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So let’s try to find out what Subaru Symmetrical AWD is and by what this system differs from the other all-Wheel Drive systems, produced by other companies. The main goal of every motor car producer is to create cars, able to provide the highest level of security even in the most active driving manner. Subaru engineers are sure, and many will agree with them, that ultimately for the road stability the all-wheel drive is much better than the two-wheel drive.
For those, who finds this axiom to be controversial, I have to mention that the rear-wheel-drive vehicles suffer oversteering, while the front-wheel-drive cars endure understeering and only all-wheel drive car have zero-steering, in short the AWD car moves exactly where you need it and does not require to be corrected for the car driving peculiarities, typical for the mono-drive vehicles.
That is why, starting from 1972 Subaru applies technology of the full-time all wheel drive, constantly perfecting the system.
Here we come to the main point - to the differences between Symmetrical AWD from the other systems. First of all, Subaru has All-Wheel Drive. That is Subaru AWD is not simply an exemption from the necessity to switch on the all-wheel-drive manually, the car always, for all road conditions , equally distributes the rotational moment to all wheels, providing thus the optimal road adherence.
I know there will be objections from the supporters of systems with the selectable drives: as if the necessity to adhere the road is not always essential, on the dry pavement it is possible to switch off one axle to save the fuel… But still we are considering the advantages of the different systems from the point of view of steerability. Let’s have a look at the situation when your car with the selectable rear axle is entering the corner. In common circumstances behaviour of such car is quite typical for all front-wheel drive cars, that is driving the car into the car you need to allow the forward control to pull the car along with – to step on the gas. Now imagine, in turning the front wheels went to slipping… a bit... and the smart electronics immediately switches on the rear axle and the car is now all-wheel drive. What will it do? I suppose the rear wheels are to lose the road adherence and the car will skid … or slide sideways, it is lottery in short words.
Thus, the first and main distinction of Subaru Symmetrical AWD is its absolute predictability. At any speed, on any pavement – whether it be asphalt, ground or ice - you have all-wheel drive car and its behaviour is easily foreseen.
Second and probably most important peculiarity about the Subaru Symmetrical AWD is its arrangement.
All main assemblies: engine, transmission, gearbox, cardan shaft and rear differential are placed in line, making the symmetrical construction in the horizontal plane. At that the engine is placed maximally low – its construction aids by this.
At the same time all heavy components, like transmission, gearbox etc are placed inside of the wheelbase (between wheels). Such an arrangement allows ideal cross and lengthwise balance at the maximal low center of gravity and creates absolutely stable in view of steerability construction, which is especially important for passages of corners or in poor road conditions.
By the way, the originality of Subaru Symmetrical AWD, starting from the Legacy model, was proved, known and recognized in all countries of the world and for already many years is a visit card of Subaru.
