Of course, the "X2" in the video is not really an X2 because technically, according to BMW, there is no such thing as an X2 other than the X2 Concept the company introduced last month at the Paris Motor Show. But we all know that sometime this year, BMW will launch a real X2, which will be the modern, gadget-laden coupish version of the very successful X1 Sports Activity Vehicle. But that's not the X2 we're talking about, either.
The Mad Max-imized version of an "X2" created by Chris Willett of Sin City BMW in Las Vegas, Nevada that we see in this video rose from the ashes of two Bimmers—a 2002 and a 325ix that were never going to see the road again, so no serviceable BMWs were harmed in the making of this ratrodded offroader.
On the other hand, the BMW 735iL that served as the target for this desert escapade was definitely going to be harmed, but it was already only a parts car, so once the good bits were stripped, it wasn't going to a good home anyway.
This "X2" might be familiar to BMW CCA members or anyone else who attended the 2016 Legends of the Autobahn in Monterey. Fortunately, the owners put on nicer wheels and tires for Legends, which the golf course groundskeepers probably appreciated. We also like the BMW CCA 100 Year grille badge on the front of the "X2."
In grafting what was left of a 2002 onto the chassis of the remains of a 325ix, the builders created a best-of-both-worlds car that seems to tolerate the highway but comes alive on gravel.
We're not sure about the secondary instrument panel, which contains an altimeter, airspeed indicator, artificial horizon, and directional gyro. Perhaps the builders were overly optimistic about how much air the "X2" might get on jumps.
There is absolutely no truth to the rumor that this car will star in a remake of "The Rat Patrol" even though it is pretty ratty and it does have a machine gun. The goal of the endeavor in this video is the total destruction of the 735iL by explosives to be detonated by bullets from that machine gun strapped to the X2's roof rack. We'll let you watch the entire video to see how that works out.
For any viewers who may be horrified by non-factory alterations to BMWs, or the destruction of BMWs, or BMWs driving on gravel, or machine guns, relax. This is a bunch of guys having fun with cars and explosives. Kind of a poor man's Top Gear—I mean, The Grand Tour.—Scott Blazey
[Photo and video courtesy of Car Throttle.]
For a more detailed look at how Chris Willett of Sin City BMW built the "X2", check out this video courtesy of Build Threads.
The BMW X2 also starred in a short action film called "Action! Action!" Here it is courtesy of Black Raven Films.
