What Does xDrive Mean in BMW?

BMWs are aggressive cars, and BMW engineers can be a little aggressive when they name their babies. Confused by strings of letters and numbers? Well, we’ll clear up one mystery: what does xDrive mean in BMW?

BMW xDrive Explained

xDrive is the next technological step beyond the all wheel drive system. It advances how all-wheel drive systems operate through the use of cutting edge sensors that read the road and make incredibly detailed adjustments. The system reads and anticipates changes in the road that could be hazardous: from a slick patch to a gaping pothole to a complete change of surface texture.

It also reads what you’re doing as a driver, and what you need in order to do it. Are you angling into a tight turn? Are you accelerating on a wet road? Or is there an emergency? Are you stamping on the brakes or swerving to avoid an accident in front of you?

Returning Lost Control to the Driver

The xDrive system re-distributes power between the front and rear axles to handle different situations. Normal distribution is 40 percent power to the front axle, 60 percent power to the rear. Face a slick hill and more power will be distributed to the rear axle for additional traction – even up to 100 percent. If you’re oversteering on a turn, more power will be directed to the front axle.

More than this, xDrive interacts with other methods of control in additional situations. When you’re parking, the clutch will be opened completely so you have increased maneuverability at a low speed. By adjusting power distribution and other factors, xDrive returns control to the driver.

Solving a 100 Year-Old Problem

What does xDrive mean in BMW? It means as much driving control is given to the driver as possible – even the kind of control over handling that has always been lost before to bad roads and bad weather. After 100 years of all wheel drive technologies in cars, BMW xDrive solves one of the most important factors affecting stability.