Benefits of GM's newer AWD Transfer Case vs. old?

[GnatGoSplat]

Maybe this is old news, but I didn't discover until last week that the 03 Escalade no longer has the NVG149 transfer case that's used in the Sierra C3, Denali, and Silverado SS. The NVG149 is a viscous coupled transfer case that is fully "automatic" and has no electronics, it splits torque 38/62. 01-02 Escalade used the NVG149 like the other awd trucks. 03 Escalade now uses a BW4481 transfer case that is nothing but an open differential that splits torque 40/60. Since it's an open diff, normally the axle with LESS traction gets most of the torque. The Escalade gets around this by employing an electronic traction control that automatically applies brakes only to the wheels with less traction, causing the differentials to redirect torque to the wheels that have traction.

 

Is the newer transfer case actually better? It seems to me that some power would be lost due to friction and heat of the brakes. What would be the benefits and drawbacks of the new system?

[pharden]

I understand the biggest benefit was improved fuel economy but I don't see any improvement in mileage between my 2001 Denali and the 2003 Denali. I drove my 2003 this winter in New England and it's performance in snow was stellar. The traction control only came on occasionally.

[GnatGoSplat]

Would you say the 2003 performed better in snow than the 2001?