While in Austria during the JCW Countryman preview, I had a chance to spend some time with Heinz Krusche, the head engineer for BMW’s Driving Dynamics devision. Driving Dynamics is the group responsible for the DSC, DTC, xDrive and All4 systems for both BMW and MINI. Much of the press event was about experiencing MINI’s All4 system on the snowy mountain roads of Austria. While previewing the JCW Countryman prototype, Herr Krusche gave me a full run-down on how the system works and just when the rear wheels are pitching in to do their part. Turns out, the system works a little bit differently than we’d previously been told. Originally, MINI’s All4 system was explained to us as being FWD first, then AWD on-demand as a traction control aid. Apparently, this was not entirely accurate. While yes, up to 50% of the engine’s power can be diverted to the rear wheels, the system actually defaults to AWD from the get go, not FWD. Similar to BMW’s Xdrive system, which defaults to a 70/30 split rear to front and is able to divert 100% of power to the rear wheels, All4 starts at 50/50 and is able to re-allocate up to 100% of power back to the front wheels. It’s a subtle difference, but has pretty profound ramifications on our understanding of the system. I clarified this with Heinz two separate times just to make sure we weren’t getting stuck in a language barrier. Each time he was insistent. The system defaults to AWD.[...] MotoringFile