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Wife came back from the dealer for warranty work. She brought back some Chrysler car brochures. The new 300 has an optional AWD system. It's not a full time AWD. However, it does engage when the outside temps drop below 37 degrees, when the wipers are turned on, when the ESC is turned off, or if it detects wheel slip. Would something like this appeal to snow country people or do they prefer to stick with full time AWD vehicles like Subaru?
Also, the 2007 Sebring had an available AWD option. Big magazine complaint was lack of power even in it's big V6 at the time. With today's Chrysler Pentastar engine making close to 280hp, you think they should bring back an AWD option?
Not bad, but I discounted a lot of vehicles when I was shopping for a new SUV - I wanted full time AWD, which is hard to come by. I have a Grand Cherokee, which is something like a 60/40 (could be wrong on the ratios) split normally, and can shift power to any axle on the fly. Between the TC and the traction control, any one wheel can get 100% of engine power (minus losses, of course. I think its closer to 80%). Still, the 300 is better than most cars that "might" transfer power when detecting wheel slip, but can't transfer much.
That AWD system would be ideal for 99% of the conditions in in your area.. But then again do you even get slippery or snowy conditions in Louisiana at all???
That AWD system would be ideal for 99% of the conditions in in your area.. But then again do you even get slippery or snowy conditions in Louisiana at all???
North Louisiana gets some snow and ice. The last time it truly snowed here to the point of snow on the ground was the early 1970s. Our most common hazardous weather condition is rain water on roads.
Wife came back from the dealer for warranty work. She brought back some Chrysler car brochures. The new 300 has an optional AWD system. It's not a full time AWD. However, it does engage when the outside temps drop below 37 degrees, when the wipers are turned on, when the ESC is turned off, or if it detects wheel slip. Would something like this appeal to snow country people or do they prefer to stick with full time AWD vehicles like Subaru?
Also, the 2007 Sebring had an available AWD option. Big magazine complaint was lack of power even in it's big V6 at the time. With today's Chrysler Pentastar engine making close to 280hp, you think they should bring back an AWD option?
Yes, limited AWD works very well, and a lot of modern automobiles use systems such as the one above. Also, limited AWD saves fuel on long drives.
I'll stick with my efficient AWD Subaru as I live in snow country. The Chrysler 300 is just a large car and that AWD would be a bigger drag on fuel economy due to the already heavy curb weight.
I wonder if there is significant gas savings in having AWD disabled. I would think much of the extra gas consumption is just from lugging the extra weight around. I have an AWD car where the drive output to the rear wheels can be disabled. It doesn't do many road trips because I don't want to put a ton of miles on it, but one of these days when I'm on a road trip I'll have to see if there's a measurable difference.
North Louisiana gets some snow and ice. The last time it truly snowed here to the point of snow on the ground was the early 1970s. Our most common hazardous weather condition is rain water on roads.
That being the case you may want to invest in a set of all season tires with exceptional rain handling capabilities rather than an AWD vehicle that will never see snow..
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