Even though BMW already revealed the BMW X2 Concept in Paris last month and is expected to keep the design of the newest Sports Activity Coupe close to the concept, it is still keeping the camouflage wraps on the F47 as it undergoes winter testing in Sweden.
We can now see more of the hood, roof, and kidney grilles on what might be the final production design. The rear lights and the Hofmeister kink are still covered fairly well although it's obvious the taillights are huge as they wrap around from the back to the side as on the X1.
The X2 will be built on the same UKL platform as the X1 and should have the same choices in engines and transmissions. In the U.S. that means the X2 will probably come with a four-cylinder, two-liter gasoline engine and an eight-speed Steptronic transmission. Elsewhere in the world, the X2 could also have a three-cylinder gasoline engine and a choice of diesel powerplants.
The X1 is currently available to U.S. customers with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Whether the sportier X2 will get a front-wheel drive only version in the U.S. in addition to an all-wheel drive model remains a question. The larger X3 Sports Activity Vehicles are available in the U.S. with either two-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, but the X4 Sport Activity Coupe that is based on the X3 only comes in all-wheel drive versions for the U.S.
BMW has promised plug-in hybrids in every model range, so expect an electrified X2 eventually.
The first BMW X2 is expected in the latter part of 2017 as a 2018 model, and should cost a bit more than the X1. Again, using the X3 and X4 as examples, the X3 xDrive28i starts at $41,250 while the X4 xDrive28i is over $4,000 higher. The current X1 xDrive28i has an MSRP of $35,100 so we could expect the X2 to be at least a couple of thousand more.
Once the X2 arrives in 2017, there will be a coupe counterpart to every BMW Sports Activity Vehicle, and the X family will occupy every number from X1 through X6. The range- and size-topping BMW X7 will arrive probably in 2018 as a 2019 model but BMW has given no indication that there will ever be an X8 coupe version.
There is a possibility that the sporty X2 could get even sportier. The X6 has an M version and the X4 has an M Performance model, so you never know if the M2 will get some form of M treatment.
Too bad the spy photos don't show the X2 in deeper snow. With decent ground clearance, good snow tires, and xDrive, it will probably be a fun snow car.—Scott Blazey
[Photos courtesy of Motor1.com.]
