Development of a 4WD System for SUVs 2002-01-1042

Surveys of sports utility vehicle (SUV) use in the United States, where they are extremely popular, show that they are mostly driven on streets in urban areas. However, most SUVs are based on a truck chassis, and off-road performance is regarded as more important than on-road handling and usability. Therefore, this system was created using an FF (front engine, front drive) passenger car chassis with functions integrated in the rear final drive unit, clutch units installed on the axle shaft for the left and right rear wheels, electronic torque control, torque limit control, and so on. The result combines the rough road performance required for an SUV with the handling of a passenger car. Further, this performance is achieved in a system weighing only 97 kg, making it the lightest in its class.