MINI Clubman ALL4 – driving fun with all four wheels

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The MINI Clubman now comes with ALL4, MINI’s all-wheel drive system that promises more driving fun from this premium compact hatch. Designed to maximise traction and handling in all weather and road conditions, the ALL4 runs off a power take-off bevel gear on the front axle differential.

This is connected to a dual-section propeller shaft and a rear axle differential with an electro-hydraulically controlled hang-on clutch. The system is interconnected with MINI’s Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) to enable distribution of drive torque between front and rear wheels, with the system adapting precisely to the road conditions.

Under normal conditions, the DSC powers the front wheels, as is typical of MINIs. Depending on speed an road conditions, the DSC can activate the ALL4 system to power the rear wheels. It does this by powering an electrohydraulic pump that locks the hang-on clutch.

Power is transmitted through a dual-section tubular shaft with joints that permit component movement at the front and rear of the MINI. At the front, the shaft connects to the front differential bevel gear and the hang-on clutch at the rear differential.

For locking of the differentials, the ALL4 system uses Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC), optimising traction when taking corners through the use of selective braking. Should DSC be turned off, this prevents spinning of the front wheel on the inside of the bend and transmits drive power to the outer front wheel instead.

ALL4 is activated whenever necessary, with the correct amount of drive directed to the rear wheels in equal amounts. Differing wheel rotation speeds are compensated for in the normal way between the front and rear differentials. Should the DSC detect wheel slip, selective braking is applied till equal rotational speed is achieved.

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DSC permanently calculates the ideal power distribution between front and rear wheels, taking into account wheel rotation speeds and the current longitudinal and lateral acceleration figures. Readings are also taken for road speed, accelerator position, engine torque and steering angle as well as the settings of the driving dynamics system and the optional MINI Driving Modes.

ALL4 is now available on the MINI Cooper S Clubman and the SD Clubman. In the Cooper S, the ALL4 is powered by a two-litre, four-cylinder turbo petrol with 192 hp at 5,000 rpm and 280 Nm at 1,250 rpm, while the diesel SD uses a two-litre four-cylinder diesel with a variable turbine turbo that puts out 190 hp at 4,000 rpm and 400 Nm torque between 1,750 to 2,500 rpm.

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Paul Tan

After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

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