BMW 1 Series gets xDrive

BMW has just added its xDrive all-wheel-drive system as an option in the 1 Series for the first time, and will also roll out AWD on the 3 Series Touring in the spring of next year, writes Brian Byrne.

The Mini Paceman ALL4 will also be introduced in spring 2013, bringing the total number of AWD offerings from BMW/Mini to 69—four of these in the Mini Countryman range.

BMW has increased the numbers of AWD vehicles across the product range by some 50 percent in the last two years.