I copied this from Edmunds.com InsideLine:

MUNICH, Germany — BMW is preparing to upgrade all of its four-wheel-drive models with an advanced new torque-vectoring system aimed at improving on-road agility. Called Dynamic Performance Control, the new system was developed with German engineering specialist ZF. It's based around BMW's four-wheel-drive xDrive arrangement but adds a series of additional electromagnetic clutches in a modified rear-mounted differential housing to further enhance its operation.

Dynamic Performance Controls works in conjunction with sensors in the ABS system that measure steering angle, yaw rates, road speed and torque developed by the engine. They are capable of apportioning drive between the front and rear axles as in today's models, as well as from side to side at the rear for what BMW describes as a more neutral cornering stance.

The idea is to direct drive to where it can be used most effectively, in an operation not dissimilar to that of a traditional locking differential on a rear-wheel-drive car. If the car understeers, for example, xDrive will redirect more drive to the rear wheels and, if required, the Dynamic Performance Control system will then load up the outside rear wheel with greater torque for improved balance.

During oversteer, it reverses the action, sending the majority of drive through the front wheels and, if necessary, increasing torque to the inside rear wheel to stabilize the car during cornering (see diagram).

Unlike similar systems developed by rival carmakers, BMW's Dynamic Performance Control operates both under load and on the overrun, meaning the car continues to be stabilized even when the driver steps off the throttle at midcorner.

BMW is remaining tight-lipped on when Dynamic Performance Control will be introduced. However, signs are it will appear first on the upcoming X6 before heading into other models, including the X3, X5 and four-wheel-drive versions of the 3, 5, and next-generation 7 Series. Also earmarked to accept the new system is BMW's as yet unnamed seven-seat MPV and a secret new junior four-wheel drive that's tipped to slot into the German carmaker's lineup beneath the X3.

What this means to you: A subtle but worthy improvement that adds an X factor of control to BMW's X cars.

 

can't wait for the models to come out so BMW will act like they are the first company to fffer torque vectoring and all the BMW whores can go ogasmic over BMWs amazing innovation.

 

Acura can use the "we were first" line in their ads. Oh, wait, they're not marketing the RL, silly me.

 

The Germans copying the Japanese? Isn't that backwards? Has the Earth wobbled off its axis? Is The End near?

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This is very interesting news from BMW. I would imagine they should get some good performance considering BMW's have good performance dynamics. What probably annoyed BMW was that the RL beat the BMW 530xi in the slalom during comparative tests.

BMW's X-Drive sucks, its a plain-old 4WD system. What will be interesting is the weight of the car when this "second to market" system is available. Some current Info.

BMW 530xi - 3.0 liter engine, curb weight = 3671lbs
Audi A6 Quattro - 3.1 liter engine, curb weight = 4012lbs
Acura RL - 3.5L engine, curb weight = 3984lbs
Infiniti M35x - 3.5L engine, curb weight = 4043lbs
Lexus GS300 AWD - 3.0L engine, curb weight = 3760lbs

Couldn't get data from Mercedes on their E class 4matic, only had E Class Wagon curb weight.

I think if Acura can get a A-VTEC 3.5L or 3.7L engine with more low-end torque, performance should increase and be on-par with the "second to market" 5 Series AWD car.

 

Doesn't Acura have a patent on the technology? The BMW system sounds awfully similar.

 

i shake my fist at BMW

 

It does sound familar to SH-AWD. Also, from the article it looks be designed by a 3rd party. hmmmmm, interesting indeed.

 

The only difference seems to be that their system also works when you are not on the throttle. Our VSA works off-throttle, but the SH-AWD does not. IMO, their system seems like it will be more intrusive, not allowing you to control the vehicle with the throttle like a RWD vehicle.

What is the old addage? Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?

 

Acutally I think the SH-AWD does work while off-throttle. According to Acura's web site, SH-AWD works when the car both when the car is accelerating or decelerating in a turn.

 

Really? Okay, just kidding. I've been without my car for what will be 8 weeks this Wednesday. Apparently, the time away is beginning to show.

 

Sorry for the bad grammar in that post. I should have re-read it before posting.

 

the 'how' is patented, not the 'what' (sh-awd engineering and design, the 'how', is patent-able, but torque vectoring, the 'what', is not).

same as vtec/vvti/vario-cam/etc...the principle/concept is the same, the actual engineering and designs (the patent-able part) are different for each automaker.

 

No biggie. Thanks for correcting my error.

 

did you guys know that Audi will be introducing the new Quatrro with torque vectoring on the rear wheels as well? Talk about imitation to SH-AWD...

 

if acura was smart, when they designed this system they should have thought about all possible variations on how to make it function and patent it so they all would be sol. But the fact that the BMW is using electromagnetic clutch packs makes it sound very familiar.

 

Marketing is everything...When Quattro first came out they put it into racing and won like crazy. Audi then advertised the hell out of it and put it into production. Now whenever someone thinks of AWD in cars they basically think of Audi.

SH-AWD has been around since 2005, but Honda doesnt make much noise. Dont people find it odd that since Torque Vectoring has been announced by BMW and Audi etc that all of a sudden comparo's are being done etc where as before nothing.

SH-AWD is a great product but it did take HMC about 25years after Quattro to develop it, so i would hope it is a little more advanced. Having said that, Audi is releasing Its updated Quattro (torque vectoring) this Fall in the A5 and I believe its already in the R8. Even though its a couple years after SH-AWD its going to be already more advanced and is already rear wheel biased....Why HMC didnt run with it when they had the chance..who nose, but one things for sure Audi will be marketing thiers as strong as ever.

 

Well, no matter what, we Acura owners will always have something that BMW owners will never have...

....functioning turn signals!

 

That is not true - I have heard that the BMW turn signals only function when nobody is watching!

 

I thought all BMWs had functioning turn signals, but BMW drivers are usually pricks that think they are too good to use turn signals.

 

I guess its alright to talk about BMW on this site, but not Hyundia. My thread on the Hyundia was locked. I was just trying to make a point - why doesn't Acura have a V-8?

 

I didn't see your Hyundai post, but I would suspect it was locked because the subject of Acura and V-8's has been beaten to death on this forum (and others). A search will turn up lots of discussion on that.

The mods on this forum allow topics to roam a little, and they welcome discussion of other cars as long as it relates in some way to Acura. If this thread devolved into a string of posts about nothing but BMW, it too would be closed. As it should.

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hopefully the SH-AWD will make it to the next gen TL so it might get more attention.

 

okay so the germans are gonna have something similar to sh-awd. what is honda doing to make sure they stay ahead? what's next on their dish? putting a v8 is playing catch up. what are they doing to lead in a respective area?

 

make the car fly