To keep pace with rivals Mercedes-Benz and Audi , BMW will offer an all-wheel-drive option for its flagship model for the 2010 model year. Based on the xDrive all-wheel-drive system in the automaker’s X5 and X6 SUVs, the 7-Series will only offer four-wheel motivation with the 4.4-liter V8 in the 750i and 750Li.
The system will normally send about 60 percent of its power to the rear axle, though it will be capable of sending around 80 percent for more aggressive driving.
This will be the first time that BMW has offered an all-wheel-drive variant of the 7-Series; Mercedes-Benz introduced its 4Matic system on the previous-generation S-Class and Audi has long offered a quattro flagship sedan.
The announcement follows up on yesterday’s news that an all-new twin-turbo inline-six diesel will also be offered in the 7-Series. Expect both the diesel and the xDrive-equipped 7 to be unveiled later this year at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
