33 Station Wagon Question

[Rory Sutherland]

I was looking around the web the other day at what 33 station wagons are like and i came across a sentence which puzzled me. It regards the 4WD system in them and it said as follows:

"The power driven to the rear axle is continuously variable from 0 to 100%, so the car can be fully front- or rear-wheel-drive as conditions require"

now don't have a huge knowledge on car mechanics but it sounds like to me that it says the 33 station wagons can be front wheel drive and rear wheel drive. Could someone please clarify this sentence up for me

[philpot]

Hi Rory,

As far as I know, and i'm open to be contradicted if i'm wrong, the 4wd system has to be engaged via a lever/switch in the lower centre console.
Also, as theres no centre differential to apportion drive, I'd reckon the claim of 'variable' drive to either end is wishfull thinking or salesman speak. That sentence sounds more appropriate for a Honda CRV or the like with an 'on demand' or torsen differential drive to the rear type setup.

Its either front wheel drive or even split all wheel drive. From what was written when they came out, the 4x4 system, because of the lack of centre diff, was only meant to be used in wet/slippery conditions to prevent windup between the front and rear drives...ie to allow slippage.

There are a few 33 4x4 wagon owners on here, so I'm sure they can give you 1st hand info.

Cheers, Phil.

[ChrisGTA]

My recollection (from when I was looking to buy one many years ago...) was that it had an electronic centre-diff that defaulted to 95%:5% F:R but could swing further to the rear but only up to (say) 50:50. 

This meant it always behaved like a FWD, just with greater accelerative traction (contrast to say a Subaru STI that from memory can get to 30%:70% and therefore can behave like a RWD in certain circumstances).

Just had a look - some interesting technical info here:

http://alfaromeo33.extra.hu/pdf/33_p4_switch.pdf

[Sheldon McIntosh]

RWD 33

[aggie57]

Don't get confused between the 4x4 wagons and the Permanent 4 sedans.  Different system.

[ChrisGTA]

Good point Aggie - you're right that I'm thinking of the P4 rather than switchable 4x4.

Rory - here is some info from the 33 manual:

p41/42 - user instructions contrasting 4x4 v P4

p89 - diagrams comparing propshaft coupling on the 4x4 v P4

http://alfaromeo33.extra.hu/pdf/owners_manual_sportwagon_93.pdf

[Rory Sutherland]

Thanks all, any questions i had about the 4WD system has now been cleared up