The BMW X2 will be presented as a study at 2016 Geneva motorshow and the series production will start in the second part of 2017.
BMW bosses have given the go-ahead to a new sporting crossover to be sold under the X2 name, and our spies caught it again today. Set to be positioned between the second-generation X1 and the future X3, the new five-door liftback is set to go on sale during the second half of 2017. Even at the begining of the development programme the plans were to built a very sporty SUV coupe with only two doors, the BMW marketing team has decided that a five door SUV coupe will find much more clients than a 3 door version.
The new UKL platform will also be used by BMW’s upcoming X2 – a more overtly sporting model due to be previewed in concept form at 2016 Geneva motorshow before the start of sales late next year. BMW officials have already confirmed that the X2 will follow the style of the larger X4 and X6. It will feature a five-door layout, with its tailgate set at a more extreme angle than that of the more practical X1 to give it a coupé-like silhouette.
Like the new X1, the BMW X2 will initially be offered with a range of four-cylinder engines, with the likelihood of more economical three-cylinder units being added to the line-up within the first 12 months. The power range will start at 136 HP and will go up to 231 HP. The engines will be mated to either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox in combination with front or four-wheel drive. An M version will follow later.
The BMW X2 will be produced alongside the new X1 at BMW’s Regensburg factory in Germany, unlike the first-generation X1, which was built alongside the 1-Series and 3-Series at the company’s Leipzig plant.
Increasing demand for key models and the establishment of production lines for the i3 electric car and i8 hybrid sports car at that site has forced BMW to reorganise its strategy.
The new X2 will have not many rivals due to the fact that Mercedes and Audi does not have a such model in their portfolio. The only competition will come from the stylish Range Rover Evoque which is offered with a 3 and 5 door body.
