Quaife Engineering launches Automatic Torque Biasing differential for ‘hot’ 5-speed manual transmission Alfa Romeo and Fiat models

Quaife Engineering launches Automatic Torque Biasing differential for `hot' 5-speed manual transmission Alfa Romeo and Fiat models

• New high performance UK produced Automatic Torque Biasing (ATB) based on well proven helical gear design from ISO9001 approved manufacturer

• Requires no modifications for installation, works in harmony with factory electronic traction control and stability systems, maintenance free in operation

• Fitments include; Alfa Romeo 156 2000, Alfa Romeo 147 2000, Alfa Romeo 145 2000, Alfa Romeo 146 1800, Alfa Romeo 155 2000, Fiat Tipo 2000 16-valve, Fiat Bravo HGT, Fiat Coupe (non-turbo,) Fiat Uno Turbo 1372 (1988 onwards,) Fiat Punto HGT 1.8 and Fiat Punto GT using five speed manual transmissions

• Priced at £535.00 excluding VAT, limited lifetime warranty included*

• Contact Quaife Engineering on 0845 130 7400 info@quaife.co.uk or log onto www.quaife.co.uk for further information and images

UK based Quaife Engineering has launched a new version of its Automatic Torque Biasing (ATB) differential, designed for `hot' versions of Alfa Romeo and Fiat cars running five speed manual gearboxes. These include favourites such as the Twin Spark variants of the Alfa Romeo 147 and 156, as well as the Fiat Punto HGT, plus the ever popular Uno Turbo and Punto GT turbo variants.

These Fiats and Alfa Romeos respond readily to tuning and tend to attract an enthusiastic following, but suffer from wheelspin and understeer during spirited driving, even in standard form. Adding extra torque and horsepower from engine tuning only serves to make matters worse, as too often this newly found urge simply can't be used effectively. In these situations managing traction becomes a high priority and a high performance Quaife ATB differential is an excellent solution.

Unlike a traditional `clutch plate' differential the Quaife ATB utilises a well proven system of helical gears to seamlessly transfer power across the driven axle to the wheel experiencing the most grip. It achieves this without the snatch, jerkiness or mechanical noise associated with traditional `locking' plate style limited slip differentials.

Even better the Alfa Romeo / Fiat Quaife ATB is a `fit and forget' maintenance free traction management solution, unlike a `plate style' limited slip differential, which will need rebuilding at regular intervals. Plus the Quaife ATB is a direct swap for the standard Alfa Romeo / Fiat factory `open' differential, so no modifications are required during fitting.

The Quaife Automatic Torque Biasing differential - the dynamic advantages

The Quaife ATB offers a number of performance benefits over the factory `open' differential, helping to extend the vehicle's dynamic envelope and increase driving enjoyment.

For example, during hard cornering with a traditional `open' style differential the unladen inside wheel is prone to wheelspin, while minimal torque is transferred or `biased' to the heavily laden outside wheel, due to the design of factory OEM unit. In the same situation the Quaife ATB biases the engine's torque from the unladen inside tyre to the outside wheel that's benefiting from the most grip, reducing wheelspin, cutting understeer and enabling faster, safer cornering. As such, it also helps to avoid activating the vehicle's electronic traction control and stability systems, further increasing driver involvement in the cornering process.

Additionally, during heavy braking into a bend when the car is pushed into a potential oversteering attitude, the Quaife ATB's ability to bias the torque split in favour of the wheel with the most grip enables easy control and stabilisation of the car with minimal steering input. This helps to reduce oversteer during hard motoring and also delays activation of the vehicle's electronic stability systems.

Finally in low grip conditions - such as damp tarmac or standing water - the Quaife ATB differential actively channels the engine's torque to the wheel enjoying the most grip, reducing wheelspin away from a standing start, or for example, when exiting a bend at low speed. This not only improves the point to point performance of the car during spirited driving, it again helps reduce the frustrating intrusion of the car's electronic traction control still further, transforming the handling of the car for the better.

Quaife Automatic Torque Biasing differential - quality materials and precision

Specially selected European sourced steel billets. Highly accurate computer controlled machining facilities. Constant inspection using the finest co-ordinate measuring equipment. The latest in 3D Solidworks design packages. Add forty years of transmission design experience to the mix and it's easy to see why a Quaife ATB differential is a byword for quality and reliability, so much so that Quaife is proud to offer a limited lifetime warranty on all its ATB units and the new Alfa Romeo / Fiat unit is no exception.

Quaife ATB availability and pricing

The new Quaife ATB differential for Alfa Romeo / Fiat cars using five speed manual transmissions is available now, direct from Quaife or via our network of Quaife agents, priced at £530.00 plus VAT, part number QDH2K. Contact Quaife Engineering on 0845 130 7400 or log onto www.quaife.co.uk for further information.

*Subject to Terms and Conditions

PRESS RELEASE ENDS

Notes to editors:

Quaife Engineering Ltd is a UK based ISO 9001 approved company, specialising in the design and manufacture of advanced transmission components for both motorsport and road use. Operating from two sites in Sevenoaks and Gillingham in Kent, Quaife's OEM clients include the Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Daimler-Chrysler and Toyota. Over 70% of Quaife Engineering's production is exported to a rapidly expanding global market, aided by a website that consistently records more than one million `hits' per month.