Premium Sedan - SUV Traction

For once luck was on my side. As the rain switched to snow, I was behind the wheel of BMW's 530xi, which meant that four wheels did battle with

2007 BMW 530xi (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Auto123.com)

crystallized H2O, rather than the more traditional two. The "x" in Bimmer parlance represents traction, and plenty of it. Essentially, BMW engineers lifted the intelligent all-wheel-drive technology from their X3 and X5 SUVs and adapted it for use in the 3- and 5-Series sedans and wagons.

The beauty of xDrive is its ability to instantly transfer power to any of the four wheels or any combination thereof that find themselves with grip. The percentage of torque from wheel to wheel varies infinitely based upon driver demand and a myriad of electronically sensed criteria, such as wheel speed, engine speed, yaw rate and steering wheel position. A sophisticated Dynamic Stability Control program (DSC) analyzes the data and triggers wheel-specific loading or braking along with engine modulation to maintain adhesion on slippery surfaces while resisting a loss of control.

It's simply uncanny how perceptive the system is and how seamlessly it works. So effective is xDrive at providing the 530xi with traction on snow and ice-laden surfaces that it feels eerie not to encounter slip-and-slide when instincts suggest we should.

The current generation of 5-Series Bimmers was introduced in 2004; the grip-happy 530xi was added in 2006. Along with the x-factor, 2006 brought a pair of new inline 6-cylinder engines to BMW's mid-size luxury

2007 BMW 530xi (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Auto123.com)

sedan. This week's 2007 test model is powered by the more potent of the two. It's a 3.0 litre mill of magnesium/aluminum composite construction, equipped with BMW's Valvetronic variable valve lift and electronically controlled engine cooling along with a three-stage induction system.

The sum of the parts equals 255 horsepower @ 6,600 rpm and 220 foot-pounds of torque at 2,750 rpm; that's enough juice to rocket from 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) in 7.0 seconds when manually equipped. According to BMW literature, my manual-mode-equipped autobox version would require only .3 of a second more to wrap-up a metric century. These are impressive stats for a large, richly contented 4-door sedan that conceals behind its feline-influenced headlight assemblies, six cylinders rather than eight.

The reduction in cylinder count contributes to the car's agreeable fuel economy of 11.7 and 7.9 litres of petrol per 100 kilometres of city and highway driving respectively (20/29 mpg). But there's a lot more to the 530xi than psyche-defying traction, satisfying acceleration and decent fuel efficiency- the highlights of which begin with dramatic styling.

Whether one likes the Bangle-precipitated styling of the latest 5-Series or

2007 BMW 530xi (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Auto123.com)

not, you've got to admit its expressive. Leading the car's charge is a traditional BMW bi-kidney grille arrangement, beyond which sharp lines, definitive creases and eye-catching shapes take over. Whether the slightly erratic lines of today's 5-Series is an improvement upon the cleaner shape of the 1997-2003 version is still debated in enthusiasts' circles worldwide.

I seldom have difficulty identifying a preference however in this case, I'm stalemated. Where a definite improvement does show itself though is in ride quality and creature comfort.