Alfa Romeo Alfa GT and Alfa 147 Q2 - Test drive An ideal balance between traction and driving precision... Balocco (Vercelli, Italy)- Front, post or integral traction? There is no doubts each kind of solution has its advantages and disadvantages, and that is why many car manufacturers are studying how to develop some other systems, to mix all advantages of each kind of traction while avoiding any limit. In general, front traction is said to let definately an easier driving, as it allows a good driving even on slimid grounds when power is not too high (200 hp about). But when power increases, the torque affects too much on the steering wheel, compromising the handling. As a consequence, the driver needs to decelerate on bends, mostly on hard roads. To reduce those limits, Alfa Romeo worked hard, to create a brand new self-locking differential that is expected to increase driver's satisfaction and to guarantee at the same time the benefits of a four wheel drive. It is named Q2, referring to the integral traction Q4, and it was projected to follow that ideal balance between traction and driving precision. How self-locking differential and Q2 system work We are in Balocco, an Italian little village near Vercelli, inside the structure used by Fiat Group's technicians to test new cars and technical solutions. Here we are just to test this new hatchback. But before starting, we want to write some words to better describe how does this new system work. It is a Torsen self-locking front differential, all mechanical, which improves all the strong points of a front-wheel drive system in terms of active safety, increasing driving enjoyment and control. As a matter of facts, when you drive on a bend with a good side acceleration, and then you accelerate, you have a lost of adherence, which therefore reduces acceleration and compromises also the driving gear. That is why you need to decelerate, to stay safe. But in this way performances become less sporty. On the other hand, if you are using a self-locking differential as Q2, as soon as the internal wheel starts loosing adherence on bend, there is a sursplus of friction inside the same differential, which reduces the internal wheel sliding, while at the same time improving the movements of the external one. This system presents many advantages. Firstly, the resistance of the tyre increases, and so the traction. As a result, the driver can have a higher speed on bend, and try better sports performances. In addition, this system also allows higher safety, over all on hard roads. On race track with 147 and GT To this this Q2 syste, we went onto two different race tracks: the first one, called “delle Langhe”, is 400 Km long, full of both slides and slopes, and strict and large bends. Moreover the second one, a composed three Km long way, well wet for this occasion. We drove Alfa 147 and GT, two cars which are going to be equipped with the new Q2 system at the beginning. They are very different to each other, and this means that the new self-locking differential is completely versatile and suitable for every kind of vehicle and use. Thereofore, it is good both for a family car like 147, and at the same time for a more sports car like GT. In both cases, safety is the common main characteristic. In Italy Alfa 147 and Gt are going to be powered by a 1.9 JTD M of 150 hp and a torque of 305 Nm. This choice can be erxplained from the fact that the Q2 system needs a high torque level. On a wet road... Let's start with the new 147 Q2 on the second little and quicker track. 147 Q2 is agile and sports. As driving on the wet road, we fristly try to suddenly decelerate on a bend: nothing happens! The car stay stiff on the road, with only a little jump of the rear toward. But driving gear needs no adjustements. Let's acelerate again, until 2000 RPM, and a torque preatty near to the peak: the car pushes on, but it still keeps its direction and we do not need to adjust it. Over all, the effects of this acceleration on the steering wheel are minimum, as it stay still quite precise. The VDC is active very rarely, to control the a possible exceed of slide. GT is heavier, and we can say it soon appear us to be even more stable and precise on the driving direction. The car shows to be perfect while driving, precise during acceleration. Therefore, we can definately say that this system, together with engines, make a front traction near to an integral traction, but still ideal for higher power and torque, for a maximum efficiency. In conclusion, this is a great solution. Infomotori.co.uk wants to suggest to all its readers to verify by their own, as this new Q2 system is very interesting and convenient!

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