CHUNCHEON, Gangwon Province -- German luxury automaker BMW invited the press on Thursday to experience its cutting edge four-wheel drive technology, dubbed xDrive, in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province.

xDrive is the brand’s self-developed flagship four-wheel drive system that controls the torque split between the front and rear axles from 0:100 to 100:0 depending on road and driving conditions. 

Distributing different levels of power among four wheels makes a noticeable difference to the driver, as the torque split is normally at 40:60 on the front and back wheels.

“The xDrive technology can react to change within 125 milliseconds and allocate partial or full torque to the four wheels. This ensures passenger safety in harsh road conditions. It is particularly useful in Korea, because we have four distinct seasons,” Lee Suk-jae, manager of BMW Korea’s training academy told reporters.

When the tires lose grip, for instance, the system promptly distributes appropriate level of power to the wheels, thereby maintaining stability, Lee added.

Another highlight of the xDrive is its ability to identify even the slightest possibility of understeer or oversteer, delivering an intelligent and stable driving experience on bends.

Models used for test drive included X1 xDrive 20d, X5 xDrive M50d, X3 xDrive 20d, through a 35-minute-long rough and mountainous terrain of Chuncheon, Gangwon Province.

The X5 xDrive M50d maintained stability when driving through the winding mountainous single-lane trail at an average speed of 60 to 80 kph.

Also, breaking away from the stereotype that large vehicles are slow and heavy when driving on the road, the X5 M50d accelerated and decelerated rapidly.

According to the carmaker, an accumulated total of more than 5 million xDrive installed automobiles were released worldwide as of last year.

Among BMW vehicles sold worldwide in 2015, some 36 percent were equipped with an xDrive, while the figure for Korea stood at a higher 42 percent.

The German automaker first introduced a four-wheel drive system via BMW 324i in 1985, which had a 37:63 torque split.

The brand’s sports activity vehicle X3 produced in 2003 was equipped with the first xDrive technology that distributes full torque to the front or rear axles via its All-Wheel Drive and Dynamic Stability Control systems. 

By Kim Bo-gyung (lisakim425@heraldcorp.com)