ON THE ROAD- IAN LYNAS PREVIEWS THE NEW BMW X2 RANGE

There is news of a second generation BMW X2 Sports Activity Coupe and a fully-electric iX2 which will be introduced for the first time, offering a range of up to 428km (266 m) and topping the line-up the M35i xDrive which promises traditional M performance, from a powerful four-cylinder engine producing 300bhp, which, translated into performance, can accelerate from rest to 100kph (62mph) in 5.4 seconds.

I suspect for a number of buyers the focus will be on the M35i xDrive, the power unit of which has various innovations to set it apart. They include the adoption of the Miller cycle, redesigned intake ports and combustion chambers, and changes to the camshaft timing, injection, ignition system and exhaust gas routing. Among the unit’s M-specific highlights are a new, robust crankshaft drive, an optimised system of oil supply for the pistons with cooling channels, and new main bearing shells and caps. The M TwinPower Turbo technology has been upgraded by increasing the performance of the turbocharging system and indirect charge air cooling at the same time as introducing dual injection for mixture preparation as a function of load point. This two litre engine generates its 300bhp between 5,750 and 6,500rpm, with peak torque of 400Nm from 2,000 to 4,500rpm. Many people like sound, along with performance and the rich-sounding M-specific exhaust system features two pairs of tailpipes nestled neatly into the left and right of the rear apron, a signature feature of high-performance models from BMW M.

The drive power is relayed via a seven-speed Steptronic transmission with an ultra-sharp shift action. Besides shift paddles on the steering wheel, it also brings the M Sport Boost function and the M Launch Control function is also available. The transmission also features a built-in mechanical limited-slip differential. Together with the BMW xDrive, this all-wheel-drive system offers fully variable distribution of power between the front and rear wheels, this serves to maximise traction, handling stability and cornering dynamics. Twenty inch M light-alloy wheels are standard and further light-alloy wheels up to twenty one inch are available as options. BMW first introduced the concept of a Sports Activity Coupe with the X2 in the premium compact segment and with the arrival of the latest model it is even more distinctive, sportier and forward-looking.

However to get your driving hands on one, the wait will be to March of next year. Larger dimensions, and a pronounced coupe silhouette and dynamic lines visually deliver a fair helping of on road presence which is also evident in the fully electric iX2 variant, as well as in a large spread of driver assistant systems enabling automated driving and parking, and in the innovative digital services delivered by the new BMW iDrive with QuickSelect and BMW Operating System 9. With the new range of drive variants BMW is confident that this will extend the car’s appeal into additional target groups and will contribute to the new X2 building on the success of the original model, of which more than 380,000 examples were sold worldwide.

The new iX2 sees BMW accelerating the ramp-up of electric vehicles and the German carmaker will have at least one pure electric vehicle in all major model segments and is aiming to have more than two million fully electric vehicles on the road by the end of 2025 and by 2030, it is anticipated that every second vehicle sold by the BMW worldwide will have an all-electric drive system. A flexible vehicle architecture allows the new X2 and iX2 to be produced on a single assembly line at BMW Plant at Regensburg and the high-voltage batteries for the fully electric variant will also be produced at this site.

Ian Lynas