2008 Volvo XC90 V8 Sport AWD

Haldex 3 AWD system

Traction control ON for the entire video

I am actually pretty impressed with the FWD-based Haldex 3 AWD on this thing! This is the first time I’ve ever done anything “serious” with the XC90 V8. The slope was about ~35° on both sides with a ditch in the middle, slippery grass, etc. I was honestly expecting it to get stuck as I don’t have LSDs, locking differentials, or any other off-road technology. I think the Haldex 3 system is even too early for the brake-torque vectoring (Haldex 4 I think). The AWD system uses a Haldex clutch that controls the rear differential when the car detects the front wheels slipping, though it sends 95% of the power to the front and about 5% of the power to the rear from a stop unless circumstances dictate more traction. I wish it could shift power from side to side, but this is an older “AWD” system and for its age, it did remarkably well. Would I take it on a crazy off-road course? No. Would I like to take it to some sort of testing area to see what It can do? Absolutely.

I love my Volvo 😁