- Super Select
Super Select is the brand name of a
four-wheel drive system produced byMitsubishi Motors , used worldwide except forNorth America , where it is known as Active-Trac. It was first introduced in 1991 with the then-new second generation of theMitsubishi Pajero . [ [http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/corporate/museum/history/1990/e/index.html "History of Mitsubishi, 1990–1999"] , Mitsubishi Motors web museum]The system offers a choice of four rear- or four-wheel driving modes, selected using a lever mounted alongside the
gear shift , and can be changed while the vehicle is in motion. [http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/corporate/about_us/technology/performance/e/4wd.html "Super Select 4WD II"] , Mitsubishi Motors website] In 2H mode the frontaxle is disconnected and the vehicle is rear-wheel drive. Reduced frictional losses in thepowertrain mean thatfuel economy improves while noise levels are reduced. 4H is a part-time four-wheel drive mode using aviscous coupling unit (VCU) and center differential to direct drive to the front wheels when the rear axle loses traction, and is capable of handling a wide variety of road conditions and speeds. [http://www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk/features/ss.asp "Super Select"] , Mitsubishi Motors UK website] 4HLc locks the center differential to provide extra traction for sandy, snowy or poorly surfaced roads in "high range" mode, while 4LLc, the "low range" mode, also offers a much lower gearing, providing the maximum amount of traction. Changing between 4HLc and 4LLc is only possible with the vehicle stationary.The system is used on Mitsubishi's Pajero iO
mini SUV , while its larger Pajero, Challenger, Triton and Delica models use a more complex system dubbed Super Select II (SS4-II). In most respects the two are the same, although thetorque -split in SS4-II is 33/67 front/rear, meaning two thirds of the torque is channelled to the rear axle. In Super Select (SS4i) the torque-split is an equal 50/50. SS4-II also offers an option to lock the rear differential, offering greater traction to the rear axle.References
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
