With their low-maintenance costs and efficient torque-shifting software, electric motors are here to stay. Our tech column explains why that's a good thing
introduced a similar twin-motor all-wheel drive system in 2020 called Direct4. The marketing blurb highlights the advantage of adjusting handling balance by altering the torque of the individual motors. More at the front will promote power understeer, at the rear oversteer and a balance of the two neutrality.
Is any of that new? Nissan’s use of regenerative braking in this way may be innovative enough, although the fundamental idea of inhibiting dive isn’t and is usually dealt with through the basic design of the suspension geometry. You can even buy an anti-dive kit for the classicEscort Mk1, but you can’t blame manufacturers for wanting to big up the plus points for their latest cars.
Changes in the torque output of electric motors can be instantaneous, though , and Nissan says its twin-motor system is faster than mechanical all-wheel drive systems. That said, the reaction time of mechanical, torque-shifting systems is measured in milliseconds anyway. Both systems also showcase what incredibly versatile things electric machines are. As well as doing away with tailpipe emissions, they generate maximum torque from the off, double as both motors and generators, act as powerful brakes as well, don’t wear out and don’t need servicing.
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