A Car with the X-Factor
Hands up – does anyone actually enjoy driving in adverse conditions? OK Mr Stig and Mr Hamilton you can put your hands down now thank-you, writes Paul Agnew. Photography: Roger Moore
But it’s no surprise that most other motorists agree that there’s not much fun when the weather takes a turn for the worse or the state of the road becomes tricky.
Unless, of course, you are among the X-panding army of privileged drivers who sit in a BMW xDrive model, complete with four-wheel drive.
We’ve all seen and heard of 4WD, all-wheel drive and 4×4; motoring terms that are used interchangeably but basically equate to the same thing.
BMW xDrive is powered by an extra layer of intelligence, making it one of the most technically advanced all-wheel drive systems out there.
So, when weather and road conditions change and that can happen in a flash, you can count on the superb BMW xDrive to respond just as quickly.
For ‘quickly’ read 0.1 secs… and you don’t have to do anything other than let the remarkable BMW xDrive automatically respond to what is going on around and under it.
Ice, mud, snow, gravel, it matters not a jot, BMW xDrive can cope with whatever is thrown into its path thanks to Dynamic Stability Control (DSC). More detail on that shortly.
If you are not technically inclined, then be satisfied in the knowledge that DSC detects a spinning wheel and applies the car’s brakes to limit spin. It also activates if it detects understeer or oversteer. For example, if the car is not going where the driver is steering, it enables the driver to regain full control.
You get all the benefits of rear-wheel drive to ensure maximum grip, precise handling, optimum cornering etc. You’ll feel safer and more confident and be able to concentrate on enjoying the pleasure of driving.
In short, it’s a million times better.
If, however, you are more ‘techy’ and into the nuts and bolts, then here is a summary of how it works.
When it is slippery, sodden or muddy, more torque has to be applied to the road and a conventional vehicle’s front or rear wheels can lose grip.
With BMW xDrive, the aforementioned DSC sensors detect the slightest loss of grip. An electronically controlled, multi-disc clutch diverts the power to the set of wheels that have the best traction, reacting much faster than traditional, hydraulically operated systems.
And, unlike other all-wheel drive vehicles, BMW xDrive is a fully variable system that can send almost 100 per cent of the power to either axle, offering instantaneous and effective transfer of engine power.
The result? Your BMW holds the surface exceptionally well, handling every twist in the road and turn in the weather.
What’s more, thanks to TwinPower Turbo engines and EfficientDynamics technologies, BMW xDrive models benefit from remarkably low CO2 figures too.
In addition to BMW xDrive, there is also BMW M xDrive which has been specifically engineered to enhance the driving experience expected of all BMW ‘M’ products. Thanks to the central driving dynamics management system, which ensures that all of the data from the various driver systems are controlled through one centralised hub, M xDrive has the power to adjust the vehicle driving dynamics and settings to match the conditions.
The other good news is that the xDrive is available right across the fabulous BMW range – from the sporty and compact BMW 1 Series through to the luxurious and magnificent BMW 8 Series.
Visually, the only difference is that they may have bigger wheels and more ground clearance, both of which will make the car sit higher.
So, with winter very much upon us and day-to-day conditions likely to test the skill and nerve of even the most competent driver, now could be the time to ‘X’ things up a bit.
You might say BMW xDrive is in perfect condition for imperfect conditions. Until 31 December 2019, benefit from a compelling 2.9 per cent APR representative on the BMW X model range.
Bowker Preston BMW
Channel Way
Preston PR2 2YA
01772 769976
www.bowkerprestonbmw.co.uk
