What is xDrive AWD?

Everyone’s heard of all-wheel drive (AWD) and how it helps cars maintain traction in bad weather conditions. BMW’s unique version of all-wheel drive is called xDrive, helping to emphasize that it isn’t just like all the other all-wheel-drive systems on the market today.

On traditional four-wheel-drive systems, the torque produced by the engine is split evenly between the front and rear wheels. With xDrive, the system does distribute torque between the front and rear axles, but it does so variably. That means as conditions change, the amount of torque that goes to the front or rear wheels. Drivers feel excellent road-holding and handling as a result of this advanced technology, which makes driving on winding roads a joy instead of stressful.

The key to the xDrive system is a multi-disc clutch that’s integrated into the drivetrain. Intelligent electronics control the clutch, constantly adjusting it to adapt to the road conditions. Those changes to torque distribution between the front and rear axles happen in just a fraction of a second, which is why the system is ideal for dealing with sudden losses of traction. Different amounts of power can be sent to the different axles, helping to maintain stability at all times. In extreme cases where one set of wheels completely loses traction, the xDrive system can transfer all power to the other end of the vehicle.

For example, a BMW can be heading down a road in the wintertime, and everything looks clear. A patch of black ice is present on an overpass, invisible to the driver. Instead of the vehicle losing control once the front wheels hit the patch, power is transferred instantly to the rear wheels. As the other end of the car crosses over the slippery ice, torque is sent to the front axle instead, helping to maintain control throughout the whole ordeal.

This design exceeds the performance of a traditional four-wheel-drive system and many other all-wheel-drive setups. When one set of wheels loses traction in a traditional configuration, the power that normally would have gone to them is completely lost, leaving the vehicle driving on half of its normal output. With BMW’s xDrive, that power is redirected to the other axle so the car continues on at the same speed as before. That means greater stability and predictability, no matter road conditions, which makes things easier on the driver.

Most people probably don’t even realize that steering performance is greatly improved on BMWs with xDrive, even when the road is completely dry. Most vehicles will understeer in curves, which will push it across the lane line, requiring the driver to make adjustments to prevent a head-on collision or even completely losing control and spinning out. With the xDrive system, the sensors will transfer some of the engine power from the front to the rear axle while the vehicle travels through a curve. This completely eliminates understeer without the driver doing anything, providing optimal control without slowing down.

While everyone thinks about the advantages of BMW’s xDrive in the wintertime, you should know that it’s something you can enjoy no matter the season. Instead of taking the fun out of driving, it’s the perfect way to squeeze the best performance out of The Ultimate Driving Machine.