Evo X 2014 GSR owner here. Turn off traction control and AYC brake. Floor it into corners, when in doubt. Flat out. Amazing. I really want to have this car until it dies, giving it up would make a small part of me die. It is just so god damn fun. Terrible on fuel, feel every bump in the road, still love it.

I had an Evo X and I was always amazed by the AWD system. Ok, mine was lowered, had 1" wider wheels & tyres, and some Whiteline suspension bits. BUT, it always blew my mind! It also scared the p00p out of unsuspecting passengers LMAO. In heavy rain, I drove in 'gravel' mode, and she was STUCK to the road. The Pirelli P Zero Rosso's also helped. I really miss that car.

Nice fast and furious reference lol!

Great Video! I hate how these facts are well known in the Evo community but other people keep saying random stuff about. When I saw your Evo review, I was a bit disappointed because you of all the people got it wrong....so thanks for clearing it all up in this video. MMC actually publishes papers in their tech reports. I'd like to add a few things. 1. Since you draw that 2nd diagram, you probably know that all the complexity is happening in the front axle. This is obviously cause by the Evo being based on a FWD Lancer with a transverse-mounted engine. Because of this, you get the hilarious turning radius in the Evo. 2. The S-AWC computer is desperate from the main ECU. Again cost reasons with the base Lancer production line probably. 3. You didn't talk about all the sensor in the car. G sensors, wheel speed, gear, wheel angle..etc. Which is what controlsthe S-AWC computer that controls the AYC and ACD. That I think is the heart of the system. They actually started out with being able to control the power in each four wheels. It worked for track time but everyone who drove it felt uncomfortable and in term induce less confident. This ACD + AYC set up together with the tuning of the S-AWC computer, in my opinion the beauty of the Evo X and why I ended up getting it. 4. I believe if you go through the manual of the Evo, Mitsubishi claims the stability control is part of the S-AWC system. There is actually something call AYC-braking (which is on top of the normal AYC system) that helps cornering by apply brakes on individual wheels. You can disable it but requires holding the ASC button for two seconds.

Another reason the Evo is miles ahead of anything subaru! Oh and the Evo is hands down reliable unlike a Subaru!

A very through explanation. The Evo has arguably the most advanced sport-oriented AWD in the world, too bad Mitsubishi doesn't apply the technology across their lineup & the fact the Evo is going to disappear by 2016. If your local Mitsu dealer has a Evo X Final Edition sitting on the lot, take it and run. It will be a guarantee future classic

This is a really amazing amount of work and technology. I can barely even absorb how it all works yet Mitubishi freaking BUILT it to be reliable and efficient enough to sell it as a consumer car. Cars are so awesome.

that's mitsubishi engineering, pioneers of advance technology across the globe.

Your previous comments helped undermine the car. And most of the viewers never watched this video. The evo deserves another review.(manual/final edition maybe)

Thanks for giving EVO some love ! always wanted to know how my S-AWC work ! now i know

Much better explanation than the first time around, and you've even cleared up some misconceptions I had about my own car. Appreciate the video, and effort dedicated to the presentation. Keep it up, and I'll be sure to keep tuning in!

Evo is God of awd

This is the best video yet, awesome explaination, thanks.

I always keep coming back to this video. You've done such a great job, Jason, of visualizing how things work from a mechanical perspective. Do keep up the good work, even though I selfishly regret that there's hardly anything left of Mitsubishi on the performance front to expect videos about Mitsubishi on your channel. Nonetheless, the S-AWC system that Mitsubishi put in place in the Evo is such a cut above so many others' systems in that it pioneered the design in the Evo IX (ACD) and X (ACD+AYC), and it's still one of the best TV systems out there. It's such a shame that inept leadership at Mitsubishi doesn't seem to get how to properly market this thing. Alas, though the budget S-AWCs in the Outlander family (w/c includes the Eclipse Cross) is but a fraction of what this "full" S-AWC system can do, it's still something. It still puts a smile on my face whenever I talk to people about how there is NO braking involved in engaging the rear AYC clutch packs for the Evo. And how all it does is truly coax power to one axle like a mechanical diff would. It's why friends just go aghast with the fact that, compared to a Subie or Ford, you really just have to step on the friggin' accelerator to get back in control in an apex. So unreal. It's insanely counterintuitive - but that's the Mitsubishi that gearheads love (and miss). True shame what they've done to themselves.

