Earlier this year, BMW revealed the latest generation of its smallest SUV – the X1. These latest spy shots reveal that the German firm is working on a successor to its X2 SUV, which is set to receive plenty of inspiration from the X1.
Unlike other coupe SUVs in BMW’s stable, the current X2 isn’t really pitched as a coupe variant of its similarly sized SUV sibling. Although it shared the same platform, engines and interior as the old X1, the X2 featured very different styling on the outside, rather than merely adding a sleeker roofline at the rear.
These new spy images show that the next X2 will be brought closer into line with the new X1, acting as a more conventional coupe SUV alternative, in a similar fashion to how the X4 and X6 relate to their respective X3 and X5 relatives. At the front we can see a similar headlight and signature design to the X1’s. The kidney grille shape is also squared off and while there’s camouflage covering the side air intakes in the pictures we expect it to follow the X1’s style here too.
The overall shape of this test car is immediately recognisable as a coupe SUV from the sloping rear roofline, but the ride height looks higher than the current X2’s – giving it a proportion more akin to the larger X4. The rear of the car shows a different light shape to the new X1’s and while there’s no exhaust protruding from the bumper, we can just make out a back-box for an exhaust system.
Underpinning the next-generation X2 will be the same UKL2 architecture as used by the new X1. This means the X2 should use the same internal combustion engine lineup, starting with a front-wheel drive diesel version and ranging up to a 322bhp four-wheel drive plug-in hybrid petrol.
BMW iX2 electric SUV
The platform will allow for a pure-electric X2 (most likely named iX2). Given BMW revealed both the X1 and iX1 side by side we should expect the same for the X2 and iX2. Power will come from a 64.7kWh battery, which should allow for 308bhp and 494Nm of torque. BMW says the iX1 delivers 272 miles of range but the coupe SUV body of the iX2 will affect this figure.
The interior of the X2 should look and feel fairly similar to the X1’s. Up front we’ll see a 10.25-inch infotainment screen and a 10.7-inch digital dash – featuring BMW’s latest OS 8 software. The X2 will have a smaller boot than the X1’s 540-litre capacity thanks to that sloping roofline.
Click here for our first review of the new BMW iX1…
