Jonathan Gitlin
Final week, we informed 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 multiple 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 clients is not going to be provided the battery-electric iX2—BMW’s product planners evidently did not suppose importing the diminutive EV could be worthwhile. Outdoors the US, BMW expects 1 in 5 X2s to be electrical.
The primary-generation X2 (and the extra upright-looking X1) had 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) vast, and 62.6 inches (1,590 mm) tall. That interprets to extra rear legroom and extra cargo quantity on the again, nevertheless it’s not an enormous 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 automobile to emerge from BMW’s design studio in recent times, though the styling tweaks for the M35i model—a distinct entrance splitter, quad exhaust pipes, an M-specific rear spoiler, and an illuminated kidney grille—are visually reasonably daring. The three-dimensional mild cluster particulars are reasonably 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BMW says it has closely revised the suspension of the brand new X2, which shares an analogous structure to the outdated mannequin however with little or no components carryover. On the street, the principle factor you discover is that the journey is kind of agency, with a whole lot of lateral jostling at low speeds over bumps or potholes regardless of adaptive dampers as commonplace.
It is also not significantly partaking to drive on a twisty street, with little really feel communicated via the fat-rimmed steering wheel. The gearbox’s management logic was ok to not must trouble with shifting manually through the paddles, however a protracted 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 automobile’s inner 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 truly fairly favored the pops and crackles.
Whereas the automobile 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 with out a trace of hydroplaning, though a rear windshield wiper could be a welcome addition.
The cabin design is just a little fussy, and there is a huge blind spot from the motive force’s aspect A pillar that mars in any other case good ahead visibility. The rear windshield is just a little small, alternatively. And on the subject of complaints, the cubby constructed into the armrest between the entrance seats is simply 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 apart from pens, pencils, and possibly 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 possibly can 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 newest model of iDrive, which gives glorious voice recognition and a UI that largely helps the motive force out. However just like the Mini Countryman, within the X2 it feels as if the infotainment system is underpowered.
Nevertheless, I did lastly take a look at BMW’s in-car gaming, which additionally appeared within the BMW i5 we examined final yr. It is referred to as AirConsole, and you employ 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 also needs to reward the augmented view for the navigation system, which overlays huge arrows onto a video feed to indicate you precisely which flip it desires you to take. The My BMW App integration can also be reasonably nicely applied—you should utilize an Android or iOS cellphone as a digital key for the automobile, in addition to remotely lock and unlock the doorways or the cargo hatch.
If all of that sounds compelling, it’s best to already have the ability to discover the X2 M35i in inventory at BMW dealerships.