The only thing that is not made loud and clear is that THE EVO X ON A HARD TURN CAN MAKE IT'S OUTSIDE REAR WHEEL TURN FASTER THEN THE OTHER WHEELS. IT IS ONE OF VERY FEW CARS IN HISTORY THAT DO THIS. OTHER CARS LIKE THE SUBARU STI USE BRAKES TO TRY TO ACHIEVE THE SAME HANDLING CHARACTERISTIC BUT TO NO AVAIL. THUS THE EVO HAS GREATER HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS. @EngineeringExplained LET PEOPLE KNOW.

Top right diagram is on point, this confuses so many people, one of the best explanations and diagrams that I've seen. I do love how they have literally 3 axles spinning concentrically on the same axis, looks funky when you pull them down :) The one thing you left out is that both the center ACD and rear AYC diff pressure is variable. This affects both the ACD driving mode and for the AYC based on how hard you are turning around a corner etc.

Man, you can explain this complex systems with such simple words. Awesome class!

One of the best videos you've made in my opinion Jason, very well done!

The quality of your videos is amazing. So informative and helpful. Thank you

I own a Evo X and thanks for explaining it so well!

Saw that new 2024 GTR has a front LSD so now I'm going back watching all your old videos with the evo, gtr and Subaru to relearn how all the systems work haha. Great videos as always bruh!!! Very informative

Wonderfully instructive video, Jason. I learn a lot from your channel. Please keep them coming!

Very neat explanation. Something to add is when the differentials are locked they restrict differences in drivetrain speed so that the wheels rotate at the same rate or some rate between open and full lock, if there is allowable slip. Only the AYC can direct torque between wheels.

This is awesome! Thanks for doing the follow-up video!

Man you've come a long way with these videos.. Awesome

This video was amazing. Everything I wanted to know I know now. Thanks

Great Video, I don't know how you keep a straight face with the humor, well done.

The S-AWC is an amazing engineering achievement, but in the long term, it's going to be a major headache because of it's complexity, as maintenance will require us to replace 5 clutch packs (for the MR, SST gearbox). As long as Mitsubishi provides us replacement parts, we're good, because no one else is going to manufacture these components, because THIS IS THE ONLY CAR OF ITS KIND!

I love this video. Obviously more so because I own an Evo X. But I really hope you continue more videos like this for others cars as well. Maybe even add pros and cons of a car's drivetrain. Like I think with the Evo's system it hurts transitions back and forth during a slalom. But yes, AWESOME video.

Excellent video

I am really glad I found this channel. Very informative thank you very much.

really good video love the more technical topics and drawings

Great video, great drivetrain!

always enjoy your informative videos. thank u

the best video explain S-AWC system

+Engineering Explained thanks for making this video. I commented a while back on how AYC works

This video blew my mind. awesome

cool man. awesome video. i love you. i understand a little more how the AWD on my Evo works now, though I am still confused about some of the concepts like center diff lock up etc

Thanks for doing this.

do you have to change the clutch pack in the rear diff after a while?

Great visuals! Nicely done. If you have a chance, please describe the X-drive system used by BMW in a future video. Thanks!

Great video! When its out, please make a video on the awd system in the 2016 Focus RS.

Great info, thanks

You should also do a similar video on the 2016 Ford Focus RS' AWD system at some point. It also has a rather curious ("twinster") solution that's different from the rest.

i need to take a evo and the track to experience this system first hand! what a clever system

thank you for the video. i understand now

Great vid, thank you very much!

Good job man!

Would you explain how laser ignition systems work, including the pros and cons of them?

Very good explanation, Thank You so much.

That's alot of gearing for the power to transfer. Btw, good job explaining, the diagrams are also excellent.

"Rear of car sticking off the cliff"...." common scenario"?! We're lucky to have had you around as long as we have. :)

Very informative video, thanks for the effort and explanation. Evo X's FTW! ;)

Can you also suggest reference readings as well? Great video btw. very informative.

Really nice video, I now feel a bit smarter :)

upvote for dropping the knowledge

~500 likes vs 0 dislikes? You are good, Jason!

Does the clutch packedge lock by an electronic intervention ?

What if we turn off the ayc? does it lock the center and the back both?

Have this ever been tested? I can't seem to find any videos with the Evo x on rollers

Should I leave ayc on or turn it off for snow drifting?

used on outlander models minus gravel mode. runs awd all the time in normal vs most are fwd most of the time until slips.

Thanks so much for making this! But I did have a question as to why during hard cornering, the AWC graphic on the dash lights up as (in the case of a left turn) front right tire, rear left tire. Why is it also sending torque to that rear left tire. My physics teacher said it just has something to do with the length of travel of each tire during the turn, but she said it was only a guess.

Nice video Jason, On my 13 Legacy 3.6 R torque is split 45 front and 55 rear, and can go 50/50... but even then it was hard to find out what the system really does, the dealers out here in Sac are clueless as if it's magical AWD. I wished manufactures would explain things as well as you do, Thank you for making awesome videos.

