While wasting time at work (Fiat/Alfa garage) I was flicking through the technical bulletins and noticed Alfa are launching a "new" type of diff for their FWD gearboxes.

Thing is, it sounded very similar to the ATB diff as fitted to the Focus RS, yet the Italians are claiming it to be "their" product (though mention it's made by Torsen)?

See what you think...

Alfa Q2 Self locking Diff (made by Torsen)


Quaife ATB Diff


They've got a detailed description on the official Alfa UK site including a vid (in Italian!) via this stupidly long link

http://www.alfaromeo.co.uk/cgi-bin/p...pe=PB_GEN_CNT2

 

The original idea and patent belongs to the Zexel-Thorsen corporation in Rochester,america.....This type of diff has been used by Audi for decades,long before Quaife decided to develop it for themselves...All Audi quattro running gear contains this type of diff....

HTH........

 

Both are "worm" type diffs

Quaife differential, is sold under the name Automatic Torque Biasing Differential (ATB). Covered by European Patent No. 130806A2.

Torsen differential invented by Vernon Gleasman in 1958, then sold to Gleason Corporation, who started marketing it in 1982.

http://www.answers.com/topic/limited-slip-differential

 

More info about it all here.....

http://www.torsen.com/

http://www.torsen.com/history.htm

 

Fair do's guys.

It's just Alfa seemed a bit smug about it all... bloody Italians!

Notice they don't mention the new Alfa 159 and Brera are almost entirely GM chassis/suspension/engine/drivetrain underneath!