BMW’S X2 – Tactile connectivity

By Stuart Johnston

These days at car launches when the term “connectivity” comes up, it’s normally all about how the latest offering can come even closer to turning your car into a mobile phone that you can actually sit in.

For us, the most important kind of connectivity that BMW’s new X2 offers is one of reassurance through the seat of the pants, thanks  to a rock-solid build quality, and also the return of good road feel through the steering wheel. There is a solid weightiness to the steering system that keeps you in touch with the most important connectivity you’ll ever have with your car- that of the wheels to the road surface!

I reckon the term “tactile connectivity” would have been a far better tag-line for the launch of the new X2 than the one chosen by some ad-agency/marketing guru. “Ungovernable” was BMW’s chosen phrase, and it presumably relates  to the hope that this car will be bought by young(ish) people hoping to re-discover their inner rebel.

Thankfully, there is nothing really “ungovernable” about the X2. It is a paragon of good road manners, and  even in the looks department, it suggests serious intent and purpose, rather than anything wayward.

Like a Grown-up Countryman

In fact, if you think of the BMW X2 as a grown-up Mini Countryman, you’d have a good idea of what it’s like beneath the skin, and how it presents itself to its occupants. The new X2 is based on the UKL2 platform, which forms the basis for the Mini Clubman and Countryman, and also, incidentally the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer. This latter car has now been discontinued as a model available in South Africa.

Engine Line-Up

BMW are keeping things fairly simple in terms of the model offerings for the new X2 range. You can either have it in a (141 kW, 280 NM)  2.0-litre turbocharged petrol form with front-wheel-drive only (sDrive), or in 2.0-litre diesel form (140 kW, 400 Nm) , with all-wheel-drive (xDrive). Both these models are only available with automatic transmission. The petrol model uses a seven-speed dual clutch automatic, while the diesel employs a more traditional  eight-speed ‘box.

A three-cylinder X2 is coming

Also announced at launch is a three-cylinder 1.5—litre entry model, which will be available as a  manual or an automatic, from  May 2018 onwards. This car is badged as an X2 18i

Trim levels

The X2 comes in two basic trim levels for now – the  M Sport trim level  and the  M Sport X. The X trim offers various extras and is mainly identified by exterior trimmings in a colour called Frozen Grey, which gives the X2 a more off-road type of appearance. Standard wheel sizings are 19-inch, with low profile rubber, which were fitted to the diesel model we drove first, while 20-inch wheels are optional

Interior.

BMW likens the X2 more to a X Coupe than to a standard Sports Activity Vehicle. In fact the car is pretty much a cross-over in terms of overall height and style, and of course it is also based on a front-wheel-drive platform layout, whereas the bigger BMW X-cars use a traditional rear-wheel-drive layout as a starting point.

There is plenty of rear passenger room in the X2, despite a roof line that is considerably lower than you’d get on an X3 or an X5 model. Boot space, at  470 litres, is also reasonable. It is worth bearing in mind that BMWs don’t have any spare wheels as they all use run-flat tyres, so if you are planning far-flung trips on roads where sharp rocks or serious potholes are part of the road topography, the message is to tread carefully on that low-profile rubber and stiff, sporty suspension!

Getting back to the interior, it is quite conservatively styled, apart from  bright metal panelling running through the dash that I found detracted from the overall appearance of class and quality. The remaining panelling is of mainly good to medium-grade plastic finish, but overall the feeling is of excellent build quality.

Touch screen monitor is optional

There is also an ease of operation as far as the controls and  the central infotainment monitor is concerned.  Standard upholster is a mix of cloth and Alcantara. A touch-screen operation is also optional on the higher-grade infotainment system. There is surface-to-surface cell-phone charging available under the central console lid.

Performance.

The diesel model is the one we drove first, and this engine is so smooth it is very easy to confuse it with a petrol unit. Even the rev-counter doesn’t provide the normal instant clue as to its oil-burning properties, as it red-lined at a high-for-a-diesel 5 500 rpm. In practice it revs to 5 000 revs before the eight-speed ‘box up-shifts, and the changes are extremely smooth. Hard-line performance figures for the diesel are 7,7 seconds  for 0-100 km/h and a 221 km/h top speed.

The petrol engine, conversely, sounds a little rougher than you’d expect at low revs, but smooths out reasonably at higher revs. This one is redlined at 6 500 on the rev-counter, but in reality only revs to just over 6 000 before an upshift takes place.  It’s  punchy enough, interestingly giving a 0-100 km/h time of 7,7 seconds that is identical to the diesel!  Top speed  is 227 km/h but, just like the 2.0-litre installation in the latest Mini Cooper S, it is not an engine that has too much in the way of sweet-revving charisma.

Fuel consumption test-bed  claims are 4,8 litres/100 km for the diesel and 5,9 litres/100 km  for the 2.0 petrol model. In practise, add about 15 to 30 per cent to give realistic use figures,  depending on your environment and driving style. This, of course, applies to all the manufacturers’ claims for fuel consumption, although it is worth mentioning that an entirely new, more realistic set of testing procedures are about to come into play in the months ahead.

Summary

Overall, the X2 is a really good-looking machine, well packaged and extremely well-built. It promises fun from its exterior looks, and the ride doesn’t disappoint.  Pricing is not cheap, however.

X2 sDrive 20i M Sport     R642 200

X2 SDrive 20i M Sport X  R671 900

X2 xDrive 20d M Sport R692 900

X2 xDrive 20d M Sport X R722 600

These prices exclude Co2 tax.