AWD with Intelligent Control

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Old 03-08-2013, 02:14 PM
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AWD with Intelligent Control

How is the AWD with Intelligent Control in the RDX different than the Honda VTM-4 or essentially the AWD in the 1G MDX?

It is lighter because it is missing the torque shifting differential of SH-AWD, right?

This is where my question comes from:

Acura states:

"The 2013 RDX uses an all-new all-wheel-drive system that is lighter, more compact and more efficient than previous all-wheel-drive system. Known as AWD with Intelligent Control, the new system introduces a high degree of four-wheel-drive sophistication on paved and dirt roads as well as in inclement conditions such as rain or snow...

"The major components of the new AWD system consist of a conventional front-wheel-drive system, a compact transfer case that distributes torque to a driveshaft running the length of the vehicle, a rear differential, a new electronically-controlled hydraulic pump, a multi-plate clutch, and left and right rear axles.

"For AWD with Intelligent Control, a multi-plate clutch (similar to the clutches used in an automatic transmission) is used to engage the driveshaft connected to the rear differential. The new AWD system uses an electric motor to drive a single hydraulic pump, which operates the clutch. The electric motor is controlled by the Intelligent Control system, which means that the system can actively apportion power based on specific road conditions.

"For example, when starting on snow the system sends power to the rear wheels right from the start which minimizes the potential for front wheelspin. In cooperation with the new Hill Start Assist feature, AWD with Intelligent Control can also detect when the RDX is climbing a hill- and can send a greater amount of power to the rear wheels....

"During normal acceleration from a stop, AWD with Intelligent Control will send 75-percent of engine power to the front wheels with 25-percent of power sent to the rear wheels. When mild acceleration is needed (such as increasing road speed), 90-percent of power is sent to the front wheels with 10-percent power going to the rear wheels. During steady-state cruising, 100-percent of the engine power is sent to the front wheels."
Old 03-09-2013, 07:13 AM
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Originally Posted by Chas2
How is the AWD with Intelligent Control in the RDX different than the Honda VTM-4 or essentially the AWD in the 1G MDX?

It is lighter because it is missing the torque shifting differential of SH-AWD, right?

This is where my question comes from:

Acura states:

"The 2013 RDX uses an all-new all-wheel-drive system that is lighter, more compact and more efficient than previous all-wheel-drive system. Known as AWD with Intelligent Control, the new system introduces a high degree of four-wheel-drive sophistication on paved and dirt roads as well as in inclement conditions such as rain or snow...

"The major components of the new AWD system consist of a conventional front-wheel-drive system, a compact transfer case that distributes torque to a driveshaft running the length of the vehicle, a rear differential, a new electronically-controlled hydraulic pump, a multi-plate clutch, and left and right rear axles.

"For AWD with Intelligent Control, a multi-plate clutch (similar to the clutches used in an automatic transmission) is used to engage the driveshaft connected to the rear differential. The new AWD system uses an electric motor to drive a single hydraulic pump, which operates the clutch. The electric motor is controlled by the Intelligent Control system, which means that the system can actively apportion power based on specific road conditions.

"For example, when starting on snow the system sends power to the rear wheels right from the start which minimizes the potential for front wheelspin. In cooperation with the new Hill Start Assist feature, AWD with Intelligent Control can also detect when the RDX is climbing a hill- and can send a greater amount of power to the rear wheels....

"During normal acceleration from a stop, AWD with Intelligent Control will send 75-percent of engine power to the front wheels with 25-percent of power sent to the rear wheels. When mild acceleration is needed (such as increasing road speed), 90-percent of power is sent to the front wheels with 10-percent power going to the rear wheels. During steady-state cruising, 100-percent of the engine power is sent to the front wheels."
The non SH AWD system is cheaper for Acura to mfg and is probably more reliable/ cheaper warranty costs for them. It works well enough.

