Torque vectoring is a feature that seems to be popping up in everything from hatchbacks to hyper cars, but what exactly is it and how do auto manufacturers implement it? There are a few different ways it can be applied, but in a recent post on its official blog, Lexus explains how its torque-vectoring differential works in the RC F.
The RC F, packed with a 5.0-liter V8, sends 467 horsepower and 389 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels. When it gets there, the torque vectoring differential divides the torque between the two, providing stability on the rear axle in situations where the driver might lose it.
How this differs from a standard differential is that, where as a basic mechanical diff spins the outer wheel faster than the inner wheel (it has longer to travel), the TVD in the RC F employs electronic motors and actuators that apply pressure to multi-plate clutches that can control the distribution of torque.
Essentially, while good ol’ physics will get the differential to split the torque between the wheels, the electronics can now influence things when it sees fit, “vectoring” the torque where it senses the car needs it the most.
In a track application, putting a ton of torque on the inside wheel of a turn would basically put the brakes on it, having the outside of the car sort of pivot around it, making tight corners easier to handle. Specifically for the RC F, there’s three modes that can be manually selected: Standard, Slalom, and Track. Standard (surprise) is the basic driving configuration, while slalom optimizes the response for quick left-right alternating experienced on twisty back roads. Track mode puts an emphasis on keeping the rear axle stable at high speeds.
Related: Hot Fuzz: Dubai’s Police force deputizes the Lexus RC F
That’s (hopefully) the easy to digest version. Lexus also provided a link to a video posted by Engineering Explained, which features the RC F’s TVD for a more in-depth explanation of how a torque vectoring diff works.
BYD has launched the third-generation Qin Plus DM-i in China, and the first thing that caught my eye is its price. According to CarNewsChina, the plug-in hybrid sedan starts at 79,900 yuan, which is about $11,980. That’s an incredibly low price for a brand-new car, especially by US standards.
What’s even more impressive is the range. The Qin Plus DM-i can drive up to 137 miles on electricity alone, which should cover most people’s daily commutes without using a drop of gas. Once the battery runs out, the 1.5-liter engine takes over. Thanks to its 17-gallon tank and roughly 91 mpg with a drained battery, the combined range reaches up to 1,423 miles.
Apple won the PC market’s worst quarter, but that’s not the entire story. It won the race by stumbling less than everyone else.
PC makers shipped just 57 million computers worldwide in Q3, which might look good, but it’s a 21% year-over-year plunge (via Counterpoint Research). And despite Apple’s Mac shipments falling by 11%, to 5.6 million, its market share rose from 8.7% to 9.8%. How did that happen?
Update (October 22 23:54 PT): In response to our query, GM clarified that offline recording support is already available on eligible vehicles. Like Tesla's Sentry Mode, it requires owners to connect a USB drive to save incident recordings, which can be viewed on the vehicle's infotainment screen. The upcoming Connected Cameras feature will build on this by giving owners remote access to these recordings via the revamped OnStar app, allowing them to check footage without walking out to their car.
General Motors has announced plans to add a new Connected Cameras feature to its OnStar service starting next year, giving drivers a way to monitor parked vehicles remotely and capture footage of certain incidents.