BMW X2
WE SAY: MUNICH WANTS A BIG SLICE OF THE EVOQUE PIE (OR IS THAT TORTE?)
The X2 is, to no one’s great surprise, a counterpart to the X1, for people who are willing to swap some space for more singular looks. You know, like the X4 is to the X3 or the X6 to the X5.
What is surprising is that the man at BMW responsible for the project was prepared to say that its main rival is the Evoque. Usually the big three German luxury brands mention only each other. Since the Evoque’s sales have so thickly buttered Land Rover’s bread, you can assume the X2 will do the same for BMW. In 2017 the X models accounted for one in three of all the BMWs sold globally.
The X2 will be bought on its style, so let’s talk about that. Mercifully it has been spared the dire fate of resembling a shrunken X4 or X6. Its tail is shorter and more vertical, to make it more parkable as it’s aimed at urban people. The sides’ surfacing is simplifed. The absence of a window behind the rear door leaves space for a wide pillar with a BMW badge. That alludes to classic BMW coupes, but is also helpful if you didn’t recognise it as a BMW at all.
At the back, an outer plastic skin on the tailgate allows its surface to sit fush with the bodywork (insurers don’t like vulnerable steel to do so). Up front, the kidney grilles have been inverted, wider at the base than the top to make the thing apparently snif the road. But isn’t there a bit too much else happening? Triangular intakes, round fogs, angular headlamps, random grey plastic, general chaos.
Inside, you can have plain cloth or leather, or go all rucksack with mesh fabrics, suede inserts and contrast stitching. The standard infotainment has all you need, including detailed live trafc and connected services. The dash is the a model of clarity and lush materials. Situation BMW normal.
The practicality defcit versus the X1 is pretty small given it’s a ‘coupe’. Rear room is useful, and adults can go there. In fact, it’s kids who might object, as they try to peer out through the high and shallow windows, and the driver’s rearward vision makes you realise why a reversing cam is
standard. The boot is pretty good, with a deepish belly below the foor adding to its gulp, though the small tailgate aperture hinders loading bulky stuf.
Underneath it’s familiar: BMW and Mini’s transverse-engined platform in its larger size (X1, 2AT, Countryman, Clubman). From the start the selection box includes 20i petrol as FWD and 20d as AWD. They both make about 190bhp. Surprisingly the petrol emits almost the same CO as the diesel. That’s because it has a new 7spd dual-clutch ’box vs the diesel’s 8spd auto, weighs 140kg less and escapes the AWD’s internal friction. Plus the fuel is less carbon-dense than diesel.
Out on the road, there’s a lot to be said for the X2. Compared with crossover rivals its powertrain is smoother, quieter and more willing. While the suspension is on the frmish side, it doesn’t upset you. Its motions are progressive and there’s little of the straight-line lateral jiggle that many crossovers engender. Even the lo-pro tyres don’t make much road noise over coarse surfaces or clang through potholes. It uses the spring travel well in corners too. Body lean is well-controlled, the steering precise if numbish. Things happen as you’d expect and it’s easy to be smooth and accurate.
But it isn’t very playful – certainly less than the 320d xDrive Touring that costs the same. Still, with Minis, the FWD versions are more fun than the AWD, so maybe here too. I wish they’d had the FWD petrol for me to test.