The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
X marks the spot for new BMW SUV
Full details of BMW’s Range Rover Evoque rival.
BMW is targeting the young and trendy with its new X2, which goes on sale in March.
It sits below the X5 and X3 (and the weird SUV/coupe hybrid X6 and X4) in BMW’s “X” line up.
Slightly shorter and a lot lower than its sister car the X1, the X2 is aimed at more youthful buyers. To this end, it has plenty of technology onboard including wireless charging, a wifi hotspot and self-parking.
First shown in concept form last year, the X2 is one of the final pieces in the X puzzle, along with the large X7 that will also join the range next year.
Described as “a new breed of car” by BMW, the X2 is a coupe-styled SUV that will take on style-focused rivals including the Range Rover Evoque and new Volvo XC40, as well as the upcoming Jaguar E-Pace.
It’s aimed at affluent younger buyers who want the practicality of an SUV without a traditionally boxy shape.
Prices start at a fairly steep £33,980, making it more expensive than rivals such as the Jaguar E-Pace and Range Rover Evoque. Many buyers will go for finance deals, however, and these should be competitive. More basic-spec models will also join the range later on, bringing down the entry price.
At launch there’s the choice of three engines: a 2.0 petrol with 190bhp, and two diesels with either 187 or 228bhp.
As you’d expect, the lower-powered diesel is the most frugal, returning 61.4mpg, according to official figures.
More petrol and diesel engines will join the range later on, and there’s a choice of front or four-wheel drive.
There’s no word yet but I’d be surprised if a hybrid model wasn’t offered at some point.
Buyers will be able to choose from four trim levels: SE, Sport, M Sport and M Sport X. Even entry-level SE comes with plenty of equipment, including cruise control, sat-nav, 17in alloy wheels, front fog lights and dual-zone climate control.
As standard, every X2 will come with BMW’s iDrive infotainment and navigation system presented on a 6.5in screen, which grows to 8.8in in higher-spec versions. There’s also a range of connected features, with drivers now able to share their arrival time at a destination using the iDrive system.
As with most modern BMW models, drivers will be able to select between Comfort, Eco Pro and Sport driving modes, which adjust the gearbox, engine and steering settings.
Being a BMW, the options list is enormous, with plenty of scope to buy expensive add ons for your car. Among these is the Driving Assistant Plus package, which includes adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assistance, meaning the car can accelerate, brake and steer itself within a lane at speeds of up to 87mph. The driver must have at least one hand on the steering wheel for it to work, though.