Assistance systems: Enhanced performance in snow and off-road

› XDS+ system acts as a limited-slip differential and facilitates dynamic cornering
› Off-road, Snow and Traction modes provide support in demanding driving situations
› Hill Descent Control regulates the vehicle’s speed on steep slopes

Mladá Boleslav, 17 January 2023 – Škoda’s all-wheel-drive models feature special electronic assistance systems to help in demanding driving situations and deliver even more driving pleasure. The XDS+ system extends the range of functions of the electronic differential lock (EDL) and facilitates more dynamic cornering. In wintry conditions on and off the road, drivers of Škoda 4×4 models benefit from the Snow and Off-road driving profiles, as well as Hill Descent Control.

Škoda Auto’s all-wheel-drive vehicles are equipped with an electronic differential lock (EDL) on the front and rear axles. These engage at lower speeds when a wheel on the respective axle starts to spin. The system first brakes the wheel that is spinning and then transfers more torque to the wheel with better traction. The XDS+ system also provides support at higher speeds and thus enables even more precise track guidance in dynamic cornering. As soon as the electronics detect that one of the inside wheels is under too much load, the system applies targeted brake pressure to this wheel using the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) hydraulics to restore optimal traction. The XDS+ acts as a limited-slip differential and compensates for understeer when cornering at speed.

The 4×4 versions of the Karoq and Kodiaq feature Snow mode in the Driving Mode Select driving profiles, while the 4×4 versions of the Octavia, Superb, Karoq and Kodiaq can also come with Off-road mode, depending on the trim level. The off-road profile optimises the assistance systems’ characteristic curves for off-road driving. It is active at speeds of up to 30 km/h and includes pull-away, traction and braking assistance as well as Hill Descent Control. This regulates the vehicle’s speed during steep off-road descents using the braking system and engine brake torque. In Off-road mode, the infotainment display also provides data such as the steering angle, a compass and an altimeter. The Snow profile assists with low traction, while the anti-lock braking system (ABS) allows slightly more wheel slip and builds up snow in front of the tyres to improve braking performance. At the same time, the Traction Control System (TCS) does not intervene when the wheels are spinning slightly, enabling the tyre tread to grip better. The 7‑speed DSG selects higher gears in the lower rev range than in normal operation and the accelerator pedal is less direct in its response to prevent sudden increases in torque and thus wheelspin.