BMW developing xDrive for M cars!!!

EnI

Piston Pioneer

• Oct 11, 2006

• #1

Spoke to one of "my" BMW guys earlier today, and I was told BMW are developing xDrive version for M models!!!

It will be based on Ver 2.0 xDrive, and will provide 0:100 front-rear torque distribution in normal conditions, and the ratio will change dynamicly if needed - depending on road conditions. The system will have "disable button" - to be turnd off if wanted.

First car with "MxDrive" will be the M version of X6.

No decision yet whether the system is to be offered in all future M models, or in "X M's" only.

Internal (yet unofficial) prediction: we will see the system also in other M models ...

Btw, have you read the Ferrari AWD rumour? Ferrari is rumoured to be develoving AWD system for its cars as well.

 

Zafiro

Supreme Roadmaster

• Oct 11, 2006

• #2

Never AWd in my M3 or M5

 

I

Imhotep Evil

Torque Titan

• Oct 11, 2006

• #3

First I read about Ferrari, now the ///M division.
Hell has becomed even chillier.

 

siko

Tire Trailblazer

• Oct 11, 2006

• #4

I'm OK with this as long as there is an option to choose between RWD or xDrive.

EniLab said:

Btw, have you read the Ferrari AWD rumour? Ferrari is rumoured to be develoving AWD system for its cars as well.

Click to expand...

Reported here:
http://www.germancarforum.com/showthread.php?t=6719

 

Top Secret

Autobahn Adventurer

• Oct 11, 2006

• #5

Boo...

AWD system = more weight = bad.

 

PC Valkyrie

Headlight Hero

• Oct 11, 2006

• #6

Guys, it's no big deal. Everyone knows cornering grip and launching grip can be immensely improved with AWD. I don't see why some of you are so paranoid about AWD in a high performance vehicle.

Sure, it's not the "purist" approach, but that's because of historical precedent, and not about the most efficient way to get around quickly in various scenarios.

Sure, it may be more difficult to power oversteer out of a turn in an AWD car, but it may mean you actually don't have to slide to transfer maximum power to the road ALL the time to get a faster cornering and exit speed.

 

EnI

Piston Pioneer

Thread starter

• Oct 11, 2006

• #7

Like I said: accoriding to the info I had got today BMW's "MxDrive" will be totally rear biased (0:100), and "off-switchable".

Also: just a confirmation X6 M will get the system! No M3, M5, M6, M7 etc with xDrive as of yet!

So, even non-X M cars get the xDrive, it will be off-switchable & 100% rear biased ... and it even could appear to be optional, not standard.

Do not panic!

 

PanterroR

Lap Time Luminary

• Oct 11, 2006

• #8

EniLab said:

No decision yet whether the system is to be offered in all future M models, or in "X M's" only.

Click to expand...

I hope so... Maybe some day we'll see an X5 M...

 

EnI

Piston Pioneer

Thread starter

• Oct 11, 2006

• #9

TycoonGTR said:

I hope so... Maybe some day we'll see an X5 M...

Click to expand...

Maybe sometimes in the future when X5 will be a different vehicle - lighter, lower, more dynamic. More crossover-ish. But I doubt it.

Right now the title of sportiest X is going to X6. Since it will be a Sport Activity Coupe, and will deserve M badge.

IMO BMW will stick with philosophy not to stick M badge to every box - like MB is doing with AMG.

I still hope they will start to use "Si" & "Sd" badges for sport models between regular & M line. Just like it was planned a while ago.

 

D

Deleted member 182

• Oct 11, 2006

• #10

Top Secret said:

Boo...

AWD system = more weight = bad.

Click to expand...

plus more moving parts, smaller MPG, more drivetrain loss, etc... = really bad!

 

Top Secret

Autobahn Adventurer

• Oct 11, 2006

• #11

ojis said:

plus more moving parts, smaller MPG, more drivetrain loss, etc... = really bad!

Click to expand...

Exactly. I see nothing good coming out of this.

 

EnI

Piston Pioneer

Thread starter

• Oct 11, 2006

• #12

Guys, you sound like grumpy old grandpas bitching about new stuff, new tech, new times, and where to the world goes.

World turns around. Time goes on. (Tehnological) Progress is rapid. Open your mind!

Are we really so old already?

 

LaArtist

Wunderkind of Wheels

• Oct 11, 2006

• #13

this sucks no matter what you guys say..
it will weight more.. and it doesent add much to a performance car really compared to RWD..it just adds less fun..

 

Top Secret

Autobahn Adventurer

• Oct 11, 2006

• #14

EniLab said:

Guys, you sound like grumpy old grandpas bitching about new stuff, new tech, new times, and where to the world goes.

World turns around. Time goes on. (Tehnological) Progress is rapid. Open your mind!

Are we really so old already?

Click to expand...

I don't dispute the technological advancements of this yet-to-be-confirmed MxDrive, but what I do dispute is the fact that these will be underpinning the flagships of the BMW range. I think everyone is well aware of the philosophy of the M Range, and this technology will, if true, go against the grain of everything 'M' stands for. Whatever happened to keeping weight at a minimum?

BTW, has anyone realised how similar BMW M and Audi RS will become if AWD is implemented in the M range?

 

bum-man

Driving Dynamics Pro

• Oct 11, 2006

• #15

BMW using turbo's for some of their engines, now this?

 

LaArtist

Wunderkind of Wheels

• Oct 11, 2006

• #16

yep they are no longer following the so called philosophy..
maybe now we can be spared the M philosphy talk from bimmer fans

PS
Seriously i knew that they would braked loose from philosophy.. just wait
there will be M7´s, X5 M´s, X6 M´s and so on.. its just the start..get used to it

 

warot

Track Technician

• Oct 11, 2006

• #17

The turbo thing I can understand. The engineers did their homework and now have a turbo engine with practically zero lag. It has a boat load of torque. This engine might win the engine of the year award. That's great.

No matter how you put it, Xdrive is going to add more weight. Doesn't matter how much work they do on it, it's still going to be too much weight.

I really hope that ///M doesn't get turbos (even though BMW seemed to have cracked the problem) and Xdrive just because it goes against their philosphy. And that is everything.

 

Zafiro

Supreme Roadmaster

• Oct 11, 2006

• #18

I have never heard BMw saying 4wd is against their philos.`?

 

warot

Track Technician

• Oct 11, 2006

• #19

Just_me said:

I have never heard BMw saying 4wd is against their philos.`?

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Are you joking? NA, RWD, 50:50 balance. That is what BMW's have been about since the beginning

 

EnI

Piston Pioneer

Thread starter

• Oct 11, 2006

• #20

First of all:

M xDrive will be available in X6 M only!!!!

Nobody said it will be offered in other models than X. But no one knows what the future can bring.

Regarding weight: mind that in the following years the lightweight materials will be even more available: alu-magnesium alloys, CF, composite plastic materials, special foams, etc ...

I'm not affraid of overweight.

Remember Z29 prototype from BMW Technik? The car (its lightweight technology) has an agenda!