More power to your axle

By ALASTAIR SLOANE, motoring editor

BMW New Zealand is to introduce its xDrive four-wheel-drive system across its vehicle range, a first-time decision certain to boost sales of its new 5-Series Touring station wagon.

The new luxury carry-all will be unveiled at next month's Geneva motor show and right-hand-drive models will go on sale in Britain in May. The vehicle will be available in New Zealand later in the year.

BMW New Zealand marketing manager Mark McCutcheon said the new Touring would be the first car-based model to get xDrive.

"It will be available later as an option on the 5-Series and 3-Series cars."

The xDrive system was developed for the upcoming X3, baby brother to the X5 lifestyle wagon. But it appeared this month on the facelifted version of the X5.

The system differs from BMW's previous four-paw unit, which fixed drive 38 per cent to the front axle and 62 per cent to the rear via three open differentials.

The new system uses an electronic multi-plate clutch to vary drive to either axle. On normal sealed roads, power is distributed almost 100 per cent to the rear wheels. But in slippery conditions, where more traction is needed, sensors can direct more drive to the front wheels. If, for example, the front axle needs more drive than the rear, it gets it.

Similar systems are used by other carmakers, but BMW specifically revised xDrive to maintain its rear-drive bias and dynamic heritage.

BMW's Munich head office announced the xDrive option at the launch of the X3 in Spain last year. McCutcheon confirmed its availability in right-hand-drive models this week.

The rear-drive 5-Series Touring hasn't been a big seller for BMW, with most previous models being to customer order. A handful of ix-wagon four-wheel-drives in the mid-1990s moved slowly, too.

"There is a market there but sales-wise it has never come through for us," said McCutcheon.

"Part of the issue in New Zealand is that it is a small market. But the xDrive option now creates potential for the 5-Series Touring in the lifestyle sector.

"We will bring it in. I think the market will start to take notice of the four-wheel-drive option."

The 5-Series Touring is expected to be more expensive than the sedan, the xDrive option more so again.

The range of engines will include the 2.5- and 3-litre sixes and 4.4-litre V8 petrol units, and the 3- and 3.5-litre diesels. The 3.5-litre diesel is new, producing 202kW (272bhp) and a whopping 560Nm of torque at 2000rpm.

BMW says a two-stage turbocharger in the diesel extends the engine rev range by 500 rpm over the BMW 530d, to a maximum of 4800 rpm.

It says the new model also offers greater practicality than its predecessor. Like the previous model, it features a split boot lid, with the rear window opening separately from the rest of the tailgate.

But an optional fully automatic boot lid operation on the key opens the tailgate and electronically retracts the boot load cover.

Additional storage space is also available below the luggage floor with a lockable floor panel supported by gas struts. Below this is a 35-litre area for the spare wheel. A two-panel panoramic glass roof is also an option.

Alfa Romeo is also banking on its new 156 Crosswagon to gain a slice of the lifestyle market here.

The Crosswagon, a beefed-up, higher-riding vehicle with four-wheel-drive for the sticky stuff, will also be launched at Geneva. It is based on the front-drive 156 Sportwagon.

Subaru pioneered the trend towards such vehicles in 1996 with the Legacy-based Outback. The Crosswagon will go into production in Italy mid-year, the first of a new range of four-wheel-drive vehicles from Alfa. But it is not known when it will be available in New Zealand.

"Right-hand-drive is the thing here," said Chris Burger, general manager of Alfa importers Ateco Automotive New Zealand. "Sometimes it precludes us from engine/transmission choices and puts us on a distant timetable.

"Other times it is available soon after left-hand-drive begins. Whatever the production timetable, we most certainly would like it in New Zealand.

"It would be a very good addition to the range. Indeed, we are now looking at engine and power train choices that are suitable for the New Zealand market."

The four-wheel-drive system in the Crosswagon also has a rear-drive bias. The new model uses the double-wishbone/MacPherson strut set-up of the 156 sedan but redesigned it to allow for a greater ride height.

A new Alfa diesel has also been included in the line-up of engines. The 1.9-litre direct-injection unit develops 110kW at 4000rpm and 305Nm of torque at 2000rpm.

The first Alfa four-wheel drive system appeared in 1951 on the AR5-1900, an off-road car designed for military use. It was dubbed the "Matta", or "crazy car", and is now a collector's item.

The Alfa 33 4x4 made its debut in 1983. The layout meant that rear-wheel-drive had to be engaged by means of a lever in the passenger compartment. A central differential prevented any slippage between both axles.

In 1991, the Alfa 33 was fitted with a four-wheel drive system where sensors and a viscous coupling transferred drive to the mostly free-wheeling rear wheels when significant differences between rotating front and rear wheel speeds were detected.

The following year the 155 Q4 arrived, with permanent four-wheel-drive. Soon after, the system was further developed by Alfa and Austrian specialist Steyr-Puch.