE power if needed. But it can only go to 50-50 I think.

 

[zoom-zoomhatch]

Same setup the R32 used I think, ran at like 80-20 unless under load and then the ecu adjusts it up to 60-40 I belive. I could be wrong though.

 

[Alexi]

Yeah since the ECU controls it couldn't a flash for the ECU be devoloped so that the car is always in 50:50 mode? To me it makes perfect since but I also can't write reflashes for ECUs LOL (ughdance)

 

[FrolessWonder]

Same setup the R32 used I think, ran at like 80-20 unless under load and then the ecu adjusts it up to 60-40 I belive. I could be wrong though.

This may not be true, but i heard under WOT it delivers all of its power so its around 0-100 or 10-90 or something similar. Is this false?
edit: im talking about teh r32 here.

 

[buit9110]

the most this car can go is 50-50. but I would love to have the ecu tuned so it is 50-50 all the time

 

[Mikey444]

This car is 100/0 and 50/50 when slippage.

 

[zoom-zoomhatch]

This may not be true, but i heard under WOT it delivers all of its power so its around 0-100 or 10-90 or something similar. Is this false?
edit: im talking about teh r32 here.

It could be, I was told that by an owner of one and never cared enough to look into it anymore to prove him right or wrong.

 

[mikeyb]

Maybe Haldex will develop a new AWD system ECU for the Mazdaspeed6. They market kits for all VAG AWD, Ford AWD, and Volvo AWD systems. Haldex is also the OE supplier for these manufacturers.

What AWD system does the Oval triplets(Fusion, Milan, MKS) use?

 

[pycmsp]

Same setup the R32 used I think, ran at like 80-20 unless under load and then the ecu adjusts it up to 60-40 I belive. I could be wrong though.

the r32 has awd until 50 mph it sucks

 

[MS6S2K]

I had read that the Speed 6 delivers nearly 100% to the front wheels during a steady highway speed, and adjusts accordingly to how much it is needed. It doesn't distribute the power to the wheels like a Subaru, because it's not a true AWD, so from a performance standpoint it's not as good, but since it detects when the rear is needed, and will supply up to 50% if conditions force it to, I believe it would be just as good for daily driving, and bad weather. Subaru uses a more advanced symetrical system, so it's naturally more expensive, and most certainly more performance capable. No car in this price range can compare to a company that has based pure emphasis on being AWD, which also means better launching capability. It's probably why the Legacy GT can pull off better 1/4 mile times, but if I had to guess, I'd say this less advanced system yields better highway MPG. Either way it's still AWD, and still significantly better then front wheel drive in both performance and bad weather.

I admit though, I do wish this Speed 6 had the AWD that the STI has, because Subaru has the ability to put the emphasis on the rear wheels, and the STI actually delivers more power to the rear, making the handling amazing, but you can adjust it to lock at 50-50 full time if you wanted to. I locked the system one time to 65% on rear, and was able to do donuts in the snow. It was too much fun.

 

[the gamper]

I think the AWD setup in the speed6 is more than adequate to handle any situation. I have never lacked for traction even during hard acceleration on wet roads. I think it would be nice if this car had wider tires, I think that would help performance more than a different AWD setup. Remember, the Speed6 bested the LGT in the slalom comparos even though it is heavier. Wider tires would definitely help make it look a little meaner as well.

What is the word on how wide you can go on these rims without running into the wheel wells.

 

[MS6S2K]

I think the AWD setup in the speed6 is more than adequate to handle any situation. I have never lacked for traction even during hard acceleration on wet roads. I think it would be nice if this car had wider tires, I think that would help performance more than a different AWD setup. Remember, the Speed6 bested the LGT in the slalom comparos even though it is heavier. Wider tires would definitely help make it look a little meaner as well.

What is the word on how wide you can go on these rims without running into the wheel wells.

