[Bernie]

I took this little screenshot from the Fisker app.

So clearly ST is a torque vectoring mechanism. And it sounds like maybe it will allow one of the wheel pairs to disconnect to save battery while cruising. I want to know how much better this willl be than the standard AWD on the Ocean. For reference, everyone loves the SH-AWD on the Acura Products. I figure it will have to be at least that good to be worth any amount of money.
Also, I was going to put this in the "About those options" thread, because I believe it will be available for the Ultra trim. I just want to know do I NEEEEEEED it. Of course I want it haha. I personally think this is one of the bigger contributors of the price increase going to the Extreme Trim.



 

[S7davis]

Since you from Canada I would say yes you need it. Now for me as I am in So Cal I do not need it.

 

[182]

You will benefit from this in snowy Canada, but you first need dedicated winter tires. It doesn't matter how well one controls each wheel if the traction at the contact patch is low. If your economics dictate one or the other, you are far better served by buying the winter tires first.

 

[Langer]

@Bernie, I have the same question as you. I'm in snowy Winnipeg but I thought I will have AWD on the Ultra plus snow/ice mode so why would I need smart traction? I'd like to know what snow/ice mode does vs smart traction? I will put on snow tires too. I suspect that the range difference between the Ultra and Extreme is due to the smart traction efficiency increase.

 

[UltraVol]

@Bernie, I have the same question as you. I'm in snowy Winnipeg but I thought I will have AWD on the Ultra plus snow/ice mode so why would I need smart traction? I'd like to know what snow/ice mode does vs smart traction? I will put on snow tires too. I suspect that the range difference between the Ultra and Extreme is due to the smart traction efficiency increase.

I suspect that the range difference between the Ultra and Extreme is due to the smart traction efficiency increase.

That is my guess too. I'm thinking that "Smart Traction" may disengage either the front or rear drives under cruising conditions which would improve the range by some factor? Or, perhaps, the extra range noted for the One or Extreme may be derived from the additional energy generated through the solar roof panels? Or, both??

 

[Heynowirv]

I took this little screenshot from the Fisker app.

So clearly ST is a torque vectoring mechanism. And it sounds like maybe it will allow one of the wheel pairs to disconnect to save battery while cruising. I want to know how much better this willl be than the standard AWD on the Ocean. For reference, everyone loves the SH-AWD on the Acura Products. I figure it will have to be at least that good to be worth any amount of money.
Also, I was going to put this in the "About those options" thread, because I believe it will be available for the Ultra trim. I just want to know do I NEEEEEEED it. Of course I want it haha. I personally think this is one of the bigger contributors of the price increase going to the Extreme Trim. View attachment 443


Between this and the winter package probably. But I can't (won't) go another 19k. 5K at best.

 

[Heynowirv]

I suspect that the range difference between the Ultra and Extreme is due to the smart traction efficiency increase.

That is my guess too. I'm thinking that "Smart Traction" may disengage either the front or rear drives under cruising conditions which would improve the range by some factor? Or, perhaps, the extra range noted for the One or Extreme may be derived from the additional energy generated through the solar roof panels? Or, both??

We're only talking about a 10 mile difference between the ultra and extreme and can't imagine it's about the mpge

 

[UltraVol]

We're only talking about a 10 mile difference between the ultra and extreme and can't imagine it's about the mpge

So, what would account for the 10 mile range difference? The One and Extreme have more rated HP, and possibly a little more gross weight, than an Ultra. Theoretically, you might think that an Ultra would produce the better range figures? Plus, the One and Extremes have 22" tires versus the Ultra standard tire size of 20." Wouldn't 20" tires get better range than 22" tires? Yes, I agree that it is only a small difference and no big deal. However, something is causing this difference?

 

[Bernie]

I'm with you @Langer, I always use winter tires in the cold months so I don't think I need Smart Traction.

