4 Wheel Drive Cars

Four wheel drive cars are cars in which all the four wheels receive torque power from the engine simultaneously. 4 wheel drive cars are also referred to as 4WD or 4×4 cars. The first four refers to the number of wheels while the second four refers to the number of wheels that receive power from the engine. Four wheel cars are better adapted to run better on low traction terrain such as mud, snow, ice, loose gravel and slippery surfaces where 4×2 may not be best suited.

Four wheel drive cars unlike all wheel drive (AWD) cars have an option allowing the driver to manually switch from four-wheel drive to two-wheel drive when it becomes appropriate such as when driving along paved streets. Some models even have an automatic switch option to transfer power from the engine to only two wheels instead of four automatically.

The inventor of the first four wheel drive is not well recorded. In 1893, Engineer Bramah Joseph Diploc submitted a patent for a four wheel drive system with three differentials and four wheels steering which was later built. Ferdinand Porsche designed and constructed an electric vehicle that was four-wheel driven in 1899. The vehicle had an electric hub motor attached to each wheel.

The Spyker 60 H.P was the first car with a six-cylinder engine and was presented in 1903 by Amsterdam based Dutch brothers Hendrik-Jan and Jacobus Spijeker. The car had two seats and was a four wheel drive. In the United States, the first set of four wheel drive cars where manufactured in 1906 by the Twyford Company of Pennsylvania and a total of six of them were first produced. One of which is still available and displayed occasionally.

By the advent of World War two, 4 wheel drive cars, jeeps and trucks were quite popular and extensively used by the military of many countries. Since its humble beginnings four wheel drive cars have now become very popular with numerous modern brand names around. Some popular brands include Mercedes, Hummer, Land rover, Ford, Range Rover, Rambler, Buick, Toyota, Audi, Volkswagen and many others.

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There are a few 4 wheel drive cars of 2009 that are well received by most families that need the room that SUV’s offer but not the price or the feel of an SUV. Acura, Mazda, and Land Rover has come out with several all wheel drive vehicles that look like SUV’s but they drive like sport vehicles or CUV’s.

Acura MDX -SH

The Acura MDX is a CUV that seats 7 comfortably. It has rear seat DVD entertainment and it is comfortable for a large SUV. It gets 20mpg on the highway and 15mpg in the city. The MSRP is about $48,900. It comes standard with voice activated navigation system, wireless headphones, 10 speakers surround sound, Bluetooth connection, power leather seats, power tailgate, and power moon roof. The seats are all leather, heated and with lumbar support. The only down side is the bombardment of buttons on the console and the wheel. It does have a 5 star rating for side and front crash testing, with air bags on the side and front.

Mazda CX- 7

This car has a modern design, 7 set CUV. This model runs about $40,200. It has a keyless entry feature, blind spot monitoring, Bose audio system, V6 engine, quick turn response, and it drives like a sports car. This model has a built in torque split that adjust traction, angle, slippage and acceleration. There is great comfort front leg room and a classy, elegant look and feel.

Land rover LR2

The land rover is famous for its rugged vehicles and this model is rugged and luxurious at the same time. It has all leather interior. It is much smaller than a regular sized SUV. It has great acceleration ad tight turning features. This model comes with rain sensing wipes, rear park distance control, 14 speaker surround sound, and power memory seats. It gets 15mpg in the city ad 22mpg on the highway.

All of these brands of vehicles are popular because they never fail to impress. They bring quality and safety each year to the market of fine SUV’s and sport vehicles.

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