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The 1980s were an incredibly distinctive era for the car industry. As manufacturers emerged from the Malaise Era, numerous new technologies or features were experimented in unexpected areas. Witness this MotorWeek test comparing cars equipped with all-wheel drive from 1987, showcasing a range from a small sedan to a rear-engine minivan.
Apart from the Civic, all other nameplates from this assessment have vanished, albeit Subaru’s modern equivalent still exists. It’s fascinating to observe the abundance of compact cars that offered an all-wheel drive choice back then, a rarity in today’s market excluding Subaru and a couple of other exceptional models..
Honda emerged in the test with a third-gen Civic Wagon, presenting itself as a compact MPV. MotorWeek highlighted the Civic Wagon’s exceptional capacity to transport people and their belongings effortlessly. Accommodating five adults and substantial luggage with ease, it was equipped with a 1.5-liter inline-4 engine generating 72 horsepower paired with a six-speed manual gearbox, the only available transmission option for the Wagon. Torque was transmitted through an all-wheel-drive system with an aggressive coupling. Despite some extra ground clearance, the absence of a limited-slip differential meant it was unsuitable for tackling even mild off-road trails.
MotorWeek pitted a Vanagon equipped with the Syncro all-wheel-drive system generously offered by Volkswagen, providing the Vanagon with slightly bigger tires and an additional inch of ground clearance. The Syncro system facilitated power transfer between the front and rear axles, a notable feature at the time, achieved through a wet viscous coupling able to detect wheel slippage. The Vanagon was optionally available with a locking rear differential, enhancing its off-road capabilities compared to the other tested cars.
The Mercury Topaz was an anomaly in the comparison, mainly due to the rarity of the all-wheel-drive option for both the Topaz and its Ford Tempo sibling. Only accessible from 1987 to 1991, opting for all-wheel drive on the Topaz and Tempo equipped them with a high-output four-cylinder engine and an all-wheel-drive system consisting of a two-part driveshaft. Activating a vacuum-actuated switch on the dashboard connected the transmission to the driveshaft through a sliding clutch collar, engaging the rear-mounted limited-slip differential for all-wheel drive. Ford considered this system challenging to engineer, cautioning that it was strictly for “dirt roads or adverse weather conditions on pavement.” MotorWeek discovered that the system delivered exceptional traction on wet rural paths.
The remaining two vehicles in the evaluation, the Subaru and Audi, were from brands experienced with all-wheel drive systems. The Subaru GL-10 utilized a full-time four-wheel-drive configuration with a lockable center differential, enhancing the car’s handling according to Subaru. Paired with a turbocharged 1.8-liter engine, the GL-10 achieved the 2nd fastest acceleration at 10.3 seconds to 60 mph in the test, though this was relatively modest. The Audi 5000 CS Quattro claimed the top spot. Its turbocharged 2.2-liter inline-5 engine and Quattro all-wheel-drive system resulted in a swift 9.5-second 0-to-60-mph sprint. Quattro emerged as the most sophisticated AWD solution in the assessment. A dashboard switch enabled drivers to lock the center and rear differentials, enhancing traction on slippery surfaces like wet roads or more challenging terrains such as mud or snow.
Regrettably, all these vehicles are now consigned to history. Factors like pricing and consumer preferences have rendered unique all-wheel-drive models like these exceedingly scarce nowadays. Thankfully, MotorWeek’s Retro Reviews remain to remind us of the automotive marvels we once enjoyed.
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