Ok, I'm considering a 2010 TL SH AWD tech version and I have 2 questions.

1. With the SH AWD model, if you turn off the traction control, can you make the back end of the car break loose and slide sideways. For example, if you take off from a stop and are turning, if you floor it will the back end slide out. Does the torque vectoring stop this or will it fishtail a bit under that acceleration?

2. Does the sunroof slide back or does it just tilt open? I've seen lots of pics on Autotrader but they never show the sunroof back, just tilted open.

Thanks in advance.

 

Can't help you with #1, as I've never been able to make it lose its footing the way you describe, and I've found precious few occasions/reasons to turn off the VSA.

As for the sunroof, however, it is a sunroof and moonroof. It tilts or slides back (internal), depending on your preference.

 

In the manual, you turn off VSA when stuck in the snow.

 

also for sunroof.. it slides back and tucks under the roof if you want it to open all the way.. if you want to just pop it up.. then it tilts and the back end of the roof pops up.. thats it

 

The back it will not come loose like you say unless tossed hard into a turn and get on it. In autox I made my tail come loose a few times.

 

1. Why would you ever need to do that besides being on a track...wrong vehicle if your looking for a drift car.

 

Yes, you can get the rear end to break loose, but it is not easy. In the snow w the vsa off, it is pretty easy and fun, but on dry pavement, you need to really push it hard to break the ass end out.

 

Wouldn't it be nearly impossible to break the rear tires on the SH-AWD?

As others have said.. there are planty other cars out ther better suited for drifting.

 

The only time I was able to get my rear end to break loose was when I let off the gas going through a turn. I entered a roundabout doing about 50-60 and when I took the first exit I let off the gas slightly. The back end slid out a bit but I was able to correct it before curbing my rear wheel.

I have not been able to do that while still on the gas, but the only time I turn off VSA is if I want to do a quick run in a straight line.

The whole purpose of SH-AWD is to NOT make the rear end lose traction. As others have said, if that's what you desire you need RWD.

 

Thanks for all the feedback. Naw, I'm not looking for a drift car, I was just wondering if the rear end would break loose under quick acceleration (after a stop) on a 90 degree turn or if the torque vectoring would prevent that. I'm curious how the torque vectoring works with the VSA on or off - are they separate systems or do they work in concert - will the engine cut power if it detects rear wheel slip even though the car has torque vectoring to distribute more power where needed?

 

My understanding is that with VSA off the engine will not cut power but the SH-AWD will still shift the power accordingly.

 

This is the classic case of "drop throttle oversteering".

When you let off the gas and the car suddenly slows down, the "weight transfer" effect shifts the vehicle weight from the rear to the front of the car. This results in much reduced traction to the rear tires, and the rear end will start sliding around. The rear end will come around even more easier if you let off the gas while the car is going around a curve or turning a corner.

But when you're on the gas, there is no rear-to-front weight transfer, and the rear tires can maintain their full traction. Thus it is very difficult for the rear end to slide out, unless the rear tires are spinning like crazy as for a RWD vehicle.

 

This^

I remember looking at a new Audi A-4 back in 1996. I had noted that the 2WD version was half a second faster than the AWD version in 0-60 times. I asked the saleperson to give me a price on the 2WD, he refused. Then said, "Why would anyone ever want a 2WD Audi?"

Breakin the ass end loose on any car is asking for trouble.