Tropicana Magazine Jan-Feb 2018 #116: A Start From The Heart

THE DRIVE
Arguably, it is more the European auto
manufacturers that take a significant interest in winter
driving. BMW, for example, introduced all-wheel drive
on their 3 Series and 5 Series models as far back as the
1980s. This was less known at the time, as the company
had more of a reputation for front-engine, rear-wheel
drive sports sedans — and yet it was still a necessary
marketing decision to help make their cars more
appealing in a wider range of markets. Granted that
system has been developed and improved a great deal
since then, eventually becoming the xDrive system you
see on modern BMW SUVs.
Audi was a little different with their approach. Their
participation in rally, culminating the era
of Group B, resulted in the original Audi
Quattro; it was an incredible car, albeit
running a primitive four-wheel drive
system (Note Not all-wheel drive. The
distinction between four-wheel drive and
all-wheel drive is the latter can adjust how
torque is distributed). This system was
refined over the years, with the inclusion
of electronic systems and torque biasing
that made it the highly adaptive, effective
all-wheel drive system you see today.
But what is really surprising is
Volvo. Despite hailing from a country
that experiences snowfall on a regular
basis, Volvo was not too fussed about
adopting all-wheel drive systems. Their
cars were initially rear-wheel drive
through the 1970s, transitioning to
front-wheel drive later on as front-wheel
drive made for a safer chassis design and was easier to
drive in slippery conditions. While their SUV models are
now primarily equipped with all-wheel drive, they were
more a pre-requisite for markets where SUVs are taken
off the beaten path.
Perhaps Volvo’s approach was most indicative of
Swedish mentality and mindset — they did not need
all-wheel drive to get through difficult conditions, even
though it would be a great help. Their focus was on driver
development itself, and the average Swede can handle
a bit of snow regardless of what car they’re driving. But
the question remains: If you don’t happen to be born in
a country with icy roads or have years of experience, how
do you get up to speed?
"The first step to
learning how to
drive on ice and snow
is overcoming the
fear of a loss of grip
because even with
studded winter tyres
there will be moments
when the car is going
to break traction."
The answer lies in driver training programmes. BMW is
the most prominent of the lot, with driver training courses
that cover multiple aspects of driving. The more traditional
courses focus on accident avoidance and reactions,
eventually pushing participants up to track driving and high
speed car control if they choose to stick with the programme.
But there are particular subsets, such as their Ice Driving
programme and off-road courses that train participants in
the various skills necessary to navigate treacherous terrain.
Porsche also offers an ice driving experience, although it
is far less regimented or restrictive in nature. Unlike BMW’s
courses which are structured and require participants to
progress through each level, Porsche opens it up to anyone
willing to put money down and pay for a flight
ticket out. Arguably, the skills that Porsche
offers are also a little less relevant in the real
world, but it is more an experience than a
training course after all.
One would expect Audi to focus on driver
training as well — especially since they proudly
display their Quattro models at multiple
airports around Europe during the winter
months — but again they provide more of an
experience than an actual learning course.
Participants have a chance to throw a fleet of
Audi Quattro models around manufactured
tracks on frozen lakes, although the instruction
is a little less closely monitored.
But what all of these programmes achieve,
at the very least, is the ability to get drivers
accustomed to the feeling of low grip conditions.
The first step to learning how to drive on ice
and snow is overcoming the fear of a loss of grip,
because the reality is that even with studded winter tyres
there are going to be moments when the car is going to break
traction. Uneven road surfaces and transitions between snow
(slightly slippery) to ice (extremely slippery) can mean the car
will unsettle itself as you drive along even at a leisurely pace,
and so it is important not to panic.
The next step is to understand how throttle and steering
inputs affect the behaviour of the car. Most drivers will
already understand that driving on slippery surfaces means
slowing down, but it is also how they accelerate and steer that
affects how a car manoeuvres through bends and corners.
A little too much steering might throw the car into a spin,
while too much throttle may cause the car to lose front end
grip and drive it into a snow back — or worse, a tree.
TM | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
118