[raj_5004]

Originally Posted by anupmathur

MileCruncher, that's how it is: Once you engage the 4WD mode and the front hubs lock into place, they will not automatically withdraw on getting back into 2WD mode, although the DRIVE to the front wheels is cut off.
To dis-engage the front hubs you need to reverse a metre or two and then proceed ahead again.

this is the case with every vehicle having auto locking hubs, isnt it?

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by raj_5004

this is the case with every vehicle having auto locking hubs, isnt it?

No Raj, some vehicles have hubs that retract automatically when you switch to 2WD mode! I think the Gypsy is that kind. Or maybe the hubs stay engaged in a gypsy?

[tanwaramit]

Coming back to the question, Scorpio A/T, anyone ?

( I too am looking for some ownership reviews on the same)

[Roshun]

Originally Posted by MileCruncher

Didn't understand this bit. Roshun mind explaining please

@MileCruncher: The front hubs in the 4x4 Scorp are "auto locking hubs". When you are in normal 2wd mode, the front wheels just spin freely, without turning the front drive shafts, differential or propeller shaft. However, when you engage 4wd, the front hubs lock into place, thereby allowing the drive shafts to transmit power to the front wheels. But when you switch back to 2wd, these hubs remain locked - and the front drive shafts, propeller shaft and differential continue to spin, even though there is no drive input from the transfer case. This causes a bit of drag on the transmission (and may reduce FE a bit). In the Scorp, to unlock them, you need to back up about a couple of metres to free them. They operate on a kind of spring-loaded mechanism.

The mechanism is the same in the Safari.

@Anup: In the new Gypsy MG413W's they are permanently locked in place. The older MG410s had manual free-wheeling hubs (don't know why they did away with them - they are very useful).

I think the Endy has switch on the dash to unlock the front hubs. Endy owners please elaborate.

Back to topic of AT/4wd Mhawk: The M&M Axe that was developed for a foreign army is an automatic and has the same Borg Warner transfercase. So theoretically it's easy for M&M to do the same with the Mhawk. But just how many will they sell? 1,2? Not worth the effort for the likely volume - so highly unlikely that they will do it.

If you have some clout in M&M, you could try getting a made-to-order one.
Personally, I still prefer a manual 4wd, but will choose an automatic as a pure city car any day (especially useful in bumper-to-bumper situations).

Cheers,

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by anupmathur

Or maybe the hubs stay engaged in a gypsy?

Originally Posted by Roshun

@Anup: In the new Gypsy MG413W's they are permanently locked in place. The older MG410s had manual free-wheeling hubs (don't know why they did away with them - they are very useful).

Roshun, thanks for the clarification.
However, even the old MG410W had hubs that were permanently locked in place.

[Roshun]

Originally Posted by anupmathur

Roshun, thanks for the clarification.
However, even the old MG410W had hubs that were permanently locked in place.

Yeah, some engineering feat that Maruti couldn't pull off with the Ws (wide-track Gypsies). Sorry, I meant the earlier narrow-track MG410 (1986 to 1993 I think). Don't know if it was just a cost issue for them.

Cheers,

[NewKyD]

i called the scorpio dealer here in chennai, he said a manual 4wd mhawk can be made to order. beyond that he did not give any details regarding price etc.

[4x4addict]

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

Koncept Safdarjang, New Delhi's salesperson Danish (9999010114) says a Scorpio A/T 4WD will be coming in for delivery to a customer on order in 10 days' time. He's supposed to call me over for a TD then. Will keep you posted about this.

Did they call you back? Is there an A/T with 4WD?

[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by 4x4addict

Did they call you back? Is there an A/T with 4WD?

No call back yet. Will visit them next week and find out. Too tied up this week to go visit them.

[vishwaschettri]

Originally Posted by Roshun

I think the Endy has switch on the dash to unlock the front hubs. Endy owners please elaborate.

You are right, that is how it is in Endeavor.

cheers
vishwas

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by 4x4addict

Did they call you back? Is there an A/T with 4WD?

There is no Scorpio, Auto Transmission, with 4WD option yet.

[gowda79]

The Scorpio A/T 4WD is yet to be released and you can see the pictures of the same somewhere on this forum posted by PARM which was taken while doing the shoot for advertisement.

[tanwaramit]

Originally Posted by gowda79

The Scorpio A/T 4WD is yet to be released and you can see the pictures of the same somewhere on this forum posted by PARM which was taken while doing the shoot for advertisement.

Not sure if that shoot was for the facelifted scorpio or AT 4WD. But hope that the facelifted version comes up by March.

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by gowda79

The Scorpio A/T 4WD is yet to be released and you can see the pictures of the same somewhere on this forum posted by PARM which was taken while doing the shoot for advertisement.

IIRC, that is not an auto tranny and most importantly, it is the PETROL engined version!

[bhogalrajnish]

Well my first hand experience with snow in Himachal is that a 4x4 defenately has an advantage as one of the wheels will get you the push in case all others are strugling for grip in the snow. If you can lock the difrencial like in the Gypsy it gives you even more advantage.

Originally Posted by anupmathur

Would beg to disagree there, Samurai!
4WD has substantial benefit in snow, though Low Ratio might work against you at times.
More SUVs might go off the road for the reason you mentioned: overconfidence!