► X1’s sportier-looking stablemate
► Shares same platform, engines
► Production car testing at ‘Ring
Whoops! Look what’s been spotted on a car transporter with hardly any camouflage on it: it’s the upcoming BMW X2 SUV. It’s the lower-roofed, more sporty sibling to the baby X1 crossover.
The X2 was officially revealed as a concept car at the Paris motor show back in October 2016. Now the latest batch of images show the car on a transporter in what appears to be quite a low-grade specification; the metallic yellow is offset by small alloys unbefitting of a pokier M Sport model.
The new X2 is expected to be revealed by the end of 2017, and these new pics surely hint that a proper reveal isn’t too far in the future. The X2 takes a leaf from the same recipe book as BMW’s X6 and X4, coupe-style spin-offs of the X5 and X3 respectively.
And these latest scoop pictures suggest it really well remain faithful to the even-numbered, low-roofed concept car (below).
These spyshots suggest the X2’s roofline will be remarkably similar to the show car’s; it’s a clever trompe l’oeuil, designed to look low and sporty while actually retaining decent headroom.
Think more level-headed Range Rover Evoque than fastback X6.
Just looks like a slightly squatter BMW X1 to me…
Which is exactly what it is. The X2’s based on the same front-wheel-drive, transverse-engined platform as the X1 (along with the 2-series Active Tourer and various members of the Mini family).
Pop some regular door handles and mirrors on, and whip off those showbiz 21-inch alloys, and we’d say the spirit of the concept car is intact, judging by the latest pictures.
It will also share much of the same engine range with a likely emphasis on the more powerful units, such as the X1’s range-topping 228bhp, 332lb ft 25d turbodiesel. Both front- and four-wheel-drive versions will be available.
The chop-top roof helps the X2 look wider than an X1, and its distinct angled arches will be filled by big, chunky wheels.
Scroll down the page to read more about the 2016 Concept X2.
Read CAR’s review of the latest BMW X1 here