xDrive40

xDrive40 is a designation that has appeared in reference materials and vehicle listings to denote a variant within BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive lineup. It is not an officially documented standalone drivetrain, and BMW does not publish a specification for a system simply named “xDrive40.”

BMW’s xDrive is an electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system that can vary torque between the front and rear axles to improve traction and handling. It uses a central transfer unit with a multi-plate clutch and works with stability and traction control systems to respond to road conditions, throttle input, and steering.

In BMW’s usual model naming, the suffix “40” typically signals a mid- to higher-performance variant within a model line, but the attachment of “40” to xDrive does not define a distinct torque split, hardware, or output on its own. It may be used inconsistently across markets or catalogs.

Because “xDrive40” is not an official specification, concrete technical details depend on the actual model designation. When precision is required, refer to the full model name (for example, xDrive40i) and the accompanying official specifications from BMW.

See also: BMW xDrive; All-wheel drive; Vehicle dynamics; Automotive drivetrain terminology.