[Go back] [Desktop version]

xDrive

( Deutsch, English, Русский )

All Wheel Drive: all wheel drive explained, differential, electronic differential lock (EDL), haldex, jeep 4wd systems, low range, proactive AWD, quattro evolutions, safety concerns, terrain response system, testdrive, Torque-vectoring AWD, torque split ratio, torsen, viscous coupling

Brands: 4motion, quattro, super select, xDrive

Videos: Diagonal spin test, electronic differential lock test, quattro vs. xdrive test, Viscous Coupling Test

Vehicles: acura, alfa-romeo, AMC, audi, bentley, BMW, bucher, bugatti, cadillac, chevrolet, chrysler, citroen, dacia, daihatsu, dodge, fiat, ford europe, Ford USA, gaz, GMC, holden, honda, hummer, hyundai, infiniti, isuzu, jaguar, jeep, kia, lada, laforza, lamborghini, lancia, land rover, lexus, lincoln, mazda, mercedes, MG, mini, mitsubishi, nissan, opel, panther, peugeot, pontiac, porsche, range rover, renault, saab, seat, skoda, ssangyong, subaru, suzuki, toyota, uaz, vauxhall, volkswagen, volvo

Recent changes

bmw's xdrive all wheel drive system

Proactive automatic all wheel drive system. The rear wheels are powered at all times. Torque can be transferred to the front wheels via electronically controlled multi plate clutch that is located in the transfer case. XDrive does not have a center differential. Most of the time, the clutch is partially locked and power is transferred to both axles in proportion 40/60 front to rear. The power distribution can be altered to continuously variable levels (from 50/50 to 0/100). For example, when driving at high speed, or when parking, the clutch is disengaged and all power goes to the rear wheels.

XDrive is linked to DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) - when the vehicle understeers{f}, the clutch is disengaged thus transferring more torque to the rear wheels (10/90citation needed torque split). When oversteering is detected, the clutch locks fully transferring more power to the front wheels (50/50 torque split).

DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) also brakes wheels individually to regain traction and to help cornering.

XDrive intervenes before the car becomes unstable and is unnoticeable by the driver.

Figure: bmw 5 series xdrive (61KB)
bmw-5-series-xdrive

Figure: bmw xdrive transfer case (81KB)
bmw-xdrive-transfer-case

The video is unavailable.
To view videos, visit the desktop version.

Pin Have you seen a better description of Bmw's Xdrive All Wheel Drive System on the web? Please send us the link to or post it in a comment below!
There are 11 comments
ninja_zx11
November 11, 2015 - 00:04

Hi,few questions:
1.In Xdrive,if rear axle is permanently connected to the transmission,then how it can transfer 100% torque to the front axle?
2.If driving straight with constant speed with equal traction on all 4 wheels,how torque is split?Won't it be 50-50 split of torque in that case?
thanks

Reply to ninja_zx11
andi
August 29, 2017 - 11:52

1. "simply" due to the fact that in the case of spinning rear axle there is almost 0 torque going to it. in order to transfer torque, you need to have traction.
2. since there is no center diff, for driving situations where no wheel slip is likely (say highway speed, straight line, etc), only the rear axle is powered

Joe
September 05, 2013 - 04:27

Are there any viscous couplings in the xdrive system?

Xtrailman
July 24, 2012 - 20:38

Is this system better than the T31 xtrail (lastest version).

And does tyre wear need to be balanced?

Error
December 24, 2011 - 20:26

And what about when DSC is off ? Power distribution and other things ?

matt
February 14, 2009 - 19:24

sounds crappy.. needs to be taken care of - clutch + it is reactive: it acts after the wheelspin has already occurred. torsen based 4wd is proactive - it acts BEFORE wheelspin occurs + there's not much to wear out!

Reply to matt
George
October 02, 2009 - 22:45
xDrive

This system doesn't have to be reactive. There can be initial pre-load on the coupling (easily changeable via software) and that can be variable depending on steering angle. (more if the front wheels are straight)
Seeing as BMW (and almost everyone) use throttle-by-wire, if the software detects that you have 'floored' the throttle, the clamp load can go to maximum, resulting in no rear wheelspin-maybe both tires on the same side, then traction control will brake those two.

Under extreme conditions, when you operating outside the torque bias ration, this can be better than a torsen differential.

hassan
February 08, 2009 - 14:02
BMW Hill Decent Control

I could not understand how HDC works and where is it located in the vehicle? (hill descent control) this is on a automatic transmission.

Reply to hassan
awdwiki.com
February 08, 2009 - 14:15
BMW Hill Decent Control

Hi Hassan. You can find HDC description on the BMW web site
HDC on BMW Web site
Also see youtube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUMi_O7Ojqk

WISSAM
January 05, 2009 - 13:52

DEAR SIR
AT WHAT VEHCILE SPEED X-DRIVE STRAT ACTIVE

Reply to WISSAM
awdwiki.com
January 06, 2009 - 10:54

Hi,
I am sure the x-drive four wheel drive is active right from 0 kph.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGWsogAlZLE

Leave a Comment


?
? ?

Powered by TalkBack
 
Except where otherwise noted, content on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License
eXTReMe Tracker