BMW has given us full details of a new hybrid version of its smallest crossover, called the X2 xDrive25e, along with minor updates for the entire X2 line-up. It goes on sale in Ireland later this year.
Plug-in hybrid power for X2
The plug-in hybrid version is called the X2 xDrive25e. Up front is a turbocharged 1.5-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine, as we've seen in various BMW Group products. It makes 125hp and 220Nm of torque, which is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox. Turning the rear wheels is a synchronous 70kW electric motor (that's 95hp), producing 165Nm of torque from rest. BMW quotes maximum power and torque outputs, when the engine and motor are working together, of 220hp and 385Nm, respectively. Hence this X2's ability to accelerate off the line and dispatch the 0-100km/h sprint in just 6.8 seconds.
A 10kWh lithium-ion battery powers the electric motor. That allows an electric-only range of some 57km on the WLTP cycle and, if the driver chooses the Max eDrive mode, the X2 can top 135km/h using just electricity. The standard driving mode is called Auto eDrive, while the driver may also maintain the battery charge (or increase it to a target percentage) using the Save Battery setting. BMW quotes a CO2 emissions figure of 43g/km, with fuel consumption of 1.9 litres/100km. Obviously, as with all plug-in hybrids, you'll need to charge up the battery regularly from an external source to have a hope of getting near the latter.
Aesthetic updates
All versions of the BMW X2 get a modestly restyled front end, though its detail design varies between trim levels. The most significant change is the deletion of the X2's distinctive circular fog lights. Their functionality is now moved to the new LED headlight units (standard across the range), which get a 'bad weather light' function. This uses the cornering light hardware to illuminate the sides of the road.
The X2 xDrive25e gets a few unique buttons and menu displays for its hybrid system. It has the same 40:20:40 split-fold rear seat backs as in other X2s, though overall boot space is reduced a little to allow packaging of the hybrid system. BMW quotes 410 litres with the rear seats in use, and up to 1,290 litres with them folded down. That compares to 470-1,355 litres for the non-hybrid models.
High level of standard equipment
It will be possible to order the xDrive25e model in conjunction with most trim levels, including Sport, xLine and M Sport, while it always comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control (this can be set using the BMW Connected app on a remote smartphone) and a new acoustic warning to pedestrians when running on battery power. Irish pricing has yet to be confirmed, but, going on the BMW X1 xDrive25e, with which the new X2 hybrid shares its underpinnings, we'd expect the latter to be on a par with the X2 xDrive20i and xDrive18d, so somewhere around €49,500.