<P> American Motors (AMC) acquired Kaiser's Jeep Division in 1970 and quickly upgraded and expanded the entire line of off - road 4WD vehicles . With its added roadworthiness, the top range full - size Grand Wagoneer continued to compete with traditional luxury cars . Partially hand - built, it was relatively unchanged during its production through 1991, even after Chrysler's buyout of AMC . </P> <P> Subaru introduced the category - expanding Leone in 1972, an inexpensive compact station wagon with a light - duty, part - time four - wheel drive system that could not be engaged on dry pavement . In September AMC introduced Quadra Trac full - time AWD for the 1973 model year Jeep Cherokee and Wagoneer . Thanks to full - time AWD, which relieved the driver of getting out to lock hubs and having to manually select between 2WD and 4WD modes, it dominated all other makes in FIA rally competition . Gene Henderson and Ken Pogue won the Press - on - Regardless Rally FIA championship with a Quadra Trac equipped Jeep in 1972 . </P> <P> American Motors introduced the innovative Eagle for the 1980 model year . These were the first American mass production cars to use the complete front - engine, four - wheel drive system . The AMC Eagle was offered as a sedan, coupe, and station wagon with permanent automatic all - wheel - drive passenger models . The new Eagles combined Jeep technology with an existing and proven AMC passenger automobile platform . They ushered a whole new product category of "sport - utility" or crossover SUV . AMC's Eagles came with the comfort and high - level appointments expected of regular passenger models and used the off - road technology for an extra margin of safety and traction . </P> <P> The Eagle's thick viscous fluid center differential provided quiet and smooth transfer of power that was directed proportionally to the axle with the greatest traction . This was a true full - time system operating only in four - wheel drive without undue wear on suspension or driveline components . There was no low range in the transfer case . This became the forerunner of the designs that followed from other manufacturers . The automobile press at the time tested the traction of the Eagles and described it as far superior to the Subaru's and that it could beat many so - called off - road vehicles . Four Wheeler magazine concluded that the AMC Eagle was "The beginning of a new generation of cars ." </P>

What was the first mass produced car to come from the factory with all-wheel steering