Is the BMW X3 Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive or On-Demand Four-Wheel Drive?
2 Answers
BMW X3 is an on-demand four-wheel drive system. Taking the 2021 BMW X3 as an example, it is a mid-size 5-door, 5-seat SUV with the following dimensions: length 4717mm, width 1891mm, height 1689mm, wheelbase 2864mm, and a fuel tank capacity of 65 liters. The 2021 BMW X3 is equipped with a 2.0T turbocharged engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission, delivering a maximum power of 135 kW at 5000 to 6500 rpm and a maximum torque of 290 Nm at 1350 to 4250 rpm. The front suspension features a double-joint spring strut front axle, while the rear suspension uses a multi-link independent suspension.
I've studied the BMW X3's drivetrain system, and its xDrive all-wheel drive is actually an intelligent variant within the full-time AWD architecture. During normal driving, it defaults to a 40:60 front-rear torque distribution, with the computer monitoring wheel slip 100 times per second, capable of transferring 100% power to the wheels with traction in just 0.1 seconds. This design ensures both paved road handling and automatically switches to full AWD mode in snow or mud. Compared to traditional on-demand AWD that only engages when slippage occurs, xDrive maintains all-wheel drive even on dry roads, technically closer to the definition of full-time AWD. Of course, the transition is nearly imperceptible during actual driving, with steering remaining as precise as a rear-wheel-drive car.