I know you had to change the fluid on the old VTM4 of the 1st generation Pilot every 15k miles or you could damage the clutch packs. Not sure on the new system in the RDX?
Old 03-10-2013, 05:57 PM
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FWIW the Intelligent AWD in the RDX is the same system as in the latest generation CR-V.
Old 03-10-2013, 08:49 PM
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Originally Posted by I_Like_Scotch
FWIW the Intelligent AWD in the RDX is the same system as in the latest generation CR-V.
I see now, thanks, much more deeply integrated version of Real Time 4WD...this is the CRV explanation

http://www.hondanews.com/channels/ho...=real+time+awd

The capabilities of the system are prioritized to further support high fuel efficiency and all-around drivability on-road as well as off-road. Assisting the front wheels when it is beneficial, Real Time AWD instantly powers the rear wheels when starting from a stop, even on dry pavement, working in cooperation with Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and the new Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS). For comparison, the previous-generation Real Time 4WD was designed to allow the front wheels to slip a small degree before torque was transferred to the rear wheels and its primary benefit was at low speeds. Plus, it did not interact with VSA. The new Real Time AWD system can operate at all speeds when needed. When torque transfer to the rear wheels is not required such as when cruising, drive to the rear wheels is decoupled for reduced drag.

The Intelligent Control System function of Real Time AWD cooperates with the VSA and EPS to assist the driver in maintaining vehicle control. For efficiency, the electric motor activating the hydraulic pump is idled when not required, further reducing drag within the system and helping to reduce energy consumption. Compared to the previous model's Real Time 4WD, the new Real Time AWD design weighs 17 percent less (approximately 36 pounds total system weight) and has 60 percent less rotational drag compared to the previous-generation's Real Time 4WD system.

The CR-V's all-wheel drive system's major components consist of the conventional front-wheel-drive system, a compact transfer case that distributes torque to a propeller shaft running the length of the vehicle, the rear differential, a new electronically-controlled hydraulic pump, a multi-plate clutch, and left and right rear-wheel driveshafts.

The previous-generation Real Time 4WD system was mechanically actuated using a pair of hydraulic pumps (one driven by the front wheels and one driven by the rear wheels) along with a ball cam mechanism to operate the clutch that sent power to the rear wheels. If the front wheels began to turn faster than the rear wheels, as would be the case if they were spinning on snow or ice, the difference in pressure between the two pumps would cause the clutch to be engaged, sending power to the rear wheels. The ball cam mechanism was designed to help speed engagement. The system was designed to react to front wheelspin quickly and then send a portion of the vehicle's power to the rear wheels.

The new Real Time AWD still uses a multi-plate clutch, similar to the clutches used in Honda automatic transmissions, to connect the propeller shaft to the rear differential. But in place of the twin hydraulic pumps and ball cam mechanism used previously, the system now uses an electric motor driving a single hydraulic pump, which operates the clutch. The electric motor is controlled by the Intelligent Control System, which means that the system can actively apportion power based on the conditions. The system doesn't merely react to front wheelspin; it minimizes wheelspin before it happens by sending power to the rear wheels accordingly.

When starting on snow for example, the system sends power to the rear wheels right from the start, minimizing the potential for front wheelspin. The system can also detect when the CR-V is climbing a hill and send a greater amount of power to the rear wheels in cooperation with the newly added Hill Start Assist feature. Hill Start Assist maintains brake pressure briefly after the brake pedal is released, giving the driver time to accelerate and smoothly resume motion. The Intelligent Control System instantly assesses the road's slope angle using a G-sensor and the level of grip as detected by VSA in case of wheel spin, allowing added initial apportioning of torque to the rear wheels for smooth starts.

In summary, Real Time AWD offers the optimal balance of confident capability and user friendliness in a lightweight and fuel-efficient design. The driver can simply step on the accelerator and let the system maximize use of available grip and climbing capability.
Old 03-11-2013, 01:01 PM
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Ohh...good to know that Honda cars are trailblazers for Acura cars now....seems like changing of times
2013 Accord features to come on TL, RDX in 2015
Congratulations Acura ---keep the parent company happy!!!
Old 03-11-2013, 09:42 PM
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Not exactly RL like is it? In 2004, the RL introduced almost all the technologies that proliferate throughout the Honda Acura line today, except Blind spot monitoring. And it is ironic that they are bringing back four wheel steering in the RLX, although much more sophisticated than in the original Prelude, which also introduced ATTS, a precursor to SHAWD.
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