BMW India recently set up an off-road test course with 10 simulated obstacles in Gurgaon, Delhi NCR, to showcase the off-roading capability of their X3, X5 and X6. Here is what the experience was like
BMW INDIA ORGANISED THE ‘xDRIVE Xperience’ between October 16 and 23 in Gurgaon, Delhi NCR. The event was held to demonstrate the off-roading capabilities of the company’s famous crossover SUVs (or ‘sport activity vehicles’, as BMW like to call them) – the X3, X5 and X6. These SAVs are equipped with the xDrive technology which is one of the most advanced four-wheel drive systems today. One of the presentations before the actual drive informed us that BMW had come up with the xDrive technology back in 2004 and that there had been a number of upgrades since then.
Unlike a regular all-wheel drive (AWD) car, the xDrive technology splits the torque between the front and rear axles in the ratio of 40:60 under normal conditions. However, if there are changes in the friction values of the surface for the wheels, the technology performs a power split within a fraction of a second without the driver noticing it. For example, if the front wheels are on a wet and slippery surface while the rear wheels are able to get more friction value, then the usual 40:60 ratio gets diverted more towards the rear wheels; if need be, upto 0:100. The automatic power transmission between both the axles may vary between 50:50 and 0:100 per cent ratios. Such variation of drive forces to wheels with traction ensures directional stability. In other words, it minimises skidding.
The track was set up by international experts. It had 10 simulated obstacles, which included vertical limit (incline, decline), dry riverbed, water bed, sand bed, sharp tilt, rollers (for right front and rear wheels) for free wheel spin, rumblers and artifi cial humps for diagonally opposite wheels, among others. I drove the X3, the X5 and the X6 and closely watched the mirrors placed near the humps and rollers. These clearly exhibited the power split concept as every time the front right wheel was in the air, its free spinning stopped as the drive force was transferred to the other set of wheels. That was followed by a tight left turn, which required a complete steering lock to left to take on the dry riverbed. Then came the vertical limit (sharp incline and decline) immediately followed by a water bed. Obviously, as we know, the X6 was the easiest of all across all those obstacles.
Dr Andreas Schaaf, President, BMW India, who was present at the event, was delighted by the response from drivers. Nearly 1,000 BMW customers attended the ‘xDrive Xperience’ to understand or better know the concept.
As of now, the company rolls out diesel X3s from its Chennai plant while the X5 and X6 are imported as completely built-up units (CBU). The company has plans to have 40 dealer outlets across the country by 2012.
Story: Amit Panday
