Front-drive battery-fed thriftmeister and pumped petrol all-paw monster coming.

COUPE-styled versions of the petrol BMW X1 and electric iX1 – predictably labelled X2 and iX2 - have been unveiled, with New Zealand on-sale in mid 2024 indicated.

The big difference between the X1 and X2 is the latter having a sportier sloping roofline, just as occurs to differentiate the X3 and X4 and X5 and X6.

BMW NZ is putting a bet each way with X2, the car being set to represent in its extreme settings.

We are to see just two derivatives from a wider family spanning petrol, diesel, mild hybrid petrol and full electric entering production.

Cited for entry are a 221kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol all-wheel-drive performance-themed M35i xDrive, for $109,900 before options, that is the international flagship. 

Also en route to enlarge the battery-pure fleet is a thrift-minded iX2 eDrive 20, the cheaper and least pumped of two full electrics.

The latter represents in 150kW front-drive form. It’s price and specification won’t be known until early next year; BMW has cited a 447 kilometre optimal range, measured on the WLTP scale. 

A petrol xDrive20i, also AWD, going to Australia is being steered clear of by the NZ operation; likewise a mild-hybrid model. 

Intriguingly, the all-wheel-drive fully electric xDrive 30 that BMW has prioritised as a launch project does not appear to feature in local planning.

Fossil fuelled and electric X2s are produced on a common assembly line in Regensburg, Germany. The iX2’s high-voltage batteries are made on site. Production kicks off in March.

The M35i can be enhanced with an M Sport Pro package that dresses it up considerably and also brings a brake upgrade. 

It will smack out 0-100kmh in just 5.4 seconds and reach a limited top speed of 250kmh. Economy and CO2 emissions take a hit, though, as type consumes up to eight litres of fuel every 100km, while putting out as much as 181g/km.

In terms of aesthetics, the X2 looks completely different to the X1 SUV which landed earlier this year. The front-end design of the X2 is bespoke, with an alternative, centre-ridged bonnet and a hexagonal kidney grille. 

Inside, the X2 and iX2 gain the Curved Display arrangement of the instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen, with the latest BMW Operating System 9 software running everything electronic.

The X2 has also grown in stature compared to the first generation car, in every conceivable exterior dimension. It is 193mm longer, reaching 4554mm overall, 21mm wider (1845mm), 64mm higher (1590mm) and the wheelbase is 2692mm, a 22mm increase. Increased boot and rear cabin space is touted.