Don't quote me but no SG Foresters (in Australia anyway) have VDC apart from I think in the SG2 era when there were some XTs available with a special option pack that included VDC and a navigation unit that replaced the lift-up compartment on the dashboard. Might have only been available in auto too but my memory is hazy on the whole thing and I suspect they are quite rare. "If equipped" indeed!
Hi simxs,
Yes, you are correct! The only XTs that had VDC available as an option were the top of the range XT Luxury with the 4EAT transmission. Still, it was only fitted as a package with the OEM navigation unit. The VDC is an add-on feature of the VTD centre differential.
My car is a 2007 SG2 XT Auto (4EAT) with the OEM navigation. But mine's not a LUXURY, so I don't get the VDC, only the VTD centre diff as opposed to the MPT standard on other 4EATs. This was the case with all 2007 XT autos.
From the video on the first post, what really makes the difference is the VDC, in other words, the traction control monitoring of wheel-spin and individual brake application where required.
You can see on the first ice section how much the vehicle looses control when VDC is off. Straight after, with VDC turned on, it goes through in total control.
Now, my personal experience with VTD alone is also quite positive when compared to other 4EAT autos I've driven with the standard MPT, so I tend to agree with the results shown on the video:
1) VTD + VDC - best control
2) VTD only - good control
3) Auto MPT - ok control
I haven't spent enough time behind a Subaru manual to comment.
BeeJ, I thought your video find was a very nice one and certainly aligns with my view/experience.
Pedro.