When BMW first launched the X1 it was at a time when entry level premium SUVs were still new to the market. Fast forward to today and the market place is almost over saturated with all sorts of niche cars and in segments a lot of us never knew existed. Unsolicited for or not the market place isn’t what it used to be. Audi has its Q3, Mercedes the GLA and Jaguar its E-Pace. All contenders in the same segment and all vying for the affection of a ‘young urban audience.’
BMW’s new X2 is being launched in a climate where differentiation is of utmost importance. Because of its target audience fuel efficiency and connectivity are key as are comfort and style. In terms of styling the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree. The X2 is immediately recognizable as a BMW thanks to the all too familiar kidney grille which has been redesigned for this generation of car. Day time Running Lights come in as standard and are an LED affair but full LED headlamps are available as an option. There is even a BMW badge(or as BMW call it: a roundel)behind the c-pillar paying homage to classical BMW coupés. The wheel arches have been squared off and there is a new side skirt design across the range.
In terms of the interior the cockpit is classic BMW. Some are beginning to say that the design is showing its age and I couldn’t agree more. When Mercedes launched their latest generation of cars the interiors were all new as is the case with Audi. The central piece is BMWs i-drive system which comes in as standard across the range. This can be upgraded to feature apple car play, a bigger screen that is touch sensitive and voice commands.
The X2 is being offered with a variety of petrol and diesel engine variants. At launch there will be three engines on offer: a 2.0 litre petrol engine mated to BMW’s seven speed dual clutch transmission, a 2.0 and 2.5 litre diesel engines mated to an 8 speed automatic gearbox. Both the diesels come with four wheel drive as standard. There is also a three cylinder petrol engine in the pipeline as well as other 4 cylinder diesels and petrol engines.
The BMW X2 is a hard car to place. Perhaps BMW’s boffins have worked out that the profit gains will justify the inclusion of a new car in the rest of their SUV range. To me however, it feels like another unnecessary addition to their already very full vehicle range.
