FIRST DRIVE Second take on X2 formula gets big rethink
John McIlroy John_McIlroy@autovia.co.uk@johnmcilroy
FOR the second generation of X2, BMW has treated its oddball crossover to a total rethink. It’s available as an EV for the first time, and is also switching bodystyles.
In simple terms, the X2 moves from being a car that was neither a proper SUV nor a realistic five-door hatchback, to a true coupé-SUV sister to the X1. You can buy the newcomer with a choice of petrol engines, but it’s also being offered as an electric iX2.
The EV range starts with the iX2 eDrive20, which has a single front-mounted motor with 201bhp and 250Nm of torque, and a 64.8kWh (net) battery that’s good, BMW claims, for a range of between 272 and 283 miles. Rapid recharges are possible at up to 130kW, so a 10 to 80 per cent top-up should take around half an hour. This model costs from £51,615.
For those who want their electric coupé-SUV to deliver the straight-line speed to match the looks, there’s the iX2 xDrive30 that we’re driving here. It has dual motors – one on each axle – producing 309bhp and 494Nm of torque, making this a car with real shove (0-62mph takes 5.6 seconds).
The battery capacity remains the same as in the eDrive20, though, so you pay a price in range, which drops to between 259 and 267 miles. And the price increases to £57,445 car, which seems a lot of money.
Sports
At least both iX2s come only in M Sport trim, which brings a fair amount of standard kit. You get 19-inch alloy wheels, Alcantara upholstery, heated front sports seats, a powered tailgate, climate control, a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and high-gloss exterior trim elements.
Also included is BMW’s latest OS9 infotainment system, based on a 10.7-inch central display – but as with the latest X1, without any sort of rotary iDrive controller. It’s touchscreen prods or nothing here.
Inside, the first thing that strikes you is that this X2’s cabin finish is on a completely different level from the first car’s. There are perhaps a few too many textures visible on the dashboard, but there’s no faulting the materials or the quality of the switches. It feels every bit a £50k car – just as it should.
Flick the simple toggle gear selector into D to pull away and you’ll be impressed by the smooth power delivery and excellent electric-motor refinemen
