BMW describes the X2 as a Sports Activity Coupe, which is a crossover between a sport utility vehicle (SUV) and a coupe.
It has a lower, sleeker and sportier look than for example, the X1. So far, there’s not quite anything like it in this segment. IHS Markit Ltd, a forecasting firm, estimates that BMW will sell about 62,000 units of the X2 globally this year and 84,000 units next year.
We recently took a BMW X2 sDrive20i M Sport for a drive over a few days to better understand this new offering from BMW.
The BMW X2 sDrive20i M Sport is powered by the 2.0-litre BMW TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder petrol engine paired to a seven-speed Steptronic Sport double-clutch automatic transmission. It produces 192hp and 280Nm of torque.
BMW claims that it can go from zero to 100kph in 7.7 seconds with a top speed of 227kph.
The X2 measures 4,360mm in length, 1,824mm in width and 1,526mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,670mm and 470 litres of boot space.
It is equipped with LED fog lights, LED headlights with daytime running lights, multi-function leather steering wheel, BMW M Aerodynamic package’s wheel arch trim and cladding on doors in body colour, BMW M rear spoiler, BMW M Sport suspension, two-sided exhaust tailpipe in high-gloss chrome, 19-inch M lightweight alloy wheels and run-flat tyres.
There is also a six-colour LED ambient lighting, auto dimming rear view mirror, new design kidney grille, two-zone automatic air-conditioning, rear air-conditioning, powered adjusted front seats with memory function for the driver, powered tailgate with contactless opening function, BMW Connect Drive, heads-up display, 8.8-inch touch display, four speakers and two woofers sound system.
Safety features include six airbags, anti-lock braking system, brake assist, dynamic stability control, dynamic brake force display with flashing function, transition control, dynamic brake control, electronic differential lock control, cruise control with brake function, park assistant, park distance control, rear view camera and ISOFIX child seat anchor points.
The fully imported BMW X2 sDrive20i M Sport is priced at RM302,686.18 for personal registration, excluding insurance. It comes with the five-year unlimited mileage warranty and free scheduled service programme, two-year BMW tyre warranty programme and five-year roadside assistance and accident hotline programme.
THE DRIVE
The BMW X2 sDrive20i M Sport is an attractive, fun and modern-looking car.
Its exterior design is an attention seeker. When the car was parked, dozens of people stopped to admire it, with some walking around it to get a better look.
Overall, we managed to clock more than 850km in the X2, driving in the city, on highways, as well as rural, damaged and pothole-filled roads.
The X2 handles like a go-kart. The throttle response is smooth and linear and the gear changes are instantaneous, precise and seamless.
The well-weighted steering is precise and the firm suspension provides tenacious grip on high-speed corners. However, the firm suspension setting coupled with the slightly hard cushion and headrest can be uncomfortable for rear occupants, especially during long distance drives.
Space is generous, with enough legroom, headroom, knee room and shoulder room for front occupants. Due to the sloping roofline, it has stolen some headroom from the rear, but anyone under six feet will be comfortable at the back.
Rear passengers are treated to their own air-conditioning vents mounted at the back of the front-centre armrest. Most outside noise was kept away from the cabin. Some tyre noise and minimum wind noise can also be heard if the X2 is driven way above the legal speed limit.
The 8.8-inch touch display infotainment system is easy to operate and the four-speaker/two-subwoofer sound system plays a strong solid bass.
In everyday driving conditions, with a mixture of city and highway road conditions, we were able to achieve an average of 9.3 litres per 100km (l/100km). Driving conservatively on the highway below the legal speed limit, we managed to record an average of 7.0 l/100km. After some aggressive driving, with maximum throttle input, it averaged 12.1 l/100km.
Overall, the eye-catching X2 will surely gain a lot of interest, especially from young executives. Nonetheless, there are still a few things to improve for the X2. For example, the cushion and head rests should be made using a slightly softer material.
It would be nicer if the X2 would come equipped with a more colour options for its ambient lights and also a digital instrument cluster. Having the blind spot indicator and adaptive cruise control would improve the safety aspects of the X2.