The intelligent AWD system constantly monitors available grip by assessing wheel slip up to 50 times every second and making real-time adjustments by varying the torque delivered to both the front and rear wheels.
Unlike conventional mechanical AWD systems that share a linkage, the two electric drive units are fully independent. This means that, for example, if the rear wheels lose grip, the front drive unit can send its full torque to the front wheels to compensate.
Of course, the two drive units can also work in tandem. Drivers towing the maximum capacity 2,300 kg trailer will be pleased to hear the E-Transit Custom AWD with 210 kW output can deliver 630 Nm of total motor torque from a standstill. That’s more than 50 per cent more torque than the RWD version, for effortless fully-loaded hillstarts.
The two electric drive units work hand-in-hand with E-Transit Custom’s advanced traction control and electronic stability control systems to not only split power between the front and rear wheels, but also to apply braking to individual wheels.
This helps optimise grip even when the slipperiness of the road surface varies left-to-right and not just front-to-rear. The system continuously monitors the driver’s steering input and can use “fuzzy logic” to apply torque and braking to help prevent the van from wandering off course whether on a rain-soaked highway or loose surface trail.
The ability to split torque fully between the front and rear wheels also helps E-Transit Custom AWD corner with improved stability, because it’s a very effective way to mitigate oversteer or understeer.
