Renault Active Drive

[ukaskew]

I noticed an article tucked away in the latest Evo regarding Renault's latest attempt at Four Wheel Steering ('4WS') which they've branded 'Active Drive'. The Evo team understandably seemed a little sceptical at first, but after trying it out on the latest Laguna they said...

'one the most agile front wheel drive car I've ever driven'

(they compared it on the same slalom with a Boxster, which struggled to keep up)

Apparently Renaultsport have had a big hand in developing the technology and Renault have decided that all future models will have to be able to accomodate the technology. After the Laguna next Spring it should be showing up in future Renaultsport models.

So, in conclusion, it looks like the 197 may be the last Clio to steer with 2 wheels. Looks pretty interesting for the future.

 

[V1NNY]

is it the same system thats in the vel satis

 

[GordonD]

Sounds like the same as what Honda had years ago. Not that that's saying it doesn't work. Only its puzzling that Renault could say it patented it in 1991. A couple of the Japanese manufacturers tried 4WS - and a lot of other crazy gimmicks - then abandoned them.

You get very responsive steering at low speeds and a small turning circle at parking and manouvering speeds thanks to the rear wheels turning in the opposite direction to the front wheels. But you don't get the high speed twitchiness and instability thanks to the rear wheels turning in the same direction and slowing down the steering response.

The Clio with its shorter wheelbase doesn't need the former, but it'd help its high speed handling to have the latter.

I'm surprised they don't tie it into the ESP.

 

[RichRSi]

It's just another thing to go wrong imo and renaults like going wrong.

 

[Rich]

Very true to the above.

The Pug 306 has a small amount of passive rear steer which is meant to be effective - that said most people that use the car for competition get rid of it with soild mounts. Say goodbye to the days of some gold old school lift off oversteer in the future then !

 

[Lagerlout]

I used to love my old Dturbo for that. Until I went in a ditch that is. lol.

I'm sure my mates old Celica used to have that 4WS thing.