Photo: CarPix
The current BMW X1 generation brought two things for the smallest of the Bavarians sports activity vehicles. One was well received, the other a bit frowned upon but ultimately harmless.
We're talking about the very welcome change in size and design. The previous X1, the E84 model, was extremely cramped inside and it didn't offer much in the sense of luggage room either. However, it was based on the 3 Series platform, which neatly brings us to the not so great novelty of the new F48 X1.
That would be its front-wheel-drive platform. BMW hardcore fans have this obsession with rear-wheel-drive even though the majority of owners couldn't care less. In fact, an older survey on 1 Series owners revealed most of them didn't even know the small hatchback was RWD. The 2016 X1 shared its underpinnings with the 2 Series Active Tourer (the harbinger of the apocalypse for BMW as the first FWD model), but unlike the premium MPV, the SAV was much more likely to be ordered with the xDrive all-wheel-drive system, making its FWD nature less of a nuisance.
Like the good brothers that they are, The 2018 X2 will share everything with the X1, making most things about its launch extremely predictable. Despite the digital camouflage used by BMW, the exterior design isn't a doubt either as we can clearly see all body lines. The only things that remain partially covered are the lights, but between the Concept X shown in 2016 in Paris and the X1, we pretty much have those figured out as well.
The X2 is supposed to be a sleeker, sportier version of the X1 - like the X4 is to the X3 and the X6 to the X5. However, the thing with these coupe SUVs (or SAVs, if you like) is that the further down in the range you go, the least sense they start to make. And, don't get us wrong, there are those who debate it for the larger models as well.
To make matters worse for the X2, the new X1 has a much-improved exterior design, making the former's compromises on practicality seem unjustified. Why struggle with a lower roof, a tiny rear window, and a smaller boot when all you get in exchange is a 4 percent sexier vehicle?
Some people will definitely have an answer to that, and they're the ones BMW is relying upon to buy the X2. The powertrain range should be identical to the X1's, meaning three- and four-cylinder diesel and gasoline turbos, all culminating with the M25i xDrive doing 300 hp.
Sales of the X2 are expected to debut next year, with BMW adopting a less orthodox approach to its launch by having the camouflaged production-ready car shown ahead of the official unveil. Whether that'll tease or dilute the people's interest for the coupe SAV remains to be seen.
That would be its front-wheel-drive platform. BMW hardcore fans have this obsession with rear-wheel-drive even though the majority of owners couldn't care less. In fact, an older survey on 1 Series owners revealed most of them didn't even know the small hatchback was RWD. The 2016 X1 shared its underpinnings with the 2 Series Active Tourer (the harbinger of the apocalypse for BMW as the first FWD model), but unlike the premium MPV, the SAV was much more likely to be ordered with the xDrive all-wheel-drive system, making its FWD nature less of a nuisance.
Like the good brothers that they are, The 2018 X2 will share everything with the X1, making most things about its launch extremely predictable. Despite the digital camouflage used by BMW, the exterior design isn't a doubt either as we can clearly see all body lines. The only things that remain partially covered are the lights, but between the Concept X shown in 2016 in Paris and the X1, we pretty much have those figured out as well.
The X2 is supposed to be a sleeker, sportier version of the X1 - like the X4 is to the X3 and the X6 to the X5. However, the thing with these coupe SUVs (or SAVs, if you like) is that the further down in the range you go, the least sense they start to make. And, don't get us wrong, there are those who debate it for the larger models as well.
To make matters worse for the X2, the new X1 has a much-improved exterior design, making the former's compromises on practicality seem unjustified. Why struggle with a lower roof, a tiny rear window, and a smaller boot when all you get in exchange is a 4 percent sexier vehicle?
Some people will definitely have an answer to that, and they're the ones BMW is relying upon to buy the X2. The powertrain range should be identical to the X1's, meaning three- and four-cylinder diesel and gasoline turbos, all culminating with the M25i xDrive doing 300 hp.
Sales of the X2 are expected to debut next year, with BMW adopting a less orthodox approach to its launch by having the camouflaged production-ready car shown ahead of the official unveil. Whether that'll tease or dilute the people's interest for the coupe SAV remains to be seen.
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