I found this page:
http://www001.upp.so-net.ne.jp/missingm ... x/svx.html
Let's see if I can paste in a machine translation of the relevant section...
「SVX」の4WDシステムは、前後輪へのトルク配分を可変する「VTD-4WD」である。
4WD system of "SVX" is "VTD-4WD" which carries out variable [ of the torque distribution to an order ring ].
前モデル「Alcyone」で展開していた2WDの設定を廃し、4WD専門のスポーツスペシャルティを目指して開発された。
A setup of 2WD(s) which were being developed by the front model "Alcyone" was abandoned, and it was developed aiming at sport SUPESHARUTI of 4WD speciality.
「VTD」とは「Variable Torque Distribution」の略称である。
"VTD" is the abbreviated name of "Variable Torque Distribution."
「SVX」に採用された「VTD-4WD」とは、4WDの高いスタビリティはそのままに、不等&可変トルク配分により後輪駆動車に匹敵する回頭性の良いスポーティなハンドリングを実現した、当時としては革新の4WDシステムであった。
It was 4WD system of the innovation as that time which realized the sporty handling with 回頭性 sufficient [ "VTD-4WD" adopted as "SVX" ] in which high SUTABIRITI of 4WD matches a rear-wheel-drive vehicle by non-等 & variable torque distribution as it is.
ちなみに「SVX」では通常時、前輪側36.4／後輪側63.6の不等配分比率に設定されており、この比率を電子制御油圧多板クラッチ（MP-T）によるLSDの働きで走行状態に応じた配分を行い、前後輪のトルク配分を36:64から直結（50:50）まで可変制御する。
Incidentally, by "SVX", at the time of usual, it is set as the non-等配分 ratio of front wheel side 36.4-/rear wheel side 63.6, distribution according to the run state is performed by work of LSD according this ratio to an electronic control oil pressure multi-board clutch (MP-T), and variable control of the torque distribution of an order ring is carried out from 36:64 to direct connection (50:50).
Not like this is an authoritative source or anything, but to me it sounds like he's saying the SVX's VTD system was still based on a multiplate transfer clutch, but set up "backwards" as compared to our Legacies; drive always goes to the rear and the MPT clutch can send some to the front. The default split is 36/64, but the MPT clutch can fully lock up if necessary, making the split 50/50.
Interestingly, it also lists the final drive ratio as 3.700 rather than the 3.545 US models got.
Many other Japanese pages I've found also mention the "36/64" figure and the 3.700 final drive, and a few others also speak of an oil-pressure-controlled clutch involved in the VTD which can go to 50/50.
A 36/64 split isn't possible with the 4WD system in 4EAT BC/BFs, so unless all these Japanese guys are making up the same lies, there's gotta be a different system. If I understand it right (a big "if"), there could still be a "2WD" fuse, but it would lock into RWD rather than FWD. I doubt Subaru would label an "RWD" fuse "FWD."
So... yes, I think I agree. I think the US market got the "normal" setup while at least some overseas markets got a VTD.
I don't know anything about the current VTD system, so I don't know if the SVX's VTD system is the same or different.
"Just reading vrg3's convoluted, information-packed posts made me feel better all over again." -- subyluvr2212
