BMW has just announced the start of production of the latest generation of the X2, and its 100% electric variant, the X2i, at the brand’s factory in Regensburg, Germany.
The model that BMW claims was responsible for introducing the Sports Activity Coupe (SAC) concept in the compact luxury SUV segment, and now appears bigger than ever, with a coupe style and an unprecedented fully electric variant.
The differentiation from the previous generation is noticeable and guaranteed, starting with the significant increase in exterior dimensions: 194 mm in length (4554 mm), 21 mm in width (1845 mm), 64 mm in height (1560 mm), and 22 mm in wheelbase (2692 mm), which obviously benefits both passenger space, especially those occupying the rear seat, and the trunk capacity – which now ranges from 560-1470 liters in versions equipped with thermal engines (470-1355 liters in the previous generation), and between 525-1400 liters in the exclusively electric iX2.
As for engines, the second-generation X2 will initially be offered in three thermal versions, all with a dual-clutch Steptronic transmission with seven speeds, and one fully electric. But BMW has already announced that in the summer of 2024, a second electric variant will be introduced, as well as another diesel option.
Therefore, at the start of commercialization, the base of the offer will be the rear-wheel-drive X2 sDrive20i, powered by the 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbo gasoline engine with 159 hp and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, with a 19 hp electric motor, for a combined power of 170 hp. Also gasoline-powered, the X2 M35i xDrive, with all-wheel drive, features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 hp, announcing 5.4 seconds in the 0-100 km/h sprint. On the diesel side, the X2 sDrive18d uses a four-cylinder turbodiesel engine that offers 150 hp and 360 Nm, and promises fuel consumption of 5.1-5.5 l/100 km.
The new 100% electric version, equipped with two motors, one per axle: with all-wheel drive, and a combined output of 313 hp and 494 Nm, the iX2 announces 5.6 seconds in the 0-100 km/h sprint, and a top speed of 180 km/h. Promising the battery, with a capacity of 64.8 kWh, capable of fast charging up to 130 kW, a range of up to 417-449 km in the WLTP cycle.
It is already known that the BMW X2 and iX2 will hit the market in March 2024, while in the summer of next year a second electric version and a new variant with a diesel engine are expected to be presented.