I just came back from a spirited drive in fresh snow with the FF. The car is just fenomenal in such conditions. If you keep the car in snow mode the electronics manage the car in a very controlled way. A launch control start is unspectacular, but very efficient in getting the car forward surprisingly quick. If you get on the gas too early after a bend the car just nicely adjusts the inputs and keeps in line. To really experience the balance and brutality of the car I switched off all systems (CST off). Then you can spray snow when getting off and slide as much as you like! One worry though: After the third time with around 10 doughnuts in the snow (yihaa!) the display gave the message "4WD system overheated". I guess the system is not designed to be engaged all the time, which it probably is when drifting in circles.. Anyone else experienced this??
Now THAT is something to be proud of, 4WD Overheat!! I am jealous! The COLD just hit NW Ohio, unfortunately so far today no snow, darn! Hopefully in the next week or so but it all looks like it will miss us in Toledo. When you stomp on it in deep snow I feel it shudder a split second then it backs everything down and simply starts going with no fuss at all ... until you hit a bit of dry pavement then hang on. The FF simply is the BEST. Rick
Sound like a great evening, is it your own car? Please post up pictures from the drive, must be amazing to drive around in such a best on the snow!
Yup, its my car and I try to use it as much as possible. I had my 5 year old son with me in the car tonight. He got a bit dizzy from all the drifting, but encouraged me to continue with a short hill climb and some launch control starts with CST off... What a machine! Unfortunately no pictures. My part of Sweden is dark after 16:30 this time of year. A separate note: I would have liked to be able to switch off the front wheel drive fully when having fun. Surely there must be a trick to do this? On my Porsche 997 Turbo I can pull the hand brake one click to switch off the front wheel drive.
sounds like another test I need to run.... A few thoughts...out of interest and continued admiration for the (under appreciated?) technical advancements of the FF The 4WD would likely overheat doing spirited donuts in snow as it creates both the highest differential in left/right wheel speeds (full lock) plus a strong demand for front wheel torque distribution (due to low grip and car attitude). The viscous clutches are slipping and working hard and would likely heat up quickly. As for turning it "off", unsure if that's possible but I have noticed when you go to Sport mode and beyond, seems the software engages the front torque distribution less often and less aggressively but it's always there. Post pics in the snow!
Great day today. I drove my FF during several hours on a track set up on an air field covered in a thick layer of snow. Everything in the car felt progressive and controllable and I soon went to CST off mode. After some practice I could slide from left to right and right to left in 120 km/ h. 4wd system worked perfectly all day and the traction was truly impressive. I could have gone on forever! Image Unavailable, Please Login
So jealous! Sounds like an awesome experience and great way to explore the abilities to the FF. Any more info and pics would be so cool to see.
Sounds like a fantastic amount of fun and a day to remember! Wish I could do the same! Just reinforces what I already know about my FF. as an everyday supercar, nothing can beat it!
Judging by your username I only live an hour away so I know what the conditions are like... Great looking FF there, sound like you had a fun day at the airfield! Did you visit Autoropas trackdays at Knutstorp in August? I remember there was a similar looking car there...
What he says is correct. It shouldn't be a problem unless you do this a lot. It's much worse on the 911 4's which are tracked a lot. Front viscous linkage overheats and wears out on a beat. The front gearbox cuts out (i.e only RWD) at ca. 150 km/h if you're in SPORT mode or 'above', as well as that it allows for much more rear slip in any speed / condition. It's not possible to turn the FWD off unless you mess with the ECU.
Absolutely amazing, I'm not an owner YET, but just reading the posts gives me GOOSEBUMPS!! Dove the FF a few months back, LOVED it, how could you not!!?? But it was in the dry, anxiously, awaiting the chance to drive it in the snow!! Thanks for the posts!! This is what FChat should be about! Pure Passion! Mark
