How Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control takes the chill out of winter driving

The Mitsubishi Outlander and Outlander PHEV sport utility vehicles have become the best-selling models in Mitsubishi’s lineup, offering up a host of exceptional features, especially in PHEV trim. But one key element that makes these seven-passenger crossovers so impressive is the Japanese brand’s Super All-Wheel Control, or S-AWC, all-wheel drive system. This unique driveline has features and traits unlike any other all-wheel drive system on the market, and it’s exclusive to the brand.

Mitsubishi is no stranger to 4WD and AWD systems. In the 1980s and 1990s, the company’s involvement in rally racing, such as the Dakar Rally and World Rally Championship (WRC), helped advance its all-wheel and four-wheel drive systems for consumers. In 2001, the company launched the All-Wheel Control (AWC) all-wheel drive system on the Lancer Evolution VII. Eventually, this would evolve into the more sophisticated S-AWC, which debuted on the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X in 2007. It is currently available on Outlander, Outlander PHEV, and Eclipse Cross.

This winter I had the chance to put S-AWC to the test while visiting Complexe ICAR in Mirabel, Quebec. Mitsubishi put journalists behind the wheel of 2024 Outlander PHEV models, equipped with Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906 winter tires. Here, we’d get to try the Outlander PHEV’s various drive modes and be accompanied by a professional driver while doing so.

The day started with a slow speed drive around a small circular, icy track. With the car in Snow mode, we maintained a speed of 20 km/h. The driving instructor would then tell us to give it full throttle. Immediately, the car’s S-AWC compensated for skidding and sliding, thanks to the mode’s programming for driving on snow. Next, we turned the mode dial to Normal mode and went through the same drill. Almost immediately, it was apparent Snow mode was much better on slippery surfaces. In Normal, the PHEV wanted to plow forward with marked understeer. When we gave it throttle, there was less control and grip.

So, what changes when you select different terrain modes? Mechanically, nothing. Rather, the S-AWC’s software provides the vehicle with different reactions to the terrain depending on the mode selected.

S-AWC has three main components. First is longitudinal torque distribution. This is how much power is sent to the front or rear wheels. Next is lateral torque vectoring, which determines how much power is sent to the left or right wheels and controls yaw. Finally, there’s four-wheel brake control, which uses the antilock braking system (ABS) and active stability control (ASC) to modulate braking at each corner. The combination of these three things forms S-AWC, and each drive mode optimizes how the car performs in various driving situations.

After a variety of laps on the circular track, it was time for an autocross course. Here, we’d navigate a track with a myriad of bends, curves, slaloms, and straightaways to showcase S-AWC’s snow performance. Again, we started in Snow mode. The Outlander PHEV felt controlled and predictable, even when pushed. The Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906 tires bit effectively into the snow and ice providing ample traction. You could feel the S-AWC actively correcting the vehicle when it’d begin to rotate or slide. Sometimes the rear wheels would compensate, other times you could feel the ASC do its thing to stop a skid.

For a second lap, we went back into Normal mode. As predicted, the car felt less controlled or confident. There was vast amounts of understeer and cornering wasn’t nearly as well coordinated. It was clear the S-AWC software makes a genuine difference in vehicle performance.

The Outlander PHEV’s drivetrain is very well suited for S-AWC, which is continually adjusting for road conditions. The gasoline engine works in conjunction with the front 85kW motor and the larger rear 100kW rear motor to send power to where it can be best utilized based on the selected drive mode. This means quick acceleration, smooth driving and 4WD performance. Outlander PHEV also has the Innovative Pedal mode, a feature typically found on EVs only. It allows for not only one-pedal acceleration, but also deceleration.

For the pièce de resistance, Kaoru Sawase, Engineering Fellow at Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Japan, gave spirited rides around the track. Sawase-San, the Godfather of S-AWC, knows the program inside and out because he helped develop it. In fact, earlier in the day he and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation C-Segment Chief Vehicle Engineer, Kentaro Honda, gave a highly technical presentation showcasing in-depth ins and outs about S-AWC.

On the track, Sawase-San put the proof in the pudding. After getting into the car with him, he put the Outlander PHEV into Gravel mode, pressed a few other buttons, then gave a nod. Our White Diamond hybrid SUV leapt off the line like a rally car, and he slid it into corners as if he was out to win a race, all with precise control. We drifted around sweeping turns and made quick direction changes with skilled excellence. He truly knew how to get the most out of this all-wheel drive system. After all, he helped pioneer it.

As we pulled into the paddock, I had a wide grin on my face; it was almost as wide as Sawase-San’s.

It was clear Mitsubishi’s S-AWC system isn’t simply marketing hype. Rather, it’s a highly technical system with detailed computer-control that can be adapted to a variety of terrain. In a practical sense, S-AWC provides increased confidence in foul weather, surefootedness on dirt or gravel, and helps keep drivers and occupants safe and comfortable in any terrain.

Admittedly, S-AWC also makes the twin-motor Outlander PHEV more fun to drive than one might expect. With immediate torque from the hybrid drivetrain and excellent driving dynamics thanks to thoughtful chassis tuning and the brilliance that is S-AWC, you have not only a versatile seven-seat PHEV crossover, but one that’s also entertaining to drive on just about any road surface.

But it’s not just about entertainment; it’s about safety and confidence. And with seven different drive modes (Normal, Tarmac, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Power, and Eco), there’s a setting for pretty much every situation. So, whether it’s a trip to the grocery store, or a week-long adventure, S-AWC helps to offer some of the best traction, stability, and handling of any all-wheel drive vehicle on the market today.