Rear End Info

When I first started learning about options for the Miata I bought for my wife I kept seeing people asking if their car had a Torsen or not. I’m not to new to cars to say the least but I admit I had never heard of a Torsen. So I went looking around to see exactly what this was and why people wanted it. This covers what I learned and why I wanted to make sure the car had one afterwards.

These two videos I found really nailed it explaining it all.

 

 

 

The Torsen design should allow for the smoothest torque transfer and a nice long life with no maintenance involved other than fluid changes.

 

More info I found on the net :

The Torsen differential is a mechanical self-locking centre differential which regulates the power between the front and rear axles according to demand. The word “Torsen” is made up of the words “torque” and “sensing”, indicating that the differential operates on the basis of torque sensing. It responds to varying rotational forces between the input and output shafts (front and rear axle). This enables variable distribution of the driving torque between the axles. On a Torsen differential the two output gears are interconnected by worm gears. They limit high differential rotation speeds, but still balance the speeds when cornering.

The main disadvantage of the Torsen differential is when no torque is sensed on one of the axles, the differential does not lock. Torsen differential is not capable of transferring 100% of torque to one of the axles. In real life this means that when a single axle loses grip completely (very low traction on ice, or if wheels raised in the air) the car is not able to move.

 

Torsen applications

 

Center

  • Alfa Romeo Q4 versions: 156 Crosswagon & Sportwagon, 159, Brera & Spider Q4
  • quattro versions of Audi: Audi Quattro (from 1987)
    Audi 80 & 90, Audi S2, Audi RS2 Avant
    Audi 100 / Audi 200 / Audi 5000
    Audi Coupé quattro
    Audi A4, Audi S4, Audi RS4
    Audi A5 & S5
    Audi A6, Audi S6, Audi RS6
    Audi A8, Audi S8
    A6 allroad quattro
    Audi Q5
    Audi Q7
    Audi V8 (manual transmission)
  • Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS
  • Lexus GX, LS 600h / LS 600h L, LX
  • Mitsubishi Triton 5th Generation
  • Range Rover L322
  • Saab 9-7X Aero
  • Toyota: 4runner Limited, FJ Cruiser 6-speed manual, Toyota Landcruiser 200, Toyota Landcruiser 120/150, Toyota Sequoia
  • Volkswagen: Passat (badged as 4motion) (B5 platform), Amarok (permanent 4motion version only)
  • Nissan Frontier (Nismo/Pro 4x Off Road)[citation needed]

 

Center and rear

  • Audi V8 with manual transmission
  • Audi i8

 

Front and rear axles

  • Humvee
  • Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution

 

Front axle only

  • Honda/Acura Integra Type R
  • Alfa Romeo: GT, 147 Q2
  • Honda Civic Si (06-current)
  • Honda Civic 1.8 VTi Europe & UK (5-door & Aerodeck Wagon, 1996–2000)
  • Ford Focus RS
  • Nissan Maxima SE 6 Speed manual
  • Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec-V
  • Oldsmobile Calais W41 (7 cars equipped from the factory, C41 option code)
  • Oldsmobile Achieva W41 (7-10 cars equipped from the factory, C41 option code)
  • Rover 200 Coupe Turbo, 200 BRM/LE, 220 Turbo, 420 Turbo, 620 Ti, 820 Vitesse (200PS version only)
  • Honda Accord Type R
  • Subaru Impreza STI after 2005
  • Ford F-150 SVT Raptor starting with the 2012 model year
  • Volvo 850 R Only if equipped with M59 manual gearbox[citation needed]
  • Renault Megane RS
  • Peugeot RCZ R
  • Peugeot 208 GTI by Peugeot Sport

 

Rear axle only

  • Audi V8 with automatic transmission
  • Audi R8
  • Alfa Romeo: 155 Q4, 164 Q4
  • BMW Z3
  • Citroën BX 4×4 with ABS (same as Peugeot 405 4×4)
  • Dodge/Ram Heavy Duty 2003-Present Equipped with 11.5 AAM Rear Axle
  • Ford Ranger FX4 2002 only, Ranger FX4 Level II 2003-2009
  • Honda S2000
  • Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  • Lancia Delta Integrale
  • Lexus IS, Lexus IS F, Lexus LFA
  • Maserati Biturbo
  • Mazda: Miata/MX-5 (option on 94-05 manual models), RX-7, RX-8
  • Nissan Silvia S15 SpecR
  • Nissan Skyline R34 GTT, 25GT-X, 25GT-V Manual
  • Peugeot 405 4×4 with ABS (same as Citroën BX 4×4)
  • Peugeot 505 turbo sedan (1989 model year only)
  • Subaru Impreza WRX STI (2007–2011)
  • Toyota Celica GT-Four, Toyota Supra, Toyota Soarer, Toyota Aristo, Toyota Mark II, Toyota Chaser, Toyota Cresta, Toyota Verossa, Toyota Altezza
  • Pontiac Firebird 4th Generation, only years 1999-2002
  • Chevrolet Camaro 4th Generation, only years 1999-2002
  • Chevrolet Camaro SS, Pontiac Fire Hawk & Comp T/A 4th Generation, option in years 1996-1997
  • Subaru Legacy spec.B
  • 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302, option. Standard on Laguna Seca Edition.
  • 2014 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, option.
  • 2014 Ford Mustang GT, included in GT Track Package.
  • 2015-2016 Ford Mustang GT, included in Performance Package.
  • Toyota GT86 (also sold as the Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S in various markets)
  • Super Duty F-450/550 99-Current Ford.

 

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