Dramatic all-new South Africa-bound BMW X2 revealed

A model that has remained largely in obscurity with very little being said since its world debut six years ago, BMW officially unveiled the all-new second generation X2 overnight as a completely redesigned alternative to the X1 South Africa will be getting in 2024.

Polarising new look

Due to make its first public showing at the Tokyo Mobility Show in Japan at the end of this month, the X2 keeps hold of its coupe-esque styling, albeit now heavily influenced by the X4 with little being mentioned of the previous generation’s links with the 3.0 CSL.

Styled to resemble the X1 and X3 at the front, the X2’s biggest change, relative to its predecessor, is an even lower roofline combined with a still sloping coupe-like rear, yet with a longer rear overhang modelled not only on the X4, but to some degree, the X6 as well.

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Supposed to be identifiable as “a pure-bred Sports Activity Coupe” according to Munich, the overhauled rear with model specific LED light clusters is only the start as the X2 also receives the Iconic Glow illuminated kidney grille surround as an option, along with Gurney flap spoiler in the case of the sporty M35i xDrive.

In addition to the LED headlights, the adaptive BMW Laserlight LEDs can be had as an option, in combination or without the M Sport package all non-M Performance variants models destined for South Africa will be equipped as standard with.

This means the inclusion of the M Sport alloy wheels ranging from to 17-inches to a first time 21-inches, the M bumpers and doors sills, M brake calipers, an M rear spoiler and as on the rest of the X2 range, a choice of 11 colours including a new option called Fire Red Metallic.

Dimensions, space and underneath

Still based on the Mini-developed UKL2 platform, designated FAAR, the X2 measures 4 554 mm long, 1 845 mm wide and 1 590 mm tall.

Its wheelbase stretching 2 692 mm, the X2 boasts an overall length increase of 194 mm, height of 64 mm and width of 21 mm. Also longer is the wheelbase at 23 mm.

Together with the longer rear facia, boot space rises from 470-litres to 560-litres and from 1 355-litres to 1 535-litres with the 60/40 split rear seat folded down.

Resplendent with model specific front and rear axles, the X2’s underneath-the-skin changes additionally involves retuned electric power steering, the Adaptive M suspension that drops the overall ride height by 15 mm and the mentioned M Sport brakes.

Look familiar?

Inside, the interior is largely carried over from the X1 and as such, sports the same dashboard, the Curved Display 10.25-inch instrument cluster and 10.7-inch infotainment system – the latter with the latest 9.0 operating system – standard dual-zone climate control, floating centre console from the iX and the M Sport seats in the case of the M35i.

Along with an expanded range of colours and materials, including a first-time leather-free option, notable options are a Head-Up Display, a 12-speaker, 205-watt Harman Kardon sound system, panoramic sunroof, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Assist and Park Assist to name a few.

First-time EV, more powerful M35i

Up front, the line-up of engines has been reduced to two petrols and one turbodiesel, joined by a new all-electric derivative that wears the iX2 designation.

Starting the range off, the sDrive 20i becomes the entry-level model at the expense of the sDrive 18i with outputs of 115kW/240Nm from its turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine that increases by 14kW/55Nm for short spells as a result of a standard of 48-volt mild-hybrid system.

Hooked to a now column shift operated seven-speed dual-clutch Steptronic gearbox with drive going to the front wheels only, the sDrive 20i will get from 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 230 km/h.

Besides the M35i, the only other petrol variant is the United States exclusive xDrive 28i, which loses the mild-hybrid system but gains the xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

Powered by a conventional 2.0-litre turbo-petrol, outputs are pegged at 180kW/400Nm with a claimed top speed of 240 km/h and 0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds.

Taking prominence as the only diesel model now that the xDrive 20d and xDrive 25d variants have been scrapped, the front-wheel-drive only sDrive 18d also omits the mild-hybrid system, but boasts extensive revisions in order to comply with the looming Euro 7 emissions regulations.

Paired to the same seven-speed ‘box as the sDrive 20i and xDrive 28i, the 2.0-litre oil-burner underneath its bonnet develops 110kW/360Nm, allowing for a top speed of 210 km/h and 0-100 km/h in 8.9 seconds.

For the M35i, the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine from the xDrive 28i as been carried over, but revised to produce 233kW/400Nm.

Up from the 221 kW made by the previous generation, European models will have to make do with the unchanged outputs though as a result of the Euro 7 emissions – a matter that won’t apply to models coming to the South Africa.

Also without the hybrid system, the more powerful M35i will get from 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds and top out at 250 km/h.

Finally, the all-electric iX2, known as the iX2 xDrive 30, gets its motivation from a 64.8-kWh battery pack driving a pair of electric motors on each axle.

The combined output is 230kW/494Nm with BMW claiming a range of between 417 km and 449 km, a limited top speed of 180 km/h and 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds. Worth noting is that the iX2 will not be coming to South Africa.

Wait starts

Once again made at the Regensburg Plant in Germany with production expected to start before year-end, the X2, as mentioned, will be making South African landfall from the first quarter of next year with petrol and diesel variants, as well as the M35i, being available.

Due in the third quarter of 2024 is a second, still to be detailed, electric model, plus a powerful turbodiesel.

More details surrounding pricing will only be announced closer to the local launch date in 2024.

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