Comments on: Haldex XWD

By: turbin

turbin — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:04:15 +0000

Yes but the “other” manufacturers can pay Saab for use of the trademark. Betcha they won’t though.

By: 1985 Gripen

1985 Gripen — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 23:41:38 +0000

But once Haldex starts putting this system into other manufacturers’ vehicles they can’t use the XWD name (assuming SAAB owns the trademark). They’ll have to name it something else.

By: turbin

turbin — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 22:39:34 +0000

Well if XWD is Saab’s trademark it makes some sense. If Haldex or anybody else want to use it Saab gets some sort of royalties. Or maybe Haldex gets to use it as some payout therefore reducing Saab’s development outlay. In any case IP is good business.

By: Kroum

Kroum — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 22:26:06 +0000

Was it not that Saab owned the “XWD” trademark? Why is Haldex using it for their fourth generation AWD system now?

By: turbin

turbin — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 21:53:32 +0000

1985 Gripen,

Yes Haldex is Swedish, another point of note is that the XWD plant is in Mexico.

The whole concept of 95% RWD LSD is great news for Saab in any environment or weather. Try turning ESP/TCS off on a FWD 9-3 and planting the foot, RHS front tyre goes up in smoke.

By: 1985 Gripen

1985 Gripen — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:11:57 +0000

Can you imagine how advantageous the XWD system would be in a WRC car? I would love to see SAAB jump back into rally racing with an XWD-equipped 9-1.

The only thing I fear is that though SAAB have the exclusive on this fourth-gen Haldex system, surely that’s not forever. How long before other manufacturers are allowed to buy the system? By the time the 9-1 comes out SAAB will likely no longer be the only auto manufacturer with the rights to the XWD system, meaning that their potential advantage in rally racing would be lost.

By: NG900Kev

NG900Kev — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 12:44:15 +0000

I wish, on that video, that I could have seen the actual speed. As it is, it is obvious that Mr. Backlund is an incredibly well-practiced, finely trained driver in an equally finely tuned car.

I love the concept of XWD, especially since it doesn’t require slippage before power transfer, but will predictively transfer power to the rear on takeoff, then towards the front as you drive. BEAUTIFUL!

By: 1985 Gripen

1985 Gripen — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 04:59:24 +0000

Oops, make that “95 percent” in my attempt at quoting in my comment above…

By: 1985 Gripen

1985 Gripen — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 04:58:29 +0000

ehall1: ovloV may use a Haldex AWD system, but not the innovative new XWD system that SAAB has debuted.

Note that it says “If the front tires lose traction, up to 65 percent of engine power can be transferred to the rear wheels”. The XWD system in the SAABs is predictive and doesn’t require the tire to lose traction before transferring power. Also, the XWD system can split the power between the rear wheels if necessary, whereas I believe a typical AWD system sends equal power to both rear wheels, even if one has lost traction.

I haven’t seen anyone else point out something I found interesting: Haldex is a Swedish firm.

By: ehall1

ehall1 — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 03:43:19 +0000

I was just reading up on the new XC90 ovloV and it is using the Haldex AWD also.
“The Haldex all-wheel-drive system sends 95 percent of engine torque to the front wheels in normal driving. If the front tires lose traction, up to 65 percent of engine power can be transferred to the rear wheels”. edmunds just did a drive in it. They liked the car but did not like the engine.