Why quattro all-wheel drive is an asset on wet roads
In summary
Audi quattro is the name of the all-wheel drive system found on most vehicles from the German manufacturer. On wet roads, this system can greatly help you stay on course.
Here are a few examples of situations where quattro could help you stay safe, even when the weather acts up.
|
Driving situation |
What quattro brings |
Limits |
|---|---|---|
|
Acceleration |
Distributes power between the wheels to transfer it to the pavement optimally. |
As with any system, acceleration that is too abrupt can cause a loss of control. |
|
Very wet pavement |
All-wheel drive improves stability when some wheels lose grip. |
Quattro does not prevent hydroplaning. Speed and tire condition remain important factors for your safety. |
|
Starting off in the rain |
Sends power to all four wheels and reduces wheelspin when pulling away. |
Better stability does not significantly reduce braking distance. |
|
Cornering |
Torque guidance enables more stable, smoother turns. |
As with any vehicle, excessive speed in a turn can lead to a loss of control. |
Why is traction reduced on wet roads?
Grip drops on wet roads because the water on the pavement acts like a thin film between the tire and the surface.
This thin layer of water reduces friction and blocks direct contact between the tire and the road. With less contact, tires have a harder time gripping the road.
How does Audi quattro all-wheel drive react when traction drops?
Variable torque distribution: send power where grip is available
Audi variable torque distribution is programmed to automatically distribute the vehicle’s power among the four wheels.
This system sends maximum power to the wheels with the most grip so the vehicle can move forward and maintain its trajectory.
Torque guidance and cornering stability
Quattro also helps maintain stability with torque guidance.
Based on the same principles as variable torque distribution, torque guidance sends engine torque to the outside wheel while lightly braking the inside wheel in a turn.
This ensures better traction and smoother turns with quattro. As a result, torque guidance makes driving more pleasant in good weather and more secure in poor weather.
Quattro, quattro ultra and e-quattro: technologies adapted to each model
Most Audi vehicles are equipped with a form of quattro all-wheel drive. Most use the core Audi quattro all-wheel drive system, a permanent all-wheel drive setup.
Quattro ultra is a non-permanent system that can switch between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive on demand.
This system helps save fuel when you are in safe road conditions, while giving you the option to engage all-wheel drive on wet roads.
Lastly, e-quattro is an all-wheel drive system for electric vehicles. In practical terms, e-quattro coordinates two electric motors rather than distributing the power of a single gasoline engine.
From the driver’s perspective, e-quattro operates very similarly to the quattro all-wheel drive system.
What are the advantages of quattro in daily driving when it rains?
In the rain, Audi quattro offers several noteworthy advantages.
First, because power is sent to all four wheels, the car maintains more points of contact between the road and the wheels that guide the vehicle.
Then, because the system can adjust power at each wheel in a fraction of a second, it provides better control than a front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive setup, which both offer fewer possibilities for power distribution.
Does quattro prevent hydroplaning?
Against hydroplaning, the quattro system can be an asset, since it ensures the wheels that remain in contact receive power. If your front wheels lose grip, an all-wheel drive system can still rely on the rear wheels.
However, hydroplaning is a total loss of contact between your car’s tires and the road.
No all-wheel drive system can completely prevent hydroplaning, because sending power to wheels with no grip has no practical effect.
Quattro does not replace quality tires or good driving habits.
Tires, speed and road conditions: what quattro cannot replace
Audi quattro helps on wet roads, but it cannot replace safe driving habits and regular tire maintenance.
In the rain, quattro can help you preserve grip by making sure each of your wheels receives the power it needs, but it is still preferable to adapt your driving by going slower when roads are wet.
High-quality, well-maintained tires also evacuate water better and help maintain grip.
In short, even if your vehicle benefits from quattro traction, you should always remain cautious on wet roads.
Which 2026 Audi models are offered with quattro?
In Canada, gas-powered Audi models are exclusively equipped with quattro all-wheel drive, to maximize traction, especially in winter. This is also true for most electric models, though some are offered with the option between quattro all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive systems. The latter helps maximize range.
Try quattro all-wheel drive at Audi West Island
Come try quattro all-wheel drive at Audi West Island, your Audi dealership in Dollard-des-Ormeaux.
Booking a test drive at Audi West Island gives you the chance to try any vehicle from the incredible Audi lineup before deciding which one suits you best.
FAQ: Audi quattro and driving in the rain
Is Audi quattro useful when it rains?
Yes, Audi quattro helps reduce the risk of an accident in the rain by distributing engine power to the wheels that need it.
How does quattro all-wheel drive improve grip?
By distributing engine power among all four wheels in real time, quattro ensures the wheels with the best grip receive the most power, which makes it easier to stay on course.
Does quattro prevent hydroplaning?
No, no traction system can completely prevent hydroplaning. Even in a vehicle equipped with quattro all-wheel drive, you should always keep safe driving habits when weather conditions require it.
What is the difference between quattro and quattro ultra?
Audi quattro is a full-time all-wheel drive system, while quattro ultra can switch from front-wheel drive to all-wheel drive on demand.
Does e-quattro work the same way as quattro?
From a mechanical standpoint, e-quattro does not work the same way as quattro, since the e-quattro system manages the power of two electric motors rather than a single gasoline engine.
However, both systems pursue the same objective. For this reason, the differences between the two are almost imperceptible while driving.
Do you still need good tires with an Audi quattro?
Yes, Audi quattro distributes power to the wheels with good grip, but it cannot restore grip to wheels that no longer have direct contact with the ground.
Without quality tires, the wheels lose grip more easily, which can lead to hydroplaning, for example.
