BMW xDrive - Delivers the power where it's needed

'Basically, xDrive is an intelligent, all-wheel driving system that puts the driver in control of every road situation by manipulating the amount of drive power delivered to each wheel of the car as required', explained Mr. Naim Majdalani, Director of Sales for Alfardan Automobiles - the exclusive importers of BMW in Qatar. 'Most importantly, the changes in power delivery are extremely smooth, so the driver may not even be aware that the system is assisting him in the background.'

With the ability to switch 100% of the drive power from one axel to the other in a fraction of a second, the xDrive system is a welcome send send for icy and wet driving conditions or for surfaces with loose gravel. The system provides maximum traction and forward drive along with dynamic handling by shifting the drive power between the two axels automatically.

xDrive also works together with the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system to stabilize the vehicle if it appears on the verge of under or oversteering - a situation where the front or the rear wheels respectively lose grip with the road on a turn. The DSC adjusts engine output and applies precise braking to each individual wheel to bring the vehicle back under the driver's control. DSC gathers the information it needs by monitoring wheel rotation, steering angle, yaw and accelerator pedal position. For the most part, the driver isn't even aware of the system working behind the scene.

'xDrive does offer extra safety, superior control and enhanced driving pleasure,' said Mr. Majdalani.

The BMW X3 and X5 sports activity vehicles (SAVs) do come with xDrive as a standard option, since the system is tailor-made for desert driving with its constantly varying grip levels and driving conditions.