xrays

From the Acura web site, the TLX 3.5L V6 comes with SH-AWD or P-AWS.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of SH-AWD vs. P-AWS?

fsttyms1

SH-AWD is awd. Paws is only toe adjusted rear wheel steering. SH-AWD is a far better option.

Colin

^^ This.. But keep in mind that SH is not without some compromise. Weight, packaging and fuel economy are all adversely affected not to mention the price.

George Knighton

Certainly, if you live in the snow belt I'd almost always go with SH-AWD.

But if you live south of the Potomac, or Southern California or something, then you might not feel that the price of SH-AWD is necessarily worth the theoretical advantage over P-AWS.

I've lived with a P-AWS car for a while now, and I've also had a car like mine on the track. Don't discount it until you try it.

This video is a P-AWS car with a BMW 535i. It completely negates the theoretical advantage that the BMW is supposed to have. You'll notice that P-AWS helps keep the car level under duress, without the need of heavier springs or thicker sway bars.

Rocket_man

Living far south of the Potomac, and never driving through traffic like that, I'm fine with P-AWS. Can't wait to test drive it.

Nedmundo

Very cool video, thanks. Just curious though, did the BMW have the sport package? Without that, IMLE, they aren't as tight as a typical stock Acura setup, but I haven't driven either of these models so I really don't know. Either way, the RLX's performance is impressive, and bodes well for the lighter TLX with P-AWS.

George Knighton

I don't know for sure. I think I remember seeing somewhere on Jeff's discussion boards that the BMW was equipped with an odd combination that had rear wheel steering included.

I know BMW has had rear wheel steering in some packages for a couple of years, but I also know it's not a very popular option. With the RLX and TLX, it will be standard.

I have to admit that I'm curious if the hard core hot shoes are going for the SH-AWD or cheaper P-AWS cars, once the showrooms start filling up.

I'm looking forward to enthusiasts talking about Acura again. :-)

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Having driven the RLX with P-AWS, I am actually very impressed with how much of a difference it makes in the way the car corners. Even though there is still a good amount of understeer at corner entry, the P-AWS quickly adjusts and sets the car up to corner more neutrally, allowing the driver to dip into the throttle sooner to power out of the corner. I spent a fair amount of time caning an RLX through some windy roads on the CA coast and was impressed with how much more nimble the car is than I would have expected, given its size.

fsttyms1

Unless you are looking for outright handling, then the SH-AWD is better than the fwd paws