Update: BMW Canada revealed more powertrain information
BMW's latest is a subcompact SUV that brings back some classic styling traits and turns others upside down. BMW calls the X2 a Sports Activity Coupe, but it is most certainly a tiny crossover.
The X2 is a bold new look for BMW, although it clearly shares some of its nose with the X7 concept launched earlier this year. It's 205 mm shorter and 70 mm lower than the X1 it shares a platform with, but they have the same wheelbase. That makes it look lower, wider, and sleeker.
Take a look at the kidney grille. For the first time on a modern BMW, it narrows from bottom to top. Stare at it next to the rest of the BMW lineup, and it's quickly apparent that it's upside down. BMW has added their roundel to the C-pillars, a callback to the 2000 CS and 3.0 CSL. BMW says the homage shows that the X2 is sporty.
Moving rearwards from the BMW face, the X2 has broad shoulders and sculpted sides. But the sudden cut-off of the roof at the tailgate looks more 1 series hatch than it does sport coupe.
The X2 will get an M Sport M-lite version, but it will also introduce a new M Sport X version. The M Sport will be visually identified by larger 19 and 20-inch wheels as well as Micro Hexagon Alcantara interior fabric. Six different special trim finishers will be available.
The X2 M Sport X "brings the vehicle’s sporty X character to the fore." Whatever that means. It's designed to look like a rally car, with "add-on parts, decals and paint finishes in complementary colours." The M Sport X will also have "design elements in frozen grey," which is BMW for light grey plastic cladding (instead of basic on black, and body colour on M Sport).
The chassis for all three is designed to improve agility and provide "an excellent basis for a thrilling driving experience." The X2 will have a Driving Experience Control, which is BMW for a new sport mode switch. Dynamic dampers are optional and will add some starch (and 10 mm of lowering) to the suspension. M Sport suspension includes stiffer dampers and springs.
We'll get one engine when the X2 launches, a version of BMW's 2.0L turbo-four. The X2 xDrive28i will offer 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. It will have all-wheel drive, and use an eight-speed automatic that has less torque converter slip for more efficiency. The M Sport X makes that a sportier automatic with faster shifts and steering wheel paddles.
A colour head-up display will be optional, along with Apple CarPlay and more BMW connected services and driver assistance technologies.
The new X2 goes on sale next March.
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