India-bound BMW X2 unveiled

The sixth BMW SUV targets younger buyers and comes with a range-topping 4x4 variant with 231hp.

Published On Oct 26, 2017 11:04:00 AM

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BMW has taken the wraps off its new X2 SUV ahead of its official debut at the Los Angeles motor show at the end of November 2017. The crossover-styled SUV is expected to launch in international markets by March 2018.

The sixth SUV in BMW’s global line-up, the X2 will be followed by a production-spec X7 sometime next year, which will be the German brand’s flagship SUV.

The new X2 shares its UKL platform with the second-gen X1, 2 Series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer and the current Mini line-up. BMW will use the same platform to underpin the upcoming third-gen 1-series as well. Customers will be offered a choice of three trim levels – Basic, M Sport and M Sport X.

Aimed at enticing younger customers, the X2’s design is quite similar to the Concept X2 that was showcased at the 2016 Paris motor show. The SUV’s signature kidney grille has been tweaked, the short bonnet allows the windshield to be placed further ahead liberating more room on the inside a BMW badge adorns the thick C-pillar, and the taut surfacing treatment along the flanks and squared-off wheel arches lends it a rugged look. The exterior also sports a sharply raked tailgate.

The X2 is 4,360mm long, 1,821mm wide and 1,526mm tall, with a wheelbase that is 2,670mm. This makes the new SUV 49mm shorter and 69mm lower than the second-gen X1, which will be produced alongside the X2 at BMW’s Regensburg production facility in Germany.

The cabin of the X2 shares plenty of elements with the X1 including the black panel instruments and a multifunction steering wheel. The 8.8-inch touchscreen iDrive display and a heads-up display are optional extras. The five-seater sports a luggage carrying capacity of 470 litres, though it can be expanded thanks to the 40:20:40 split folding rear seats.

Under the bonnet, there are three turbocharged four-cylinder units available – a 190hp, 2.0-litre petrol that drives the front wheels, a 190hp, 2.0-litre diesel that sends power to all four-wheels, and the current range-topper is a 231hp, 2.0-litre diesel motor with four-wheel-drive.

The petrol engine is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, while the diesel engine come paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

BMW has planned to add more engines to the X2’s line-up at a later date and introduce four-wheel drive with the petrol engine model.

As we had reported earlier, the German manufacturer intends to launch the new X2 in India sometime in 2018. When it arrives, the X2 will lock horns with the likes of the Range Rover Evoque in the market.

Also see: 2018 BMW X2 image gallery