applying torque...I don't know...everybody seems to have different idea on how these things work...sorry i can't help you here...anyway, I tried to contact the guy who wrote the review in the Car and Driver numerous times, but he never bothered to respond...on the contrary, the Cars.com editor was receptive to my request and corrected his description of the AWD after checking with the sources I suggested. It took only a little more than a couple of days, IIRC. Very impressive.