From the moment one I was wondering how the Touareg may be compared to the Vanagon Syncro.
It took some years to understand what is going on.
On the occasion of one publication, I thought that now is the time to make a first attempt.
Here is the publication: YouTube
And here is my attempt, (moderator approval is pending, for ever I afraid):
"Thank
you for your answer.
You see, manufacturers do not like to be under control, (Obsessive Branding Disorder?).
It will was very easy for the V.A.G. to use a clear set for their 4wd systems and not to cover them under generalizations such as "4 motion" which may include any system, Haldex or Quattro.
The term "Syncro", is used more consistently, having, (to the best of my knowledge), only two exceptions, where the Quattro, is used and it is called Syncro, (the pseudoSyncro Passat b2, (or Quantum for theU.S.A.
But, in our hearts, all we know that the first 4wd Audi, of the '80s, is a Quattro, and this Torsen system is the “real” Quattro and the "real" Syncro system is that of the Vanagon Syncro, (Transporter/Caravelle for Europe), (or the Golf II for the front engine vehicles).
Now let's go to the Touareg.
You are right. The first generation Touareg is not Quattro neither Syncro.
You see, manufacturers do not like to be under control, (Obsessive Branding Disorder?).
It will was very easy for the V.A.G. to use a clear set for their 4wd systems and not to cover them under generalizations such as "4 motion" which may include any system, Haldex or Quattro.
The term "Syncro", is used more consistently, having, (to the best of my knowledge), only two exceptions, where the Quattro, is used and it is called Syncro, (the pseudoSyncro Passat b2, (or Quantum for the
But, in our hearts, all we know that the first 4wd Audi, of the '80s, is a Quattro, and this Torsen system is the “real” Quattro and the "real" Syncro system is that of the Vanagon Syncro, (Transporter/Caravelle for Europe), (or the Golf II for the front engine vehicles).
Now let's go to the Touareg.
You are right. The first generation Touareg is not Quattro neither Syncro.
The
second generation, though, is Quattro.
Talking
about the first generation, about which the video is, it is a very good system,
indeed.
Now,
if you like, let’s try a comparison between this VWs unique system vs the
Syncro.
Copy
paste from here:
http://blogs.youwheel.com/2015/02/14/volkswagen-touareg-4motion-awd-system-comprehensive-review/
After
each paragraph, (between parentheses), you can see what the Syncro system does,
(the Vanagon Syncro).
"The
1st generation Touareg (internal code: 7L) is produced between 2002 and 2010.
The below #1 and #2 descriptions are for the 1st-gen Touareg:
#1.
1st-gen Touareg 4Motion: it uses a planetary gear-set center differential, plus
an electronically controlled, multi-plate clutch as the limited slip mechanism.
It also has a low range gear. The center differential is manually lockable and
this comes as a standard feature; in addition, you can also opt for the
optional rear differential lock;
(Syncro:
Auto, mechanically, limited slip central differential, (VCT), very low
“gelande” gear, rear differential locker, front differential locker, not
available for any Touareg edition, (both the latest optional).
#2.
The DEFAULT front:rear power split ratio of the planetary gear-set center
differential is 38:62, determined by the physical gear ratio. However, VW
implemented an “always on” command into the multi-plate clutch control ECU
program, which forces the limited slip to be always kicked in, which is sending
an extra of 12% of torque to the front wheels by default. This effectively
makes the final system power split ratio to be 50:50 under normal driving
conditions.
(Syncro:
The Default front:rear torque split 5:100 and can be diverted up to 99:100,
determined by the road condition. The front differential has a soft engaging
physical characteristic. (A common mistake here: to see the torque transferred
on the tarmac as the torque capability of the system. By that I mean that when
the torque is available on the axle may be or may be not accepted by the tarmac
according to the conditions. So the “5”
or the ‘’99” are not added to the “100” ,
and it shows the availability of the torque, only). It never brakes as the
Touaregs front here:
The
reason why Volkswagen did this was mainly due to the fact that Touareg is
sharing its platform and some of the powertrain components with the Porsche
Cayenne. Porsche wanted the front/rear power split to be 38:62 on Cayenne,
while VW wanted it to be 50:50 on Touareg, and they do not want to design and
produce two physically different center differentials (in order to lower the
cost). Therefore, Volkswagen came out with this workaround, which uses a
mechanical 38:62 center differential, and then tunes it to 50:50 within the
software layer.
Because
of this “always on” setting on the 1st-gen Touareg limited-slip clutch, the
electric motor that operates the clutch pack is under heavy workload
constantly, which leads to premature wear. It has been reported by some users
that their 1st-gen Touareg need to replace the electric motor every 2-3 years."
(Syncro: no electrics/electronics
engaged, no parts to malfunction under
difficult on/off road conditions).
end of the article excerpt
But
there are more.
The
Syncro has primary and secondary axles. By that notion is described the
continuous, direct drive, through gears, of the main axle, (front or rear), and
the soft, trouble free, engagement of the secondary. This gives a tremendous advantage, vs many
other systems, where the power is distributed through any kind of differential,
in terms of torque availability, which is 100%, permanently, to the main axle,
and durability. The Touareg I & II needs the help of electronics otherwise
the power is escaping to the axle with the less traction.
And
the spontaneous, basic, function of a system, without the helping accessories,
has its importance as we already saw.
Now
can you imagine, a 2300 kgr car, (with rear and central locker) vs a 1800 kgr
car (with rear, central and front locker)?
The
Bild tested both of them and found the Vanagon Syncro much more capable off the
road, (still I am trying to find this test)."
