High-tech on wheels helps adventurous drivers to rip through snow

Editor's Note: Driving on snowy and icy roads can be intimidating for many as it is exciting for many others. Aficionados of the sport that can get the adrenalin flowing say that it demands both outstanding driving skills and cars capable of the challenging road conditions. A number of carmakers have organized test-driving events in China's coldest areas, and here are some of the most popular picks, as Li Fusheng reports.

A fleet of Jeep SUVs, including the Compass, ventured into the snow-clad Kanas Lake area in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in January. One of the Compass's most powerful tools to cope with slippery roads is its smart drive system Active Drive. The system will automatically activate the four-wheel drive in a number of situations, like when it finds the temperature is below minus 2C. It boasts a Selec-Terrain function, which allows the driver to adjust the car for different road conditions, including snow, sand and mud. There are two powertrain variants, one featuring 1.4-liter turbocharged engine and the other, a 2.4-liter natural aspirated one. Its maximum output ranges from 121 kilowatt to 128.5 kW.

In early January, Volkswagen Import organized a test-drive event of its Touareg SUVs at the Jingpo Lake scenic area in Heilongjiang province. The model features a high-tech 4MOTION ® four-wheel drive system, four-way adjustable air suspension, hill decent control and auto hold, helping it better handle snowy and icy road conditions. It also boasts great power thanks to its 3.0-liter TSI V6 supercharged engine, which coupled with an 8-speed Tiptronic transmission delivers a maximum power output of 235 kW and a peak torque of 440 Nm. It can sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 7 seconds, with a top speed of 235 km/h. The Touareg also boasts transmission efficiency, reliability, and fuel economy.