German Car Zone

Source: WorldCarFans

BMW X5 and X3 lead the way

All-wheel drive is on the advance: in the successful year of 2005, one in four of the approximately 1.13 million cars of the brand BMW sold worldwide were fitted with the intelligent all-wheel drive system xDrive. This means that BMW sells more all-wheel drive vehicles than any other premium supplier. This leading position is the result of an attractive model range and the unique functionality of the all-wheel drive system developed by BMW. 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. A further market penetration can be anticipated for BMW xDrive models in the year 2006. This is partially due to the successful models BMW X5 and X3 in the SAV (Sports Activity Vehicles) segment as well as the sedan and touring versions of the BMW 5 Series and 3 Series fitted with xDrive. With 21 models in four model series, the diversity is broader than ever before in the over 20-year history of all-wheel drive at BMW. And it will soon increase further: for 2008 BMW has announced the launch of a new, completely distinctive series with coupé-style design, sporty character, raised seating position and the intelligent all-wheel drive system xDrive.

Increased driving dynamics and optimum traction in all conditions.
With BMW xDrive, power transmission is controlled by an electronically regulated multi-plate clutch via a power transfer unit. This allows the drive power to be distributed variably between the front and rear axle, always available where it can be most effectively converted into propulsion. The control unit of the all-wheel drive system is linked to the chassis regulation system DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) via internal interfaces. Based on the data provided by DSC, xDrive identifies any tendency to understeer or oversteer early on and counteracts this with a specific alteration of the power distribution. This leads to proactive influencing of driving response which is unique within the competitive field. 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.

Intelligent, quick in response and variable.
On unsurfaced tracks, and over snow and ice too, 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. Under extreme traction conditions in particular, xDrive works considerably faster and more effectively than conventional all-wheel systems. For example, if when setting off on a snow-covered car park and a cleared road only the front wheels are on a surface with grip, xDrive responds instantly and effectively. Within just 0.1 of a second almost 100 per cent of the power provided by the engine is transferred to the front axle. The otherwise common brake application to the rear axle which causes power loss is thus unnecessary. A BMW with xDrive moves away spontaneously, swiftly and safely.

BMW all-wheel expertise since 1985.
The versatile qualities of all-wheel drive from BMW have a long tradition. In 1985, the BMW 325ix was the first all-wheel drive model of the brand to provide impressive traction as well as fascinating driving dynamics on asphalt. The BMW 525ix followed in 1991, for the first time with variable distribution of drive torque between front and rear axle. All-wheel expertise collected since then has significantly enhanced the thrust of the brand BMW in the SAV market. From the beginning, the BMW X5 (since 1999) and the BMW X3 (since 2003) have been regarded within their segments as benchmarks for a successful combination of high off-road potential and dynamic driving response on the road. Since then the range of all-wheel drive sedans and touring models of the BMW 3 Series has been further extended. The BMW 330ix, the BMW 325ix and the BMW 330dx have been offered since 2000 with the all-wheel drive system, which was first offered with the BMW X5. In 2003, BMW finally presented the intelligent all-wheel drive system xDrive in both the BMW X5 and BMW X3.

One in four BMW vehicles fitted with xDrive.
BMW now offers 21 models in four model series with the intelligent all-wheel system xDrive. In addition to its variety, the success of the all-wheel drive models increases continuously. In 2005 one in four newly registered BMW was fitted with x Drive. Current sales figures indicate that this share will further increase in 2006.

Even now, BMW sells more all-wheel drive vehicles than any other premium supplier worldwide. And this leading position is not just due to the great demand for the regular xDrive models BMW X5 and BMW X3. Together they achieved in Germany in 2005 a market share of 18.5 per cent within their segment. This means that BMW was the most successful brand in the category of off-road vehicles. But in the category of sedan and touring models too, the all-wheel drive versions have achieved a clearly dominating position in some markets. Interestingly enough, the sales success of xDrive is particularly high in the Alpine countries of Austria, Italy and Switzerland. In these countries, over 65 per cent of the models BMW 530i, BMW 525i and BMW 530d were sold in the all-wheel drive version in 2005. The absolute top model is the BMW 530d Touring: in Austria it is sold in 80 per cent of cases with xDrive as the BMW 530xd Touring.

In Switzerland, the BMW 330i has achieved a similar all-wheel drive quota: in four out of five orders, the choice here falls on the 330xi. All in all, the BMW 330xi, BMW 325xi and BMW 330xd achieve an internal model market share of over 60 per cent in Switzerland. Anyone who is familiar with the all-wheel drive models and with these countries at the heart of Europe will not be surprised by the figures. Lots of snow, steep mountain passes, winding roads – these are ideal conditions for BMW’s intelligent all-wheel drive system xDrive to display its qualities 365 days a year.

1.000.000 all-wheel drive vehicles have been sold since the first BMW all-wheel drive model 325ix was introduced in 1985 – 500.000 of them with xDrive.

Well I supose if we consider the X3 (= no rivals) and X5 (= still sales leader) BMW is no. 1.
But why oh why has it taken Audi so long to develop SUVs ?!

and with upcoming X6 BMW will keep the leading for quite a while

AWD car sale figures are becoming more and more important and so even the traditional RWD like BMW companies have to jump into the AWD train before it's too late.
I 'm happy that they emphasize on the strong points of AWD cause everyone knows that Audi is the undisputed leader in the field for the past 25 years. So it's like BMW is sending more customers to Audi.

Sorry Yannis, but almost no BMW xDrive owner would take their bimmers off
road.

Now that i 'm thinking about it since BMW is the No1 in AWD sales doesn't that mean that Mercedes is No1 in RWD sales?
Perhaps the marketing guys in BMW should really think harder before making press releases like this one.

I don't think MB is No1 in RWD sales. Remember that over 40% of MB sales in Europe is FWD!

it was a sarcastic comment on behalf of yannis man,
BMW is number one in AWD, and logically in RWD, since they sell nothing else
but it was a smart marketing move, topush the stake a bit farther, they're number 1 in a segment they entered less than 7 years ago

Indeed, it is quite a feat to be the market leader in such a short time, especially considering Audi has been focusing on this segment for a long while and leading it by quite a margin. Audi is synonymous with AWD Quattro....so for BMW to walk right on into their yard and bump them off top spot in terms of sales in a relatively short time... it's shows BMW really have their corporate, business and marketing strategies working in sync.

Seems like BMW has the Midas touch... every segment or venture they undertake turns to gold.

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Oh..as for Yannis..... i know buddy.. it's gotta be hard reading all that, especially since you're such an Aud aficionado... but when you're hot, you're hot... and that's exactly what BMW is right now.

You might be right! I forgot about A class and B class.