xDrive ensures your BMW has the best possible traction at all times, enhancing agility and keeping you safely on track, even on fast bends. xDrive is the permanent all-wheel drive system from BMW: under normal circumstances, it distributes driver power between the front and rear axles in a 40:60 ratio, and changes this figure variably when the road surface or overall driving conditions change.

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Acting virtually instantaneously and a manner so subtle as to be go virtually unnoticed by the vehicle's occupants, xDrive can direct up to 100% of drive forces to one axle. Enabling the driver to start up effortlessly even on slippery surfaces or steep hills, xDrive routes all power to the axles with the greatest traction. When parking, the system reacts to the need for high manoeuvrability at low speed by opening the clutch completely so the powertrain functions optimally. At the first sign of understeering, drive power to the front axle is reduced. If oversteering is detected, xDrive directs more power to the front axle. Thanks to this dynamic redistribution of power, vehicle stability returns to normal even before the driver notices anything amiss.

Driving on a winding road or taking a fast bend in dynamic style is particularly enjoyable with xDrive: you feel as if your BMW is being guided along the curve. xDrive ensures that none of drive power is wasted on a loss of traction: every kilowatt of power is effectively brought to bear on the road. xDrive is regulated by Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and uses information from the latter system’s sensors to monitor road conditions. In addition, brake force courtesy of DSC is used when there is traction difference between the two sides of the vehicle and wheel spin is likely.

BMW xDrive All-Wheel-Drive System

More BMWs than ever before now come with the brand's one-of-its-kind xDrive all-wheel-drive technology - no less than 20 different models in all. And indeed, BMW's intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive system sets new standards in both traction and agility: xDrive allows infinitely variable distribution of drive forces between the front and rear wheels, modifying the flow of power at a speed never seen before. The system immediately recognises the need to change engine power, where appropriate, and respond within fractions of a second.

xDrive also in the new BMW 3 Series

Introducing the 325xi, the 330xi, and the 330xd in the BMW 3 Series, BMW now offers the advantages of xDrive technology for the first time also in the midrange segment. And xDrive technology is also featured in the BMW 5 Series (525xi, 530xi, 530xd) as well as the X3 and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles, thus now coming in no less than four different model series.

At the same time it goes without saying that this is not the end of the road, the new BMW model series announced at this year's Geneva Motor Show and scheduled for introduction in 2008, for example, further enlarging the xDrive portfolio: This sporting crossover, through its coupe-like silhouette interacting with its high, commanding seating position, will indeed be predestined for xDrive with its many benefits.

Action, not reaction: xDrive "thinks" for the driver and acts instantaneously

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xDrive acts faster than other systems, because it is able to think ahead and anticipate upcoming situations on the road. To offer this unique benefit, xDrive uses information from the wheel sensors showing the system whether a wheel is about to spin and providing data gathered by DSC stability control. The yaw rate (rotation around the car's vertical axis) and the position of the steering wheel, for example, offer important data on current driving conditions. Data of this kind is essential, for example, when taking a bend fast and dynamically, xDrive consistently spreading out drive forces perfectly between the two axles and minimising both under- and oversteer in the process.

Apart from this significant improvement of agility and driving pleasure, xDrive also ensures a substantial increase in driving safety, BMW's DSC stability control system therefore intervening far later in many cases than would be required with a conventional all-wheel-drive concept.

Better traction, particularly on snow and loose ground

With BMW xDrive reacting within fractions of a second, the system offers enormous advantages also in terms of traction. When setting out on slippery or loose ground, for example, the time-lag between the loss of wheel grip on the surface and the re-distribution of drive forces to wheels with grip is only a few milliseconds. So xDrive elegantly solves and eliminates the usual problems otherwise encountered so often when setting off, without the driver even noticing what is happening.

All-wheel drive is on the advance: in the successful year of 2005, one in four of the approximately 1.13 million cars of the brand BMW sold worldwide were fitted with the intelligent all-wheel drive system xDrive. This means that BMW sells more all-wheel drive vehicles than any other premium supplier. This leading position is the result of an attractive model range and the unique functionality of the all-wheel drive system developed by BMW.

BMW xDrive always distributes drive power where it is required

With its outstanding versatility, it not only enhances traction in difficult road conditions but also improves driving dynamics on the road. A further market penetration can be anticipated for BMW xDrive models in the year 2006. This is partially due to the successful models BMW X5 and BMW X3 in the SAV (Sports Activity Vehicles) segment as well as the sedan and touring versions of the BMW 5 Series and BMW 3 Series fitted with xDrive.

