What is Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) anyway?

Longitudinal torque distribution

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Normally, Mitsubishi vehicles with S-AWC are driven with a front-wheel-drive bias for improved fuel economy, but torque can be distributed between the front and rear axles when the vehicle senses a loss of traction or in various driving situations for balanced handling. In a Mitsubishi with a conventional drivetrain, there is a mechanical connection between the engine and front and rear differentials; in the Outlander PHEV, front and rear electric motors take care of the torque transfer.

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Lateral torque vectoring

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When cornering, the brakes on the wheels inside the turn are lightly applied to help make turning sharper. Sensors monitor steering angle, yaw rate (how quickly the vehicle is turning), driving torque, brake pressure and wheel speed, and S-AWC uses that data to make appropriate adjustments, such as brake pressure and separate wheel speed, to keep the vehicle steering as the driver intended.

4-Wheel Brake Control

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Anti-lock brakes and the stability control system work in tandem to ensure the vehicle comes to a controlled stop. The brakes at each wheel are able to react according to their own traction needs.  

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While S-AWC is a completely automated system, it also includes seven driver-selectable modes to adapt to various conditions: Power, Normal, ECO, Tarmac, Snow, Gravel and Mud. S-AWC parameters are changed for each mode to ensure optimal traction and performance, no matter the situation. For example, overall torque in Power mode is sharp for responsive acceleration on dry pavement, while it would be more subdued in Snow to help alleviate wheel slip.

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Some other automakers may have similar AWD and torque vectoring systems, but Mitsubishi’s S-AWC has everything working together and controlled from one source, which makes the performance smoother and handling feel more settled. Not to mention making the ride more comfortable for passengers.

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Moving forward, turning a corner, and coming to a stop; those are the three basic elements of driving, don’t you think? Mitsubishi’s advanced S-AWC technology helps make sure vehicle response matches driver input, for the safety and performance you’d expect from the top step of the podium.