Awd systems must be lighter, simpler.(News)

Automotive News Europe,  April, 2007  

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Byline: Jesse Snyder

The auto industry must make all-wheel-drive systems lighter and simpler for the technology to thrive in a more energy-conscious world, says former BMW product development head Burkhard Goschel.

Automakers and suppliers must abandon an incremental, add-on approach to designing all-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicle systems, Goschel said at the European All-Wheel Drive Conference here on April 19. Instead, specialists should take a broader look at what they want to accomplish and then design for simplicity.

Awd is always on, while 4wd is optional. ...

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