AWD

Why it’s important to your customers:

The 2012 CR-V gets a new system Honda calls Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System. You customer’s will like it because it provides greater efficiency and enhances safety.

It’s an electronic setup that is more fuel efficient than the CR-V’s previous mechanical AWD. It’s also quicker to distribute power from the front wheels to the rear wheels. Basically, the electronic system doesn’t wait until the front tires slip before distributing power. That benefits traction upon acceleration on both wet and dry surfaces giving your customers a better driving experience.

What to Say:

What’s so great about the new Real Time AWD? Here’s what you can say:
  • Offers better traction upon acceleration on both wet and dry surfaces.
  • Gives variable control of the clutch, which offers much more driver control and minimizes motor operation
  • Leverages electronic setup helps with fuel efficiency

What to Show:

Sometimes customer’s wait to see or feel it for themselves. Here are a few tips to help them visualize how it works:
  • Show them the AWD video
  • Use the images here to draw the situation (you can get these to print on the resources page)
  • Tell a story: describe to the customer a situation where AWD would benefit the customer. Something like a road trip that is hit by a winter storm, or a spring family outing with a downpour.

How it Works:

The new Real Time AWD still uses a multi-plate clutch, similar to the clutches used in Honda automatic transmissions, to connect the driveshaft to the rear differential. But in place of the twin hydraulic pumps and ball cam mechanism used previously, the system now uses an electric motor driving a single hydraulic pump, which operates the clutch. The electric motor is controlled by the Intelligent Control System, which means that the system can actively apportion power based on the conditions.

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System operation is completely automatic and virtually transparent in smoothness.

The Intelligent Control System function of Real Time AWD cooperates with the VSA and EPS to assist the driver in maintaining vehicle control.

For efficiency, the electric motor activating the hydraulic pump is idled when not required, further reducing drag within the system and helping to reduce energy consumption.

Compared to the previous model’s Real Time 4WD, the new Real Time AWD design weighs 17 percent less (approximately 36 pounds total system weight) and has 60 percent less rotational drag compared to the previous-generation’s Real Time 4WD system.

Unlike some four-wheel-drive systems that require the driver to select a drive mode based on the perceived need, Real Time AWD’s automatic operation means the system is always ready to transfer torque to the rear wheels, allowing the driver to focus more on driving when situations are demanding.

Thinking of your response:

How do you respond to a customer whose key purchase reasons surround AWD? Think about how you would respond to him or her? Write your answers down. Say them out loud. Practice often.

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