Harry Plopper

BMW has developed two new drive and chassis systems which increase agility, traction and active safety without compromising dynamic driving and efficiency: Dynamic Performance Control and a new function of Dynamic Stability Control, called Selective Control Intervention.


Dynamic Performance Control

Dynamic Performance Control is based on a mechatronic system that takes over variable distribution of drive torque to the rear wheels independently of engine power. The difference in torque can be as much as 1800Nm and this enhances handling, steering precision, directional stability and traction. At the same time, the steering responds more directly, needing fewer steering corrections and stabilising interventions from the electronic control systems, such as Dynamic Stability Control (DSC).
The rear axle differential is combined with two superimposed differential drives and two electronically controlled lamella brakes in order to continuously vary the distribution of the drive torque between the rear wheels.

BMW has developed a system that operates under load and, for the first time, also actively distributes torque during thrust operation and when the clutch is engaged.
The combination of Dynamic Performance Control and the variable four-wheel drive BMW xDrive allows longitudinal torque to be variably distributed between the front and rear axle. Also, it distributes drive torque to the rear axle in response to driving conditions, and neutralises the inherent tendency of four-wheel vehicles to understeer.


Selective Control Intervention

The xDrive four-wheel drive system, DSC electronic control system and engine control through integrated chassis management are combined for fast distribution of the drive torque in the longitudinal direction.
Meanwhile, further development of Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) has seen the introduction of Selective Control Intervention. During tight cornering it actively counteracts the tendency to understeer. This control intervention, which is also active when DSC is switched off, will initially be introduced from March 2007 in the four-wheel drive models of the new BMW 5-Series. Other models and model series from the BMW brand will follow.

If a vehicle tends to understeer when cornering, the current DSC system increases the braking pressure on the nearside rear wheel in order to generate a stabilising yaw moment. That action remains identical on the new system, but now engine torque can now increased independently of the position of the accelerator. This can generate an additional stabilising torque of up to 500Nm.

The torque compensation when the engine is running at partial load contributes to increasing the precision of the steering manoeuvres, tracking stability and traction when cornering. This is because the system enables the car to respond faster to the course determined by the driver, and steering corrections are less frequently required. The vehicle follows the path of the curve at constant speed despite the stabilising braking intervention.



Source: BMW AG


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Harry Plopper

DPC + DSC with SCI + xDrive = Dynamic xDrive (debuting in a less then a year in X6)

Imhotep Evil

This sounds similar to active diferentials from WRC meets McLaren brake steering
system from Formula 1.

Any toughts on that Eni, Scott, Martimbo ?!

NarutoRamen

Wait...so the X6 will be debuting in less than a year? So what does that mean...like by the end of this year?

Harry Plopper

Or, very early next year (hint: LA or NAIAS).

NarutoRamen

Sweet! This systems sounds really good...but I wonder how good it's going to be against the more rear-biased QUATTRO

Harry Plopper

The "more rear biased Quattro" has - like xDrive - 40:60 drive torque distribution, and can also - like xDrive - dynamically switch it from regular 40:60 to 100:0 / 0:100 - depending on road conditions.

The only real advantage of Quattro on-road is that Audi chassis is initially designed for AWD, while BMW platforms are regular RWD platforms with add-on AWD system (except in the case of X-series vehicles).

But the new platforms (starting with F01 7er) will be designed with xDrive in mind, so expect better chassis response to the AWD. And then pair that with Dynamic xDrive based on FlexRay tech ... a sure winner. On-road, of course - since BMW are concentrating on on-road capability of AWD, while off-road ability is not a priority. So - in this respect - Quattro will retain its supremacy of being more all-round capable AWD system. While on-road xDrive will prevail.

I really hope Audi have some aces in their sleeves - eg. some very updated & enhanced Quattro system. Because BMW are really on a mission to take on Quattro. And in a few years xDrive will be praised a lot (hint: X6 M).

Like I said many times: Audi is taking on BMW's driving dynamics with their new platforms & rear biased Quattro, while BMW are slowly but persistently taking on Quattro & notorious Audi excellent interior craftsmanship.

Who will win that duel? Customers will.

NarutoRamen

That sounds great Eni. The only thing that worries me is the ///M department. I know the X6 M is going to be good (all M cars are) but I hope they don't start making M3 and M5 into AWD cars.

Harry Plopper

No intentions of implementing xDrive to other M cars.

But some of my sources says a temptation is huge. And some of them personally hope this will happen sometimes in the future.

But right now marketing department & BMW directors are not fond of this ideam

So, no need to worry.

Btw, more about xDrive in M cars: HERE

klier

BMW is shifting towards Audi a bit, Audi towards BMW, and Mercedes is becoming more and more driver orientated too (and the 7er more luxurious, with air suspension and more).......

hmmmm

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