With 21 models in four model series, the diversity is broader than ever before in the over 20-year history of all-wheel drive at BMW. And it will soon increase further: for 2008 BMW has announced the launch of a new, completely distinctive series with coupé-style design, sporty character, raised seating position and the intelligent all-wheel drive system xDrive.

Increased driving dynamics and optimum traction in all conditions

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With BMW xDrive, power transmission is controlled by an electronically regulated multi-plate clutch via a power transfer unit. This allows the drive power to be distributed variably between the front and rear axle, always available where it can be most effectively converted into propulsion. The control unit of the all-wheel drive system is linked to the chassis regulation system DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) via internal interfaces. Based on the data provided by DSC, xDrive identifies any tendency to understeer or oversteer early on and counteracts this with a specific alteration of the power distribution. This leads a to proactive influencing of driving response which is unique within the competitive field.

Starting from a distribution between front and rear axle of 40:60 as is prevalent in normal driving situations, the power distribution can be altered to continuously variable levels. According to the requirements of driving dynamics, the power transmission proportion may vary between 50:50 and 0:100 per cent. Thus xDrive uniquely enhances directional stability and driving dynamics when taking bends at speed.

Intelligent, quick in response and variable

On unsurfaced tracks, and over snow and ice too, the BMW xDrive provides maximum traction as well as safe and fast acceleration. Individual wheel spin is suppressed with fast and variable alteration of the power distribution between front and rear axle. Under extreme traction conditions in particular, xDrive works considerably faster and more effectively than conventional all-wheel systems. For example, if when setting off on a snow-covered car park and a cleared road only the front wheels are on a surface with grip, xDrive responds instantly and effectively. Within just 0.1 of a second almost 100 per cent of the power provided by the engine is transferred to the front axle. The otherwise common brake application to the rear axle which causes power loss is thus unnecessary. A BMW with xDrive moves away spontaneously, swiftly and safely.

BMW all-wheel expertise since 1985

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The versatile qualities of all-wheel drive from BMW have a long tradition. In 1985, the BMW 325ix was the first all-wheel drive model of the brand to provide impressive traction as well as fascinating driving dynamics on asphalt. The BMW 525ix followed in 1991, for the first time with variable distribution of drive torque between front and rear axle. All-wheel expertise collected since then has significantly enhanced the thrust of the brand BMW in the SAV market. From the beginning, the BMW X5 (since 1999) and the BMW X3 (since 2003) have been regarded within their segments as benchmarks for a successful combination of high off-road potential and dynamic driving response on the road. Since then the range of all-wheel drive sedans and touring models of the BMW 3 Series has been further extended. The BMW 330ix, the BMW 325ix and the BMW 330dx have been offered since 2000 with the all-wheel drive system, which was first offered with the BMW X5. In 2003, BMW finally presented the intelligent all-wheel drive system xDrive in both the BMW X5 and BMW X3.

One in four BMW vehicles fitted with xDrive

BMW now offers 21 models in four model series with the intelligent all-wheel system xDrive. In addition to its variety, the success of the all-wheel drive models increases continuously. In 2005 one in four newly registered BMW was fitted with x Drive. Current sales figures indicate that this share will further increase in 2006.

Even now, BMW sells more all-wheel drive vehicles than any other premium supplier worldwide. And this leading position is not just due to the great demand for the regular xDrive models BMW X5 and BMW X3. Together they achieved in Germany in 2005 a market share of 18.5 per cent within their segment. This means that BMW was the most successful brand in the category of off-road vehicles. But in the category of sedan and touring models too, the all-wheel drive versions have achieved a clearly dominating position in some markets.

Interestingly enough, the sales success of xDrive is particularly high in the Alpine countries of Austria, Italy and Switzerland. In these countries, over 65 per cent of the models BMW 530i, BMW 525i and BMW 530d were sold in the all-wheel drive version in 2005. The absolute top model is the BMW 530d Touring: in Austria it is sold in 80 per cent of cases with xDrive as the BMW 530xd Touring.

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In Switzerland, the BMW 330i has achieved a similar all-wheel drive quota: in four out of five orders, the choice here falls on the 330xi. All in all, the BMW 330xi, BMW 325xi and BMW 330xd achieve an internal model market share of over 60 per cent in Switzerland. Anyone who is familiar with the all-wheel drive models and with these countries at the heart of Europe will not be surprised by the figures. Lots of snow, steep mountain passes, winding roads - these are ideal conditions for BMW's intelligent all-wheel drive system xDrive to display its qualities 365 days a year.

1.000.000 all-wheel drive vehicles have been sold since the first BMW all-wheel drive model 325ix was introduced in 1985 - 500.000 of them with xDrive.

See also: 4x4, AWD, 4WD, 4MATIC, 4MOTION