BMW WOOS ‘COOL REBELS’
OFFICIAL figures this week show sUV sales soaring — they now account for one in five of all new cars sold. so BMw has high hopes for its sparky new X2. The German car giant wants to entice younger drivers — its average customer is 52 years old — with low-slung, sporty looks, sizzling performance, a touch of bling and a price range that starts just under £30,000 to tempt what it calls ‘cool rebels’.
The X2 has aerodynamic and mildly aggressive coupe-like styling, with a funky new paint palette including a bright metallic shade called Galvanised Gold. It looks great in sunny Portugal, but I suspect it may fare less well on a drizzly day in Preston or Paisley.
The newcomer is 8 cm shorter and more than 7 cm lower than the existing X1, even though has the same wheelbase.
It’s marketed at those who drive cars such as the range rover evoque, Audi’s Q2 and Q3 and Mercedes-Benz small GLC crossover. There are all-wheel drive or front- wheel drive versions and four trim levels.
I drove a range-topping allwheel drive X2 xDrive20d diesel costing from £ 34,985 in the M sport X trim, with lowered suspension fitted as standard. Tempting extras that rack up the price include a useful headup display, electric and heated seats, panoramic glass roof, and reversing cameras.
A 2-litre 190 hp diesel engine delivers plenty of pulling power. It’s a comfortable and competent drive around town and on the highway. An average 60 mpg is claimed with Co2 of 124g/km.
on the road prices start at £29,995 for the X2 sDrive18d se diesel. A 2-litre petrol version X2 sDrive20i is priced from £31,445.