Jonathan Gitlin
Final week, we instructed you about our first drive within the new Mini Countryman John Cooper Works, Mini’s new little crossover. This week, it is the flip of a associated mannequin, constructed on the identical car structure: BMW’s new X2 crossover, or “Sports activities Exercise Coupe” in BMW-speak. As we’ll discover out, the BMW shares a couple of trait with the Countryman JCW.
BMW had an array of X2 M35is, all painted the identical “Frozen Tampa Bay” shade of inexperienced, which begins within the US at $51,400. There is a less-powerful $42,000 X2 xDrive28i coming right here as nicely, however North American prospects is not going to be supplied the battery-electric iX2—BMW’s product planners evidently did not assume importing the diminutive EV could be worthwhile. Exterior the US, BMW expects 1 in 5 X2s to be electrical.
The primary-generation X2 (and the extra upright-looking X1) have been divisive vehicles even by BMW requirements. The brand new one is barely greater than earlier than, at 179.3 inches (4,554 mm) lengthy, 72.6 inches (1,844 mm) broad, and 62.6 inches (1,590 mm) tall. That interprets to extra rear legroom and extra cargo quantity on the again, but it surely’s not a large machine—a contact greater than the Audi Q3 however a bit smaller than a Mercedes-Benz GLB.
Jonathan Gitlin
It isn’t essentially the most elegant automotive to emerge from BMW’s design studio in recent times, though the styling tweaks for the M35i model—a special entrance splitter, quad exhaust pipes, an M-specific rear spoiler, and an illuminated kidney grille—are visually relatively daring. The three-dimensional mild cluster particulars are relatively attention-grabbing.
The X2 M35i is powered by a turbocharged 2.0 L four-cylinder gasoline engine that generates 312 hp (233 kW) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm), adequate to propel it to 60 mph (98 km/h) in 5.2 seconds through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that sends energy to all 4 wheels.
BMW says it has closely revised the suspension of the brand new X2, which shares an identical structure to the outdated mannequin however with little or no components carryover. On the highway, the principle factor you discover is that the trip is sort of agency, with numerous lateral jostling at low speeds over bumps or potholes regardless of adaptive dampers as normal.
It is also not notably partaking to drive on a twisty highway, with little really feel communicated by means of the fat-rimmed steering wheel. The gearbox’s management logic was adequate to not must hassle with shifting manually through the paddles, however an extended pull on the left paddle engages an overboost perform for a short while.
BMW
As with the Mini Countryman JCW, the noises that accompany spirited driving are fairly synthetic in nature, being performed to the occupants through the automotive’s inside audio system. This retains noise ranges low for bystanders, and whereas lots of my colleagues discovered the sounds too contrived for his or her tastes, I really fairly appreciated the pops and crackles.
Whereas the automotive wasn’t that thrilling to drive, I used to be impressed with how nicely it coped throughout a violent rainstorm. It dealt with puddles of standing water and not using a trace of hydroplaning, though a rear windshield wiper could be a welcome addition.
The cabin design is somewhat fussy, and there is a large blind spot from the driving force’s aspect A pillar that mars in any other case good ahead visibility. The rear windshield is somewhat small, then again. And on the subject of complaints, the cubby constructed into the armrest between the entrance seats is just too weirdly formed to have the ability to accommodate a smartphone—I am undecided what you are supposed to have the ability to retailer there aside from pens, pencils, and perhaps quick rulers.
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There are some design touches and particulars that you’re going to additionally acknowledge in bigger BMWs, just like the M steering wheel or the intricately minimize speaker fascias.
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The rear seat is much less cramped than the outgoing mannequin.
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There may be between 25.3–51.7 cubic ft (716–1,464 L) of cargo room.
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BMW’s X2 does away with the rotary iDrive controller, so you’ll be able to solely work together with the infotainment through voice or touchscreen.
BMW
The X2 makes use of BMW’s newest working system 9, like the larger and costlier vehicles within the lineup. I am usually an enormous fan of the most recent model of iDrive, which affords glorious voice recognition and a UI that principally helps the driving force out. However just like the Mini Countryman, within the X2 it feels as if the infotainment system is underpowered.
Nonetheless, I did lastly take a look at BMW’s in-car gaming, which additionally appeared within the BMW i5 we examined final 12 months. It is referred to as AirConsole, and you utilize your cellphone as a controller, pairing it to the system through a QR code. There is a Mario Kart clone that is satisfactory, and my drive companion and I attempted a trivia recreation, too.
Whereas I am speaking tech, I must also reward the augmented view for the navigation system, which overlays large arrows onto a video feed to indicate you precisely which flip it needs you to take. The My BMW App integration can be relatively nicely applied—you should use an Android or iOS cellphone as a digital key for the automotive, in addition to remotely lock and unlock the doorways or the cargo hatch.
If all of that sounds compelling, it’s best to already be capable of discover the X2 M35i in inventory at BMW dealerships.
