Another BMW goes electrical – we take a look at the brand new iX2 vs its petrol X2 rival

The pleasure of driving has lengthy been a byword with German automobile large BMW.

And its new second era X2 compact crossover – the primary provided additionally in all-electric iX2 type – actually is a little bit of a headbanger. But not at all times for the explanations I worry the German carmaker could have hoped.

I went to Portugal for the worldwide launch and the primary likelihood to drive examples of each variations on sale within the UK, forward of first deliveries from March. So what occurred once we put the X2 and iX2 head-to-head?

The X2 and iX2 choices

Here’s the background on BMW’s child SUV coupe.

The new BMW X2 vary begins from £40,515 on the street for the 170hp front-wheel drive X2 sDrive20i, which mixes a frugal three-cylinder 1.5 litre petrol engine with a 48v gentle hybrid arrange. This permits it to speed up from relaxation to 62mph in 8.3 seconds as much as a prime pace of 132mph.

I drove the extra highly effective 300hp M TwinPower turbo-charged 2.0 litre four-cylinder X2 M35i xDrive all-wheel drive mannequin (in a particular metallic inexperienced paint that may make Kermit the frog blush) costing from £49,430. This cuts down the 0 to 62mph acceleration time to a feistier 5.4 seconds and raises the highest pace to 155mph.

A diesel choice is just not being provided within the UK however an electrical one is.

The first all-electric BMW iX2 begins from £51,615 for the 204hp eDrive20 M Sport. This covers 0 to 62mph in 8.6 seconds as much as a prime pace of 106mph and has a claimed vary of between 273 miles and 297 miles.

Here once more, I drove the extra highly effective all-wheel drive model, the 313hp BMW iX2 xDrive30 M Sport, which prices a good heftier £57,445. This cuts 0 to 62mph acceleration down to five.6 seconds with a prime pace ruled at 112mph.

Accentuating pace and efficiency means sacrificing some vary, however it’s nonetheless a good 259 to 266 miles.

The X2 and iX2: A little bit of a headbanger

Before I start with the meat of the X2 drives, right here’s a observe to the large brains at BMW.

Headbanger Number 1: I think I’m not alone to find BMW’s ever-longer alpha-numeric jargon-laden jumble of letters, numbers and acronyms for his or her fashions more and more complicated and irritating to cope with. 

Computer and banking log-in passwords are simpler to recollect than a few of the designations popping out of Munich. 

And I’m afraid it induces in me ranges of stress not encountered since doing algebra and quadratic equations at school maths classes.

I’m certain the BMW boffins can provide you with a really logical and nicely thought out rationale for these ranges of complexity. But the reality is, all of it dangers getting misplaced in translation. And I communicate fluent German. 

So much less alphabetty spaghetti please, and a return to easier, extra significant and simply understandable names.

Headbanger quantity 2: BMW describes the brand new X2 as a ‘sports activity coupe’ owing I suppose to the steeply raked rear, which goals to present a extra aerodynamic and sporty look. 

This it largely achieves, helped by a big however not monstrously proportioned trademark kidney-shaped grille at its prow.

There’s loads of room for the motive force and entrance passenger to sit down in consolation on sports activities seats, with a floating armrest between that additionally homes gear choice and hazard warning lights.

But whereas this fastback coupe styling could please the designers, it has a particular sensible impression on occupants on the again.

BMW insists the brand new model has elevated in dimension and inside area – and I couldn’t complain concerning the driver and entrance passengers’ lot – however it actually is a good squeeze within the rear. 

Not simply contained in the automobile. Actually entering into the again seat means conserving your head down or hitting the roof. Literally. 

I gave mine a nasty whack after I didn’t duck down low sufficient to get in. And it’s the identical getting out. I’m certain over time the specter of a bruised and battered head will enable you to adapt. But actually?

This is stunning, as BMW says new five-seater car’s peak is 64mm up on its predecessor, that every one occupants profit from elevated shoulder and elbow room, and that knee-room within the second row of seats has been expanded by 25mm.

What else do patrons get? 

Standard tools (on all however the M35i) consists of: 19-inch alloy wheels, an computerized tailgate, and entrance heated Sport Seats. There’s a wise dashboard together with a ten.25-inch digital instrument panel and a ten.7-inch central show with plenty of digital fripperies.

The motor-sport-inspired M35i petrol has bigger 20-inch ‘M’ and many styling tweaks together with alcantara trim and anthracite headlining. Tweaks suspension and sport brakes , a rear spoiler, a glowing kidney grille, and distinction stitching .

If you are feeling you’ve nonetheless not spent sufficient there are numerous particular person and bundled packages of ‘extras’ starting from £1,680 for a expertise pack, £1,710 for an M Sport Pro package deal, and £2,890 for a Tech package deal.

What are the X2 and iX2 wish to drive?

Out on the street the electrical iX2 – that’s the 313hp (take a deep breath) ‘BMW iX2 xDrive30 M Sport’ – was a good and sufficient sufficient drive with a good quantity of energy for overtaking that may go well with small household. 

It’s nimble sufficient because of the all-wheel drive, however it it doesn’t precisely set the world alight. Executed with the same old German engineering precision, it lacks any actual ardour. Drivers looking for extra engagement could also be disenchanted.

It does have that digital soundrack created by Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer although.

The petrol-powered ‘X2 M35i xDrive’ felt extra muscular and exuded a bit extra perspective because of the 300hp M TwinPower turbo-charged 2.0 litre four-cylinder engine. 

Much as I’m a fan of electrical vehicles, on the threat of aiding and abetting killing the planet, I’d most likely select the petrol model of the 2 BMWs examined – and save myself almost £6,000.