Balocco (Vercelli, Italy)- Front, post or integral traction? There is no doubts each kind of solution has its advantages and disadvantages, and that is why many car manufacturers are studying how to develop some other systems, to mix all advantages of each kind of traction while avoiding any limit.
In general, front traction is said to let definately an easier driving, as it allows a good driving even on slimid grounds when power is not too high (200 hp about).
But when power increases, the torque affects too much on the steering wheel, compromising the handling. As a consequence, the driver needs to decelerate on bends, mostly on hard roads. To reduce those limits, Alfa Romeo worked hard, to create a brand new self-locking differential that is expected to increase driver's satisfaction and to guarantee at the same time the benefits of a four wheel drive. It is named Q2, referring to the integral traction Q4, and it was projected to follow that ideal balance between traction and driving precision.

How self-locking differential and Q2 system work
We are in Balocco, an Italian little village near Vercelli, inside the structure used by Fiat Group's technicians to test new cars and technical solutions. Here we are just to test this new hatchback. But before starting, we want to write some words to better describe how does this new system work.
It is a Torsen self-locking front differential, all mechanical, which improves all the strong points of a front-wheel drive system in terms of active safety, increasing driving enjoyment and control. As a matter of facts, when you drive on a bend with a good side acceleration, and then you accelerate, you have a lost of adherence, which therefore reduces acceleration and compromises also the driving gear. That is why you need to decelerate, to stay safe. But in this way performances become less sporty.
On the other hand, if you are using a self-locking differential as Q2, as soon as the internal wheel starts loosing adherence on bend, there is a sursplus of friction inside the same differential, which reduces the internal wheel sliding, while at the same time improving the movements of the external one. This system presents many advantages. Firstly, the resistance of the tyre increases, and so the traction. As a result, the driver can have a higher speed on bend, and try better sports performances. In addition, this system also allows higher safety, over all on hard roads.