BMW’s coupe-SUV family is expanding with spy photographs confirming the arrival in early 2018 of the X2, sibling to the X4 and X6 and set to lure buyers to a more urban-focused compact model.
The X2, currently undergoing testing in Europe before production starts in Germany’s wine hub of Regensburg in the second half of the year, sits on the same UKL platform as the X1 and the Mini range.
But above the axle line, the X2 – coded F39 – adopts the swoopy coupe lines of the X4 and X6 and shrink wraps its body over the wheelbase to reduce overhangs and give it a sporty appearance.
The car-maker has been seen testing camouflaged versions of the X2 in snow, in towing manoeuvres and hot-lapping the Nurburgring.
Frontal design is also more aggressive than the X1, with bigger intake openings and a bolder, wider grille. The indications are that while the X1 is a practical compact SUV, the X2 will be more about style and performance as it can become the platform for the high-output Mini Cooper drivetrains.
But BMW is not confirming anything just yet. The car-maker has been seen testing camouflaged versions of the X2 in snow, in towing manoeuvres and hot-lapping the Nurburgring.
What the spy pics show is that the production X2 closely follows the design of the X2 Concept shown at the 2016 Paris motor show. The fact that not much appears to have changed shows that BMW has been planning this car for some time.
The X2 is expected to share much of the technical components with the X1 and the Mini, likely to start with a front-drive model – dubbed sDrive – and rising up the price and specification ladder to all-wheel drive xDrive variants.
The line-up is similar to the X1 but we expect the X2 to have greater access to the more powerful engines to suit the xDrive’s traction superiority.
X2 offerings are likely to open with the 100kW/220Nm 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and eight-speed automatic, then to the X1 stock front-drive sDrive20i 2.0-litre turbo-petrol with 141kW/280Nm and all-wheel drive xDrive25i 2.0-litre turbo-petrol with 170kW/350Nm.
The X1 is also sold in Australia as the front-drive sDrive18d 2.0-litre turbo-diesel with 110kW/330Nm.
But it could be the recipient for the Mini Cooper S engine with up to 170kW/320Nm from its 2.0-litre turbo-petrol mill or even a more potent M engine.
BMW subsidiary Mini has just announced the European launch in June of its first plug-in hybrid model, the Countryman ALL4 SE, that uses the three-cylinder engine mated to electric motor for up to 2.1L/100km fuel economy and 165kW of power.
In Australia the X2 is expected in early 2018 and will compete with the Audi Q2, Mini Countryman, Infiniti QX30 and Mercedes-Benz GLA.
That could also be on the cards for the X2 although cabin space may be an issue as it is smaller inside than the X1.
In Australia the X2 is expected in early 2018 and will compete with the Audi Q2, Mini Countryman, Infiniti QX30 and Mercedes-Benz GLA – all priced roughly in the $40,000-$60,000 bracket.
The first public showing of the vehicle will be at the Frankfurt motor show in September.
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