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After seeing the other thread about the XWD Aero, I called the nearest dealer and, sure enough, one had just arrived. So I took it for a spin in rain soaked Wilmington, DE, figuring the wet weather would be a nice test of the XWD.
Despite the automatic transmission, I came away very impressed. The power delivery is strong, and path control is superior to the FWD version. A couple of times, I floored it making right angle turns coming away from stops, and the car just powered through with zero torque steer. Same thing laying the power down through sweepers -- in the wet, no less. Just point, and shoot. The power transfer to the rear wheels is seamless, and the XWD works well with the excellent steering.
Like many AWD systems, this one raises the vehicle height slightly relative to a FWD Aero. The salesman pointed this out, and said he could feel it getting in and out of the car. It's probably three quarters of an inch higher. Unfortunately, this produces slightly more body float over undulations than the FWD Aero (or a 2009 Acura TSX), but it's still way more buttoned down than the unacceptably soft 2.0T. It's comparable to my 2001 9-5 Aero in this respect, yet has a much smoother ride, so overall ride/handling balance is superior. It isn't as razor sharp as hard core sport sedans, but the handling is still excellent, and well within my demands for an entertaining daily driver. And the extra suspension travel has its advantages on the cratered-out roads in Phildelphia, where I live.
If I go this route, I'll wait for the electronic limited slip, which the salesman said should be available in 2009 models this fall.
posted by 147.31.153...
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