Straightline - Electronic four-wheel steering Renault Laguna GT

Electronic four-wheel steering Renault Laguna GT

Four-wheel-steering seems to pop up every now and then, and then disappears. Honda offered it on the Prelude for a while, and more recently it was offered on the full-size GM pickups and SUVs. Frankly, I think it's a great idea, especially for large vehicles like a pickup truck, as the turning circle was cut down to almost that of a small car. That's a huge benefit when maneuvering those beasts. There are other examples too; I've seen some lawn tractors with this feature. The problem, however, was the cost and complexity were just too much for customers to stomach. It's a shame, really.

Now Renault will offer four-wheel steering on the Renault Laguna GT, but this time it's electric, not mechanical. Will they succeed where others have failed?

Full story here.

Posted by Bob Apr 10, 2008 4:00 am

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Categories: Renault

Comments

ateixeira - Apr 10, 2008 6:23 am (#1 Total: 3)

Recife, PE, Brazil

Mazda also offered a system on the MX-6 GT, IIRC.

The GM one cost something like $2 grand. That's way too much. I wonder what this will cost from Renault.

autoboy16 - Apr 10, 2008 2:36 pm (#2 Total: 3)

Fl USA

The saab 9-3 has a mild 4ws system

estreka - Apr 11, 2008 1:49 pm (#3 Total: 3)

subarctic north - Great Falls, MT

I like the idea of a low-speed AWS system (sub 20mph), but I never liked the high speed setup.

For those that aren't aware of the system, at low speeds the rear tires would turn opposite the front tires (resulting in a tighter arc). But when the vehicle reached a certain speed (usually 20mph) the rear wheels would turn parallel with the front tires, resulting in a strafe motion.

The low speed application is great for all the benefits Bob stated. But the high speed system gives me the jitters because you're suddenly shifting the momentum of the car in a different direction. I felt awfully pensive in my buddy's VR-4 because of this.