BMW has launched yet another small crossover based on the front-wheel drive-based UKL architecture, the BMW X2, and it’s making its official debut today at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show. This is actually quite a big deal, as the X2 will put BMW in a segment that’s getting quite popular and gaining quite a lot of traction. The market for small, sporty and attractive crossovers is becoming quite big, especially in America, so the X2 gives BMW a car to compete in this growing market. So the fact that it’s launching in Detroit is actually a big deal.
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Based on the aforementioned UKL architecture, the BMW X2 is, indeed, front-wheel drive based. However, at least in America, it will only be offered as a BMW X2 xDrive28i, which means it will only come with all-wheel drive and only have the brand’s B48 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. That 228 hp engine will be mated to an eight-speed automatic and will power its front-biased all-wheel drive system. So it will be front-wheel drive most of the time but send power to the rear wheels as needed. According to BMW, it can get from 0-60 mph in about six seconds, which isn’t too shabby.
What will really sell the X2, though, is its design. It’s far more stylish and aggressive than the X1 it shares its platform with. It’s lower, sharper and far more dynamic looking than the X1. In fact, it makes the X1 looks positively huge. It also has some interesting design quirks, such as the seemingly upside-down Kidney Grilles and the BMW roundel on the C-pillar. That latter bit is really quite awesome and harkens back to cars like the BMW 3.0 CS.
However, all of that style will cost you. Whereas the BMW X1 starts life at $33,900, the BMW X2, which is almost mechanically identical and smaller, starts at $38,400. With options, it gets will into the $40,000-range. Hey, at least it looks good.
Seen at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show, wearing its M Sport X Line trim and Galvanic Gold Metallic paint, the BMW X2 drew quite a decent crowd. It’s definitely an interesting look car and one that customers are likely to love.
This should give a run for people money. This model and colorway will be a buyers satisfaction!
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Still looks like it could be a Concept car! :)
I’m guessing you mean that’s a good thing !
Yes, absolutely! 😆
It’s still FWD… :/
Yeah… I know. But it’s still a gorgeous car. I wouldn’t buy it, but I’m gonna like seeing them on the road – In contradiction with the 2 GT, which makes me cry each time I see one.
It feels like forever for these cars to reach showrooms these days. Has it always been like this or have they changed something?
I know, what’s up with that? Five months from official unveil (october) till delivery (march).
They showed the Active Tourer Concept here in Toronto YEARS before production. Though they don’t actually sell them here. The lead time was so long Kia had time to do a knock-off for the next Rondo before the BMW was on the road.
When I toured the Munich factory in ’82, BMW were selling half a million units annually, constrained by production, not demand. Now they sell over 2 million units annually & have multiplied their model range similarly. They built their 1st factory since the War in former East Germany for the 1 Series, Spartanburg for Z3 & X5. Original X3 had to be contracted out to Magna for production in Austria because BMW had no production facilities available. When X3 shifted to Spartanburg, Countryman took its place in Austria. Now they are expanding 2 factories, building 3 new ones in anticipation of a further 50% increase in volume. Even though X2 is probably just an addition to existing X1 assembly line, consider meeting global regulations & supply chains – both Tesla & VAG EV production are struggling due to the latter. And then when 2008 happens, ships of new inventory are returned to Germany because the market dries up. Or, a ship is lost & they lose a fleet of inventory. So, yeh, X2 is late. I’m amazed when they get them to dealers!
Interior still terrible
” It also has some interesting design quirks, such as the seemingly upside-down Kidney Grilles …”
These newly pentagonally shaped “kidney” grilles as here and on the new 8 series just lose it for me. Pentagonal kidneys, really?
Please look at an E39 or even an E9.
If designers keep doing the same thing over and over they are criticized for being safe and boring. I think this is a great way of evolving the kidney grill… do something different and see how it changes over time. To come up with something new and have everybody love it… it’s harder than you think.
Compare i8 to X7 & it’s clear there is no comparison. BMW have been doing kidneys for 80 years, like snowflakes, no two the same. Still better than Lexus snowplow or Audi horse collar.
Make it RWD-based and AWD… BMW is ruining their lineup…
So no interior pics?! Hmmmmmm
Look in the Misano Blue article. Plenty.
It was a bit crowded so tough to take shots.