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All-wheel-drive BMWs since 1985

BMW brand has been offering all-wheel-drive technology since 1985. Initially, all-wheel-drive was available on only two BMW 3 Series, while today this technology comes in no less than 21 models in the BMW X5, BMW X3, BMW 3, and BMW 5 Series.

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BMW's polar base

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BMW xDrive

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xDrive and DSC

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DTC, HDC & TSC

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Networked systems

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AWD since 1985

The very first BMW with all-wheel drive came in 1985 (BMW 325ix, E30 model series) with permanent all-wheel drive and a six-cylinder developing maximum output of 171 hp, with a viscous coupling in the power divider and final drive, feeding drive forces 36 per cent to the front and 64 per cent to the rear axle. Total sales of the BMW 325ix Saloon (sedan) or Touring between 1985 and 1990 amounted to some 30,000 units.

The BMW 525ix followed in 1991 (E34 model series), with permanent all-wheel drive and electromagnetically activated, map-controlled locks in the power divider and hydraulic locks in the rear axle final drive. The division of engine power is no longer rigid, but may rather be varied from the standard 36 : 64 split front-to-rear all the way to a 50 : 50 split. The BMW 525ix came as both a Saloon and Touring, each featuring BMW’s 2.5-litre 141 kW/192 hp straight-six power unit, with a choice of either a five-speed manual gearbox or five-speed automatic. Total sales of the BMW 525ix between 1991 and 1995 were approximately 10,000 units.

BMW 530xi sedan with all-wheel-drive system, testing in Sweden.

After withdrawing from the all-wheel-drive market for 10 years, the BMW 5 Series (E60 model series) is equipped with xDrive in April 2005.

In late 1999, the BMW X5 (E53 model series) entered production at BMW’s U.S. plant in Spartanburg. As a crossover (unitary body, without the traditional body-on-frame truck structure), or Sports Activity Vehicle in BMW terms, it combines the offroad qualities of an SUV with the dynamics and comfort of a sporting passenger car. All-wheel drive in the BMW X5 features an ADB-X automatic differential lock with intervention in the brakes, power distribution between the front and rear axle being consistently maintained at a split of 38 : 62. This is also the first BMW combining all-wheel drive with a diesel engine, with total sales amounting to more than 300,000 units before the first version is replaced by the current BMW X5 with xDrive in late 2003.

Just a few months after the launch of the BMW X5 in Germany in June 2000, the new BMW 3 Series (E46 model series) also becomes available with all-wheel drive featuring ADB-X carried over from the BMW X5 and adapted in both the Saloon and the Touring to the needs and requirements of a mid-range passenger car (D sgment, upper medium size). Featured as the BMW 325ix, BMW 330ix, and BMW 330dx, the all-wheel-drive version of the BMW 3 Series accounted for sales of more than 120,000 units before the car was replaced in 2005.

In 2003, BMW launched its second SAV, the BMW X3, celebrating its debut with the BMW X5 update. A further highlight is the introduction of BMW’s latest all-wheel-drive system in both models.

The BMW X3 is available with five engines and features xDrive with variable division of drive power between the front and rear axles as well as a lateral locking function by DSC intervening in the brakes. Worldwide customer deliveries of the BMW X3 now amount to more than 200,000 units, with the BMW X5 featuring xDrive having already been delivered to more than 230,000 customers.

BMW X3 testing xDrive system in Sweden.

In 2003, BMW launched its second SAV, the BMW X3.

2005 - After withdrawing from the all-wheel-drive market for 10 years, the BMW 5 Series (E60 model series) is equipped with xDrive since April 2005. This all-wheel-drive system is combined in the 5 Series with six-cylinder power units – the BMW 525xi and BMW 530xi and, as of autumn 2005, the diesel-powered BMW 530xd. By December 2005, worldwide customer deliveries of the BMW 5 Series (E segment, Executive category) with xDrive amounted to 23,000 units.

The new BMW 3 Series (E90 model series) got the latest xDrive technology last September in the 325xi, 330xi, and 330xd. In the very first quarter since the commencement of sales, approximately 20,000 customers have already opted for a BMW 3 Series with xDrive. Next >>>

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