The hype surrounding crossovers doesn't seem to be reaching an end anytime soon.
Every single gap is being filled, one crossover is getting mixed with another,
which creates a new niche. The funny thing is,
even though there are lots of them, all of them are successful.
In 2016, BMW presented the X2 Concept on the Paris Motorshow,
and today I'm driving the production version. The real X2.
So what did BMW do to turn the X1 into this X2, a coupé?
For example, this small detail. The C-styles now feature BMW-logo's.
That's something we haven't seen before on BMW X-models.
Enthusiasts should be able to recognize them though. Iconic coupés from the 60's and 70's like the 2000CS,
and the 3.0 CSL. Both cars were designed by old man Hofmeister,
who was also responsible for this kink.
If you start to compare it with the X4 and the X6, you'll immediately see that the roofline isn't as extremely shaped.
It isn't as sloped, but why is that?
Well, there are a few reasons. For starters, BMW doesn't want the X2 to act like a shrunken X4 or X6.
That's funny, because when the Volvo XC40 was introduced a while back,
the designer told me the exact same story, only relative to the XC60 and XC90.
This really had to be a different car, which appealed to a younger audience.
There were practical reasons as well. BMW says they've tried a sloped roof,
but because of the smaller dimensions, it looked stocky and wrinkled.
BMW didn't want that. Also, there isn't a lot of room for a sloped roof,
because it would compromise the headroom in the rear. That's why this car looks more like a regular SUV.
On the inside however, it's almost the same as the X1.
A few different details aimed at a younger audience. Some funny colors, colored stitching,
and a sportier steering wheel. Overall, it's still very similar to the X1.
That isn't necessarily a bad thing, because the third generation of X1 has made very big steps.
Better materials, beautiful finishing, it's aimed nicely at the driver as its supposed to in a BMW.
It absolutely looks great. A small, thick steering wheel which feels good in your hands.
In the front, you've got a high seating position as you'd like in a car like this,
and in the back... That's right, it's quite spacious back there.
The legroom is very good. The headroom may be not as good,
but I can sit there with my 1,90 m. The boot offers you 470 litres,
which is 35 litres less than the X1, but still pretty decent.
Beneath the skin, it's mostly an X1. We might not be shocked by it anymore,
but it means that it's front-wheel drive. That's also the reason why we've got this much space in the cabin.
Because the engine is transversely mounted, you have more space in the car.
That's an advantage, but everybody still says a proper BMW should be rear-wheel drive.
We already know because of the 2-series and X1, BMW is able to build a great steering car out of a front-wheel drive system.
That's because BMW has made it a very direct car. The steering is incredibly direct.
Also, this is the xDrive. The sDrive is the standard version, which is front-wheel drive,
but this is the xDrive. That means it's mostly front wheel drive,
but the rear wheels will kick in when you need them to. So if you dive into a corner,
the rear wheels start to dose power, which give you control of the rear when you're understeering.
That way you can get rid of that understeer, and it does a very good job.
The electronics can also detect if the wheels are going to start slipping, so they can be ready on time.
Because of that, you get a direct and neutral steering experience.
The BMW X2 will arrive at Dutch dealerships in March, and it will be available with three engines.
The entry model will be a 20i, a 192 horsepower petrol engine,
which is connected to a 7-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox as standard...
and features front-wheel drive. You can also choose between two diesels.
The 20d, which I'm driving right now, has four-wheel drive as standard,
is connected to an 8-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox, and produces 190 horsepower.
Lastly, for the power munchers, there's the 231 horsepower 25d,
which has four-wheel drive as well.
In a latter stage, other engines will become available.
Amongst them is the lighter 18i, which will be a 3-cylinder.
It will produce 140 horsepower and it will be connected to a manual gearbox.