As you know, the outside wheels travel faster and further than the inside wheels through a curve, thereby entitling them to a lager slice of the torque pie. The benefit may feel subtle to the average driver but the principle is sound nonetheless.
Throughout my time behind my tester’s wheel, I appreciated its stable composed ride dynamics, especially on the highway where it really shines. The vehicle felt “nailed down” and secure at speed. Its steering was precise and immediately reactive but also relaxing enough to avoid the “twitchiness” that can creep into cat-like setups.
If there’s a knock against the underpinnings of the TL SH-AWD, it would pertain to ride quality. I would have welcomed a slight relaxation of the stiffness that fortifies the car’s superb athleticism.
Maybe it’s a middle-age guy thing, but I would rather be spoiled by a little more ride diplomacy than the ability to outturn an F18 fighter jet. That’s a personal thing though, and I’m sure there are many that would prefer the latter—and I can’t blame them, it’s all part of the TL’s exhilaration factor.
SH-AWD, the final word
As luck would have it, Eastern Canada’s snow ended up in Western Canada during my last few days with the 2011 TL SH-AWD. Here again, the AWD capability of my tester proved its mettle but from a completely different perspective.
The TL SH-AWD is a distinctive performance sedan that inspires and exhilarates. It’s also a practical vehicle that supplies plenty of room and comfort, plus traction to pull its way through someone else’s weather pattern!
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| This sedan is a practical vehicle that supplies plenty of room and comfort. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |
Throughout my time behind my tester’s wheel, I appreciated its stable composed ride dynamics, especially on the highway where it really shines. The vehicle felt “nailed down” and secure at speed. Its steering was precise and immediately reactive but also relaxing enough to avoid the “twitchiness” that can creep into cat-like setups.
If there’s a knock against the underpinnings of the TL SH-AWD, it would pertain to ride quality. I would have welcomed a slight relaxation of the stiffness that fortifies the car’s superb athleticism.
Maybe it’s a middle-age guy thing, but I would rather be spoiled by a little more ride diplomacy than the ability to outturn an F18 fighter jet. That’s a personal thing though, and I’m sure there are many that would prefer the latter—and I can’t blame them, it’s all part of the TL’s exhilaration factor.
SH-AWD, the final word
As luck would have it, Eastern Canada’s snow ended up in Western Canada during my last few days with the 2011 TL SH-AWD. Here again, the AWD capability of my tester proved its mettle but from a completely different perspective.
The TL SH-AWD is a distinctive performance sedan that inspires and exhilarates. It’s also a practical vehicle that supplies plenty of room and comfort, plus traction to pull its way through someone else’s weather pattern!
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