Stylish looks, comfort-forward features, and innovative techs are some of the reasons that make Audi so popular in the market. In fact, it is the third most popular luxury car brand in the world. However, if you live in an area where winter gets pretty harsh, it would be quite natural for you to worry about its winter performance.
So, are Audis good in snow?
The truth is, there is a wide variation in terms of winter performance between the Audi models. However, Audi vehicles generally rank in the top 10 cars when it comes to winter performance.
However, what makes the Audis get into that ranking? And should you pick an Audi if winter performance is your main priority? You can get answers to all of these questions by continuing to read!
What Makes a Vehicle Offer Good Winter Performance?
A good winter performance generally boils down to the combination of good winter tires and better overall traction. And these two factors are not dependent on the automobile manufacturer.
The weight and clearance also play an essential role in providing good winter performance. Let’s give you a rundown on each to give you a better idea.
Tires
You probably already know that the tires are the only thing that keeps your vehicle in contact with the asphalt. So, it makes sense that they are one of the most crucial factors when it comes to getting a safe winter driving experience.
All-season tires are great for areas that do not see ice and snow. However, they are not ideal for areas where the temperature goes under 45 degrees. Why so? Well, the rubber will harden in such conditions, eventually lowering the tires’ performance.
On the other hand, winter tires provide a better overall grip on the road in snowy conditions. And the studded tires are the only option to get a better overall driving experience in areas where icy roads are a common scenario.
Drivetrain
Tires make a massive difference in how the vehicle performs on winter roads. However, the way that the tires are used is more important. FWD (Front-Wheel Drive) vehicles pull the entire car rather than pushing it. That makes it easier to control and predict where the car is sliding.
When it comes to cornering or braking on icy streets, things get a bit trickier for FWD vehicles. In comparison, rear-wheel-drive vehicles provide a little more control than FWD. And that an increased amount of control is essential for experienced drivers. What about inexperienced drivers?
Well, they will find it challenging to navigate on winter roads with a rear-wheel-drive vehicle as it pushes the vehicle instead of pulling it. As a result, it becomes pretty hard to correct the vehicle if it starts to slide.
All-wheel-drive and 4WD (Four-Wheel Drive) vehicles are great for winter conditions. They utilize all four tires instead of relying on just two. However, 4WD is only ideal for slick road conditions. And drives generally find it hard to switch in and out from the 4WD mode.
Weight and Clearance
Ground clearance becomes a crucial consideration when there is a lot of snow, especially if there is a blizzard. In such scenarios, when a vehicle sits extremely close to the ground, it will have a tough time trying to plow throw.
Weight is also another important factor. The more weight of the vehicle, the better the grip it will get on the road. For that reason, the lighter cars will generally tend to slide around in extreme snow conditions. To counteract this, drivers with light vehicles will add more weight to the car.
Do Audi Offer Good Snow Performance?
Now that you know what factors come into play for snow performance let us focus on Audis. Well, as we have stated in the first part of the discussion, Audis generally provide a good overall snow performance. And here are the reasons why:
Quattro All-Wheel-Drive
Most of the new models of Audi will feature the Quattro all-wheel-drive system. This system has been around since the 1980s. And ever since then, it has been improving and becoming more advanced. Currently, the Quattro AWD system that Audis utilize features different high-end technologies.
The system offers superior performance and handling in challenging road conditions thanks to being so advanced.
Audi E-Tron
Some models of Audi will come with the E-Tron system. It is one of the newest and most advanced technologies that Audi offers. And this system basically utilizes an electric motor on every axle. There is no traditional gearbox present for the models with this system.
Nonetheless, each of the motors that are on the axles will have a one-speed transmission. This system will basically receive information from a series of sensors that monitors things such as throttle position, wheel slip, and motor torque.
After getting the information from the sensors, the system will send the right amount of power to every axle. All this will work seamlessly, and you will not notice the power changing.
Furthermore, some of the Audis will have a selectable drive mode. It will enable you to change how the system feels. You will also be capable of modifying the amount of grip by considering the condition of the road. Also, a dedicated mode offers higher overall traction for better winter driving.
Low Gearing for Off-Roading
One of the best models for snow from Audi is the Q7. It has a low-range gearing system, which is specifically for off-road terrains. However, off-roading is not the only thing that it is limited to. It also offers a perfect driving experience in icy and snowy conditions.
Audi Traction and Control
Most of the Audis will come with a traction control switch that allows the driver to engage the traction control system. When you engage the system, it will take care of any wheel that starts to slip. It does that by automatically slowing the speed of the tire. As a result, the slipping tire regains traction pretty easily.
While the system is doing its job, you will usually feel a jerk in the vehicle. However, in most cases, this jerk will be pretty minor. Also, you will have the option to turn the traction control off.
However, the anti-lock braking system will always be on. You can not turn it off because it is a mandatory safety feature.
Final Words
Still, wondering whether Audis are good in snow or not?
Well, in short, Audis are great for snow driving. They have loads of technological touches in them, which enhances overall safety. As a result, driving in extreme conditions with Audi is always a pleasing experience.
So, if you are planning to get an Audi and live in an area with severe weather conditions, you are making the right choice!
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