I’d like to know what steering angle the diff locks up and snow gravel tarmac, like what’s the real sic difference?

do the 8 and 9's have the same awd system?

Thank you !!! 🙏🏻

awesome explanation :D will you be doing one on Subarus soon?

Good video

you should do a dedicated video of how the STI's awd system works and why the rind lands have been breaking so badly for so many years

Nice video! Will you be making the same kind of video for the awd system in the STI?

Should do one for the STI awd system too

Regarding the first example you give: If you're trying to accelerate in a straight line, how much of a problem is it to have a power disparity between the right side and the left? Wouldn't the car veer in the direction of the slippery patch? What happens if you're cornering and the outside wheels go over some ice, would the diffs lock up and send you wide?

Can someone clarify this risk of transmission case / diff damage please ?! (there are mixed opinions and comments) .... When you do the MOT brake test, and it puts the Evo X on rollers, does it need the other axle to spin freely on some rollers or not ? Last technician today said they know what they are doing and the roller tester is for 4x4 vehicles including, AND since they only spin one wheel at a time then it will NOT send power to the other axle (e.g rear wheels stay fixed when spinning front left or right wheel). I know the car cannot be towed by lifting just front or just back (just all wheel on a flatbed platform).

Great explanation. you have really done your research well (y) also very understandable and amusing (trying to save brian :D ) way of presenting the information

What to a select a used evo or a used sti with the ej207 + 6 sti ? hard to choose. I'm not bias, and I don't see any data to suggest problems with either cars. I own a WRX and it's stock with a anti lift kit + rear sway bar. Personalty i like to keep my cars for a long time too, I also swing my own spanners.

nicely explained how about the GTR?

Can you do a video on the a45s 4maitc+ awd system?

could you do a video on Acura's SH-AWD and explain the difference between it and the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system like the one in the rlx possibly the NSX Thank you. love the videos keep up the good work.

please please help me . . . having driven an evo 4 and knowing i prefer it to audis and subaru and also knowing audi have now changed their awd system to what appears to be similar to the bmw xdrive would it be wise to think the x drive comparable to the Evo ? and keep it reasonable im only simple

Great break-down! kicked myself for not having notifications for your channel turned on. I missed this by 2 weeks. Now would you be willing to do one on the WRX and STis awd system? Thats a system I know very little about . Even after spending a half an hour reading one of the Subbie forums. No pictures or diagrams so it wasnt as easy to picture. Thanks for digging up the info and getting this video out.

can you do the same for the nissan gtr r35?

can you make a video on sti dccd plz

Try and make one on the Sti! So much information in 11 min. D:

How this Mitsubishi ACD compares with the new Toyota GR Four?

Is it possible to modify the Haldex system to make it more like this? There are alot of really good cars out there with Haldexes, but they are almost undrivable from a stand still on a snowy / icy incline. Basically in Colorado, you could have alot of Jeeps, Subarus, and Audis parked on a hill, the Jeeps and Subarus leave, but the Audis can't go anywhere. The only automatic AWD car I can find with five gears or more under $10,000 is the Volvo S40 / V50 and those almost can't drive. The Ralliart is too much.

I'm sorry for not understand but simply put from all the torque the engine produces only 50% max goes to the rear wheels, otherwise it stays 100% fwd correct?

good info

Very clever stuff indeed. Do you know if the system is able to partially lock the centre diff as opposed to having it either open or locked? Big respect for the team who developed the software to control that type of drivetrain.

Would this be the same setup for the regular AWD 2012+ Lancer with "normal" AWC? Besides the difference of AYC in the rear diff being only on the S-AWC cars?

You are a genius

how quickly can these actions happen, sending power to the wheels with most traction. for instance if an evo is rallying and its on gravel going around a corner uneven road surfaces to much speed which ever the case and you have one of the front wheels lift/ hop for example.

If I could give this video more thumbs up I would

What about the AWC for the lower trim Lancers/RVR/Outlander? Is it essentially the same idea minus the AYC, the % of torque split, and different settings for the drive mode?

so this AWC is controlled electronically?

So I have a question, will after market wheels damage the suspension and in doing so are you voiding the warranty? Say the OEM wheels are 18" and I replace them with 20" wheels will there be any damage to the suspension?

If this is true then why does it understeer on corners if you get on the power too early?

I just bought Evo X 2014 Mr and I've noticed that the light of AWC blnk sometimes

If you ever in the Uk, your welcome to come take my Evo VI GSR for a spin and do a review!

How does tractor trailer awd work?