Haha and @S7davis I appreciate your recommendation, but I think it's funny that someone from SoCal would tell a Canadian what kind of AWD they need. There are a zillion FWD cars on the road here all year long, including mine. Winter tires with FWD are superior to AWD on all-seasons in the snow.

It sounds like Smart Traction is more for performance and economy. I'll wait to find out more, but I have a feeling I won't be optioning this.

 

[Heynowirv]

I'm with you @Langer, I always use winter tires in the cold months so I don't think I need Smart Traction.

Haha and @S7davis I appreciate your recommendation, but I think it's funny that someone from SoCal would tell a Canadian what kind of AWD they need. There are a zillion FWD cars on the road here all year long, including mine. Winter tires with FWD are superior to AWD on all-seasons in the snow.

It sounds like Smart Traction is more for performance and economy. I'll wait to find out more, but I have a feeling I won't be optioning this.

I certainly found that out with my Mini Cooper about 6 years ago. I got stuck in the snow ,it was my first 'real " winter with the vehicle. Bought snow tires the following week and haven't had a problem since.

 

[Bernie]

Our Subaru Outback is unreal with winters on it. It feels so planted in the snow. I am definitely a believer in their AWD system.

 

[MTN Ranger]

So, what would account for the 10 mile range difference? The One and Extreme have more rated HP, and possibly a little more gross weight, than an Ultra. Theoretically, you might think that an Ultra would produce the better range figures? Plus, the One and Extremes have 22" tires versus the Ultra standard tire size of 20." Wouldn't 20" tires get better range than 22" tires? Yes, I agree that it is only a small difference and no big deal. However, something is causing this difference?

The solar roof probably accounts for the range difference. But you are right, the wheel sizes do affect range too.

 

[Misanoblue]

Smart Traction will use the camera to predict whether the car is about to hit water, snow or ice and proactively reconnect the rear axle.

 

[slipnslider]

This is something I'm wondering if it's worth the money to upgrade on an ultra. If its available with OTA update, I'll probably order without it, see how I like how it handles, then test drive one with torque vectoring, and decide if I really need it.

 

[Deafsoundguy]

Every car and AWD system is different. Ive had the good fortune of owning a ton of cars with AWD systems and they’ve all been a little different and they all feel differently in the snow (all of them with just all-seasons). The first car (SUV) I had with a graphic screen to show the car figuring out where to put power was my 2008 Acura SH-AWD. You could watch it switch back and forth to each wheel it thought the power should go. Drove like a tank, did a fine job in the elements.

While of course the right tire for the job is great, it is not the whole story. On our 2017 FPace, it came with its version of smart traction and Goodyear summer performance tires. I really feared those tires were going to suck come 🥶 winter. The snow came. I ventured out and the more I drove it, the more confident I came in that car’s performance. There’s no way it should have gone with those tires in the snow but it went like a bat out of hell. I soon realized I was blowing by 4x4’s with big old snow tires on, as well as by other AWD cars that we’re getting stuck. I never got stuck and was rescuing friends that were dead in the water. It was obviously the intelligent traction system doing all the work! I had never felt so confident in a car before!

But it gets better. That same weekend, I was in a long line of cars trying to get thru a snaky slightly reverse bank section of the road with a small hillside that shielded it from the sun. The light turned red and everyone had to stop. You could see the cars starting to slide off the road from the icy condition and gravity. As people started to go, those who did not have studs or chains just veered right off the road into the ditch! Even 4x4’s. And I started to slide too . I started to panic and this was going to be bad (and it’s my wife’s car)…. And then fortunately I remembered how to get to the special screen “Low Friction Launch”. Almost a goner, I hit that screen button and the hand of God or smart traction kicked in and suddenly I crawled right out of the death slide and back into the lane!!! Again, these were summer performance tires!

So just a note that some cars have truly amazing smart systems and it may save your life (or in my case saved me from my wife ax murdering me). If its something that might save my life and /or car from disaster, I’ll buy it. Some Vredesteins too, I’m good!