Intelligent/Configurable AWD: Isn't this a good idea?

[DonE]

Since the AWD costs more and delivers less range than the RWD extended, i was thinking if Ford can play an update giving an option to turn on AWD when needed and keep it to RWD extended as standard setting. This would give us (who bought AWD Ex) better value for money?

I bought an AWD extented and was extremely confused when ordering whether to go for more fun or range!

What are ur thoughts on it?

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[macchiaz-o]

Since the AWD costs more and delivers less range than the RWD extended, i was thinking if Ford can play an update giving an option to turn on AWD when needed and keep it to RWD extended as standard setting. This would give us (who bought AWD Ex) better value for money?

I bought an AWD extented and was extremely confused when ordering whether to go for more fun or range!

What are ur thoughts on it?

Software alone can't remove AWD from your vehicle. Your car will still have the extra motor, electronics, wiring, and a gearbox on the front axle.

Ford controls when and how each motor/generator is used to balance efficiency and control and power. Software updates can tweak the algorithms to make small efficiency improvements, but they won't change an AWD vehicle into a RWD one.

 

[timbop]

The front motor has permanent magnets also, so it can't really be turned "off" and freely spin

 

[DonE]

There were some manufacturers that offered such things in ICEs... so thought this would be a possibility..hopefully some innovation need here

 

[Carsinmyblood]

A free-wheeling front (or rear) motor would be charging the battery. But before you start typing about perpetual motion machines, It would be a net loss.

For all we know, the software could be setting the front motor to add no net power to moving the car post-acceleration, using only enough power to avoid being a drag.

I have a feeling power is balanced between all four wheels 100% of the time to avoid uneven tire wear and having the driver and passengers feel one of the axles dropping in and out of sync.

 

[breeves002]

It would add a lot of complexity. You'd need an actual transmission that could put the front motor into 'neutral' aka disconnect it otherwise it would be just silly. Adds drivetrain loss too then when it is in use. Though it would be nice to be able to turn it off for fun

 

[JoeDimwit]

Since the AWD costs more and delivers less range than the RWD extended, i was thinking if Ford can play an update giving an option to turn on AWD when needed and keep it to RWD extended as standard setting. This would give us (who bought AWD Ex) better value for money?

I bought an AWD extented and was extremely confused when ordering whether to go for more fun or range!

What are ur thoughts on it?

I feel like they would need to install some sort of clutch between the gearbox and the driveshafts to make this work, and that would increase the maintenance requirements.

 

[iankellogg]

A free-wheeling front (or rear) motor would be charging the battery. But before you start typing about perpetual motion machines, It would be a net loss.

This is not true, an electrically unconnected motor will not produce electrical drag or charge. It will however still have all of the mechanical resistances.


I do think the idea of being able to select the power bias would be really fun. Being able to set a 80/20 control for more controlled handling in the winter or a 20/80 for more understeer is a fun idea.

 

[DonE]

Fun is always good... if Ford managed to do this, it would be a great thing for marketing of the product and OTA! More people would move to AWD variant as well, i beleive.

 

[Carsinmyblood]

This is not true, an electrically unconnected motor will not produce electrical drag or charge. It will however still have all of the mechanical resistances.

If the motor is a permanent magnet type, eddy currents will cause drag whether the current is dumped or not.

I'm sure someone with an EE degree will stop in soon...

 

[ChasingCoral]

The front motor has permanent magnets also, so it can't really be turned "off" and freely spin

THIS!

 

[EVready]

Actually, while researching (haven't decided yet) I found that the to-be-introduced Audi Q4 will 'normally' be in RWD and the front drive will come on 'if needed.' At least that is what I have read.

We'll see what actually is introduced.

 

[iankellogg]

If the motor is a permanent magnet type, eddy currents will cause drag whether the current is dumped or not.

I'm sure someone with an EE degree will stop in soon...

I'm an EE and I do work on BLDC's

THere are of course TINY amounts of losses from that but not KW worth.

If there are any significant eddy losses then the motor is a bad design. Also if the motor 'cogs' when it isn't powered that's also a fairly bad design. It should be capable of spinning fairly freely with little losses. I haven't actually tried this myself yet but I bet if you put the mach e in neutral and coast it will coast quite well.

 

[OlyPen]

I'm an EE and I do work on BLDC's

THere are of course TINY amounts of losses from that but not KW worth.

If there are any significant eddy losses then the motor is a bad design. Also if the motor 'cogs' when it isn't powered that's also a fairly bad design. It should be capable of spinning fairly freely with little losses. I haven't actually tried this myself yet but I bet if you put the mach e in neutral and coast it will coast quite well.

The drive modes alter the coasting significantly, so I'm going to suggest the motors can spin quite freely with little issue. You can do a quick test: put it in one pedal mode, speed up on the highway to like 70 and let off the accelerator. In whisper mode you'll stay coasting for a significant period of time without slowing down, but in unbridled, you'll find the regen kick in and slow down quickly as you take your foot off the accelerator.

So my guess is the OP is correct that this is software driven and already built in with the drive modes to some degree, although not as customizable or noticeable as suggested here.

 

[ARK]

If this was OPTIONAL I wouldn’t mind (because I wouldn’t be stuck with it), but I don’t believe AWD systems that can unlock and act as RWD or FWD are really implemented on sportier vehicles.

I think it changes the driving dynamic and you can feel the system coming on or going off when pushing the vehicle, and that type of on/off sensation to the AWD is generally not considered a good thing with sportier driving.

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