We've arrived in Lisbon, Portugal with one mighty task in mind; to drive the new BMW X2. Soon enough it's in front of us, shimmering in its signature colour dubbed Galvanic Gold. The front is pin-sharp and aggressive. At the rear, there are massive exhaust outlets measuring 90mm across like on the X6. In fact let's talk about the X6 and how it is the sporty coupe version of the X5, and how the X4 plays a similar game with the X3. The X2 naturally then is a slipperier X1, shorter and squatter with a lower driving position yet less coupe- and more hatch-like in profile than the other even-numbered X cars.
This results in a lower than you'd expect driving position which when mated to the sportier suspension and torquey nature of our diesel test car makes for a very engaging drive. Think warm front wheel drive hatchback blesses with some of the suspension gubbins of the Mini Countryman JCW and you get an idea of the dynamics at play.
There'll be no manual versions in South Africa rather a selection of autos. That's a Seven-speed item in the petrol and eight speeds in the diesel, with sporty Steptronics optional. If the gold paint is too much you have the option of Misano Blue and Sunset Orange, and then there's the M Sport X body kit that endows it with even more edge. As a result, pricing spans between R644,262 and R725,554 - not exactly cheap but then it is a premium BMW. It will, however, contend in a segment that is reaching saturation with new contenders in the form of the Volvo XC40 and Jaguar E-Pace.
What's that, the X2 is too small, too basic? No fear, this won't be the last X car of 2018, BMW plans to launch the flagship of flagships, the X7 later this year, set to be the final word on luxury. Decisions, decisions.
Pricing:
sDrive20i
| R644,262.00 |
sDrive20i Steptronic
| R646,652.00 |
xDrive20d
| R694,154.00 |
xDrive20d Steptronic
| R696,55.00 |
M Sport X Package
| + R29,700.00
|
