Super Select
Super Select is the brand name of a four-wheel drive system produced by Mitsubishi Motors, used worldwide except for North America, where it was initially known as Active-Trac. It was first introduced in 1991 with the then-new second generation of the Mitsubishi Pajero.[1]
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.[2] In 2H mode the front axle is disconnected and the vehicle is rear-wheel drive. Reduced frictional losses in the drivetrain mean that fuel economy improves while noise levels are reduced.[2] 4H is a part-time four-wheel drive mode using a viscous 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.[3] 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.[3]
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 the torque-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.[3]
References
- ^ "History of Mitsubishi, 1990–1999", Mitsubishi Motors web museum
- ^ a b "Super Select 4WD II", Mitsubishi Motors website
- ^ a b c "Super Select", Mitsubishi Motors UK website