Lets play fair now, and compare top of line model to top of line model. Subaru's top of line Legacy (Spec B) blasted the Speed 6 in every category of performance. The Regular LGT isn't created like the Speed 6, as it's more of a regular car then an enthusiast car, and it's available in automatic. Price wise the LGT is actually the same as the Speed 6 Sport model, but you can't get one for the same price because the LGT isn't failing in the market, and the deals and incentives aren't insane like on the Speed 6, as they don't have trouble selling this car at all. and don't have to insanely discount them to sell them.

The regular LGT also comes with leather, moonroof, power/heated seats, mp3 6 disc sound system, SI drive, TPMS, ect ect, along with the features the Speed 6 Sport comes with. The Spec B is expensive, but it's superior in every aspect of performance. If I could have afforded it, and the Speed 6 wasn't failing in market and wasn't so cheap, I'd have gotten one. I'm happy with the Speed 6 if for no other reason then the superb price I could not get on a Subaru.

 

[the gamper]

Lets play fair now, and compare top of line model to top of line model. Subaru's top of line Legacy (Spec B) blasted the Speed 6 in every category of performance. The Regular LGT isn't created like the Speed 6, as it's more of a regular car then an enthusiast car, and it's available in automatic. Price wise the LGT is actually the same as the Speed 6 Sport model, but you can't get one for the same price because the LGT isn't failing in the market, and the deals and incentives aren't insane like on the Speed 6, as they don't have trouble selling this car at all. and don't have to insanely discount them to sell them.

The regular LGT also comes with leather, moonroof, power/heated seats, mp3 6 disc sound system, SI drive, TPMS, ect ect, along with the features the Speed 6 Sport comes with. The Spec B is expensive, but it's superior in every aspect of performance. If I could have afforded it, and the Speed 6 wasn't failing in market and wasn't so cheap, I'd have gotten one. I'm happy with the Speed 6 if for no other reason then the superb price I could not get on a Subaru.

Wrong, the Mazdaspeed6 bests the Legacy Spec.B in every category accept acceleration. Check out this MotorTrend Comparo. I dont quite understand the results, the LGT SpecB won, but they still call the Mazda the best car in this comparo.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0602_midsize_awd_sedan_comparison

 

[Elicious]

The MS6 is all time AWD. The only time power is not delivered to the rear wheels is when the car is crawling, like through a parking lot.

 

[MS6S2K]

Wrong, the Mazdaspeed6 bests the Legacy Spec.B in every category accept acceleration. Check out this MotorTrend Comparo. I dont quite understand the results, the LGT SpecB won, but they still call the Mazda the best car in this comparo.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0602_midsize_awd_sedan_comparison

I stand corrected, although the acceleration is most certainly a wider gap, and less subjective. The handling is so damn close it really can go either way IMO. The Spec B has a lot of advantages, especially with the superior AWD system. I think what gives it the edge is the fact that it's more successful, and most certainly feels like the more reliable, better built car. Whether the Speed 6 will turn out to be as durable/reliable is unknown. Subaru probably is gonna be better long term though.

They also have a potential performance advantage over Mazda, and Subaru Technica International is much more superior to Mazdaspeed, so they could make a Legacy STI, and take out Mazda pretty easily if it became a threat, but there's no reason for them to care since the Speed 6 has not been able to offer much competition in the buying market.

 

[buit9110]

they already made a legacy sti overseas

http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/features/0406scc_subaru_legacy_sti/

 

[AznXstazy]

i like the new legacy over the gay new wrx looking car anyday.

 

[MS6S2K]

they already made a legacy sti overseas

http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/features/0406scc_subaru_legacy_sti/

Yep, and if they bring that here, it's lights out Mazda on a performance level in the midsize AWD sedan class. Mazda just cannot compete with Subaru on a performance level right now. The fact that we have to compare top of line Speed 3 to a mid level WRX tells you they are far advanced. I hope they make good with this great engine they have, and work out the kinks. Mazda makes nicer looking cars IMO, and if they can match Subaru performance wise and reliability wise, it's gonna be something special. However, Subaru is so far ahead and advancing as we speak, Mazda will likely always be behind, and never be able to compete. However, it's a good thing because it will offer the consumer a more affordable alternative, that's well worth the money, and Mazda incentives are always superior to that of Subaru. Being less popular and sought after can be a good thing.