BMW sDrive is a single axle drive architecture that is purpose-built for sport-utility vehicles. Introduced by German automaker BMW as an option for the 2013 BMW X5 (F15),[1] sDrive uses torque-vectoring and displacement mechanisms that optimise agility and efficiency.[2] Today, sDrive is available on all of BMW's utility vehicles, from the X1 through X7.
Prior to the introduction of sDrive, the majority of monocoque SUVs came with all-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, or front-wheel drive. The two-wheel drive systems present at the time were generally purpose-built for car applications in terms of handling and durability. Rear-wheel drive was generally only seen on body-on-frame vehicles such as pickup trucks and large SUVs. Prior to the F15 X5, all BMW SUVs came standard with BMW xDrive, the company's symmetric all-wheel drive system. These vehicles proved popular to general consumers but lacked the drivability and steering preciseness of the company's sedans and sports cars.[3] The development of sDrive took approximately eight years, and the internal architecture primarily took cues from BMW's sedan rear-wheel drive over xDrive. However, the slip differential needed to be built more substantially to enable the torque-vectoring system on heavier vehicles.
Today, sDrive is a popular option on BMW's SUVs. Nearly 35% of all SUVs sold in North America are optioned with sDrive.[failed verification] Many journalists have compared sDrive's agility to be similar to BMW's smaller sedans, particularly in the case of the BMW X3 (G01).[4]
References edit
- ^ "2014 BMW X5 sdrive35i: The Oppo Review". Oppositelock. Archived from the original on 2019-08-06. Retrieved 2019-08-06.
- ^ "BMW sDrive vs. xDrive: What's the Difference? | BMW AWD vs. 2WD". Rallye BMW. February 18, 2019.
- ^ Swan, Tony (February 1, 2000). "2000 BMW X5". Car and Driver.
- ^ "Why you should buy a BMW X3 over the 3 Series". July 6, 2018.