BMW X-technology 2016
An impressive view at the technology of the BMW X5/X6. First, it is only the part of the body, beneath the outer skin. One sees, for example, the strengthenings against front and side impact in the doors and front, where
the V8 engine needs a little less space than the inline six-cylinder.
With the body the chassis disappears, so that the view of the drive is possible. The front axle drive seems to be part of the oil pan. Motor, converter, automatic transmission and transfer case and the front axle drive are
assembled into a block, out of which two propshafts are derived, to the front and to the rear.
The drive to the front right goes straight through the oil sump and crosses the crankshaft, preferably where it has a main bearing. Even the engine block is adapted to the four-wheel drive because here the front axle
drive is screwed.
The question remains, why there still are needed universal joints in the drive shaft to the front. The shaft to the back is only one combined with two dry joints, although here the vibrations of the drive block in relation to
rear final drive are likely to be stronger.
In the picture above you can see the transfer case and the rear differential lock of the smaller brother. However X5/X6 (M) have two of them. Below the even smaller 225xe which save more space for the batteries back
also can offer pure electric rear-wheel drive. Hybrids of the larger models connect the electric motor mechanically with all wheels. 01/16
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