SSP 066 – Volkswagen Transporter and Caravelle syncro

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All-wheel drive technology Volkswagen Transporter and Caravelle syncro

Under the name “syncro,” Volkswagen offers an all-wheel-drive system for Transporter and Bus versions that differs from conventional all-wheel-drive vehicles.

The outstanding feature is the functioning of the viscous coupling in the front axle drive. The viscous coupling drives the front wheels whenever one or both rear wheels rotate faster than the front wheels due to slip—whether off-road, in wet conditions, ice, or snow.

This all-wheel drive is always engaged; only the amount of power transmission to the front wheels changes as needed, up to nearly 100%.

The viscous coupling is the starting point for many conceptual advantages:

It engages smoothly and without jerking.
It damps vibrations and shocks in the drivetrain components.
It acts as a compensator for speed differences between the drive axles.
It makes operator errors impossible.

Good handling characteristics on the road, superiority off-road.

Upon special request, syncro models can be delivered with a selectable all-wheel-drive system. Both versions can be equipped as an extra with selectable differential locks for the rear and front axle drives.

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