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,

Jeep Compass

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.

Volkswagen Touareg

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.

Mercedes-Benz GLC

Also in January, Mercedes-Benz led a fleet of its car models, including the GLC SUV, to the freezing cold Hulunbuir grassland in North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region. The well-known Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC system, which is found in all GLC variants, ensures good precision and stability in driving even in challenging conditions like snowy and slippery roads. The GLC is also one of the most powerful and dynamic vehicles in Mercedes-Benz’s SUV line-up. For example, the GLC 300 4MATIC, which sports a 2.0L inline-4 turbocharged engine, can generate a maximum output of 180 kW. The GLC also has a unique design language both for exterior and interior that the automaker has come to be known for.

Maserati Levante

In January, Maserati organized a test-drive of its models at the Changbai Mountains in Northeast China’s Jilin province, with the Italian brand’s first SUV Levante an eye-catcher. Among others, it features an active air suspension and an intelligent Q4 four-wheeldrive system, which enable Levante to change its height and power distribution. On slippery or loose road surfaces, the Q4 system can alter the torque split between front and rear wheels from 0-100 percent to 50-50 percent within 150 milliseconds. Levante also has exceptional performance. Powered by a V6 twin turbocharged engine, the top 430 hp version Levante S sprints from 0-100km/h in 5.2 seconds before hitting a top speed of 264 km/h.