BMW India showcases BMW xDrive, intelligent all-wheel drive system at the BMW Xperience 2011

BMW India is hosting the BMW Xperience at Gurgaon, National Capital Region from 16 – 23 October 2011 at the specially designed test course. The event was kicked off by a vibrant and captivating performance by Raw BANG - a proficient group of Australian percussionists and tap dancers. The test course, designed exclusively by international experts includes 10 simulated obstacles, where each obstacle brings out a unique feature of the BMW X range. BMW Xperience will provide patrons the opportunity to drive the BMW X5, the BMW X6 and the all-new BMW X3, under the expert guidance of international BMW trainers.

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Dr. Andreas Schaaf, President BMW India, said, “BMW Group is a pioneer in creating new vehicle segments. The entire Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) was created by BMW. The BMW xDrive is one of the most advanced examples of a four-wheel drive systems in use today’s world. The BMW Xperience is a one of its kind event, being organized at such large scale in India. This is an exciting opportunity to experience the superiority of the BMW X range of SAVs in a stimulating and safe off-road environment.” The BMW xDrive is an intelligent all-wheel drive system that monitors the driving situation constantly and distributes drive power smoothly between the axles. BMW xDrive splits drive variably to the front and rear axles to suit the driving situation and the surface. Under normal driving conditions xDrive works with a basic 40/60 torque split front and rear. If there is any sudden change in requirements on account of differences in the friction values between the road surface and the driven wheels or because of the driving situation, the torque split can be varied within a fraction of a second without the driver even becoming aware of the change.

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In contrast to other manufacturers, who use all-wheel drive principally to make up for the shortfall in traction suffered by front-wheel-drive vehicles, BMW tunes its xDrive system to provide handling typical of rear-wheel drive. Even in normal situations on the road, all-wheel-drive BMW models send the lion’s share of drive to the rear wheels. 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.

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With BMW xDrive reacting within fractions of a second, the system offers enormous advantages 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. And it thinks ahead too. As one drives, the xDrive analyses data from the on-board electronics systems such as speed, steering angle, torque output and other key factors – and calculates whether the vehicle can follow the driver’s wish or if it threatens to oversteer or understeer, thereby preventing the vehicle from swerving.

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On unsurfaced tracks, 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. 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. In a car equipped with xDrive, the driver has the assurance that even under adverse road-surface conditions the torque split is always instantly optimised to provide the best possible traction and stability. In India, the intelligent BMW xDrive all-wheel drive system is standard in the all-new BMW X3 (X3 xDrive20d, X3 xDrive30d), BMW X5 (X5 xDrive50i, X5 xDrive30d) and BMW X6 (X6 xDrive50i, X6 xDrive30d).