Official: All-New BMW X2 and First-Ever iX2 Are Ready To Rock

By 2035, all vehicles sold in the European Union will have to be emission-free. And we can already see a lot of progress made in that direction.

Several companies on the market are already focusing exclusively on BEVs, but others still have to transition to the future. Most big manufacturers have either released several electric cars or are about to do it shortly. Looking at BMW's portfolio, you'll see the i4, i5, i7, iX1, iX3, and iX, and it won't stop here. ICE-powered vehicles will continue to sell alongside BEVs for a few more years, but most are already getting hybrid powertrains with some electrification.

People who only see cars as a means of transportation have no objection to that, and the masses dictate the flow of events. That's why the success of the X6 spawned the X4 and a whole other bunch of vehicles. And BMW's putting that success recipe to good use with the X2. The German manufacturer has completely redesigned their subcompact luxury crossover SUV into a Sports Activity Coupe like its bigger siblings. Not only that, but the all-new 2024 X2 is debuting alongside a BEV version: the iX2.

I think we can all agree that the new X2 is a huge step forward, at least visually, compared to the old F39. The new car looks a lot sportier, even though it has grown in size. The new model has a wheelbase of 105.98 in (2,692 mm), 0.86 in (22 mm) more than the old design. But there's an even more noticeable difference in the overall length with the new car: 7.63 in (194 mm)! The M35i xDrive version is slightly longer still, while heightwise, it's in the middle between the standard X2 and the iX2.

With these two vehicles, BMW has found a way to build them both on the same assembly line in Regensburg. This facility will also handle production for the iX2's high-voltage batteries, and more companies will likely follow the same approach with their cars in the future. The German manufacturer has chosen Asia for the world premiere later this month, as the Japan Mobility Show (former Tokyo Motor Show) is bound to draw in a considerable crowd.

Prospecting customers can choose between the iX2 xDrive30, the M35i xDrive M Performance Model, and two entry-level versions: the sDrive 18d and the sDrive 20i. The latter features a three-cylinder engine, something I'd be very fond of- in a motorcycle. But at least it has a 48V Mild Hybrid system and should provide enough oomph to make the X2 feel premium.

These cars should start rolling out from the factory by March 2024, and neither variant sounds appealing to you; rest assured: two more are on their way! Henry Ford would be stunned to see the sheer diversity of the automotive industry. With that in mind, BMW will offer 13 different color choices and Fire Red metallic feels like an exciting option.

If you're curious about the iX2 xDrive30, it features two electric motors that can churn out as much as 313 hp and 364 lb-ft (494 Nm) of torque. Despite an unladen weight of 4,618 lbs (2,095 kg), the iX2 can sprint from a standstill to 62 mph (100 kph) in 5.6 seconds. The WLPT range is quite decent at an optimum rating of 279 miles (449 km). I can't wait to see what BMW's BEVs can do by 2035 as battery technology progresses.

For people who still want to enjoy a bit of fun before the ICE goes extinct, the M35i xDrive is slightly faster than its electric sibling: 0.2 seconds, to be more specific, up to 62 mph, and it can also theoretically reach 155 mph (250 kph) if you're on the Autobahn or at the racetrack. And it will drive further on a single tank of gas, at least for the next few years.

As expected, the new X2 and iX2 have more intelligent features inside than any of its founding fathers could have imagined. I hope I'll be able to drive one soon to explore every one of them before I report back to you. One thing's for sure: I'm a bigger fan of what this car looks like on the inside than it does on the outside. But then again, I'm not part of BMW's target audience, as I would be more likely to get a loan for the upcoming M4 CS instead.

This may be the last hoorah before an all-electric M3 comes out circa 2027. After all, BMW aims to drive two million all-electric vehicles around by 2025. And there's an even more ambitious plan: by 2030, one of two BMWs will be a BEV. But let's get back to the topic at point for another minute. I've included a large selection of official photos so that you can feast your eyes on both the iX2 and the regular X2. We'll report back with more information on both models as soon as they become available.