BMW X2: Gold Rush
BMW X2
GOLD RUSH
Words by Marco Mancino
Photos by Andy Williams
Between mid and late 1800s, gold fever raged and changed a part of the society, insinuating within the spirit of thousands of people dissatisfied with their lives as the ambition of a radical change in the form of a precious yellow metal, commonly known as “gold”. Gold fever has given rise to numerous tales, movies and characterized a period of economic transition that within a few years gave way to the century of great revolutions, the twentieth century. Today, after more than a hundred years, the gold rush is the one that is played on the stock market, with intelligent financial transactions and economic interests light years away from those epic adventures that brought men to the brink of despair in the heart of inhospitable lands, in search of eternal fortune. In the world of cars, a single model can represent a sales boom or a colossal flop, but that wind that seems to continue undaunted to blow is undoubtedly that of SUVs. In the wide range of its SUVs the Bavarian brand was only missing the X2, but now here it is, a coupe variant of the entry level X1, ensuring quality and the typical driving skills of the brand, without giving up a touch of urban style already found in the color of the model of our test, the same of the very press launch campaign, a Galvanic Gold Metallic that does nothing but confirm that in reality the gold fever has never been extinguished, but has only changed appearance.
“Not all that glitters is gold”, but the approximately € 34,000 needed to start speccing your X2 is certainly no easy money. In defense of BMW it must be said that once you have spent a few hours at the wheel, you will be willing to agree on any financial plan in order to bring it home, since the know-how of the company has been wisely maintained and even adapted to a smaller car compared to the larger X4 and X6, but for this very reason making this one more exploitable in the city, an ideal situation for the model. The X2 does not intend to invent anything new, but perfects an offer aimed at more dynamic and young customers, making the X1 lines now more similar to a coupe, even if the design is not distorted, but rather accompanied to a more soft tail, especially thanks to the 8 centimeters less in length and 7cm less in height, if compared to the traditional counterpart. They may seem like minor differences, but in reality you have to deal with a different car that accentuates driving pleasure, thanks to the excellent engine of the model we had at our office, a 2-liter turbodiesel grounding 190 hp and a good 400Nm of torque.
When we talk about BMW, what immediately comes to mind is the feeling that the car establishes with the driver and the X2 confirms its veracity. The reduced ground clearance will keep you away from rough trails – after all you were not looking for an off-road vehicle – but will facilitate a relaxed drive in the city, especially thanks to electronically controlled shock absorbers and will satisfy the most demanding urgencies when you decide to call into question the great engine torque of the 4 cylinder Twin Power Turbo diesel. There is obviously the xDrive all-wheel drive system that electronically manages the power needed to the rear wheels, in case of slippery surfaces or grip loss, while the 8-speed automatic transmission is always precise and accurate; also appreciable when you set Sport mode, preferring it to Comfort and Eco-Pro. The choice for the wheels is also wide, with the possibility of even opting for 20 inches rims, while the X2 pays tribute to the legendary 2000 CS and 3.0 CLS with the badge well in sight on the third pillar. Needless to say the driving position is superb, with the classic BMW thick-crown steering wheel covered with a soft leather, while around the driver and passenger there is the utmost care for the assembly, an 8.8-inch touch display controllable also through the appropriate pad placed on the central tunnel, climate controls and all that is needed, including the Hill Descent Control that helps coming out of steep dowhills. Finally, Alcantara seats and stitching that recall the color of the body enrich a sober interior, still perfectly able to gladden your time when facing endless hours stuck in traffic.
The M-Sport X spec is what makes the X2 a proper car that does not talk about sacrifices and compromises. Although not all accessories are offered as standard and the price goes up significantly exceeding € 50,000 for our model, what is sure is that you are facing a complete car able to accommodate five people, luggage and also boast an excellent fuel consumption with an average of 4.9l/100km of diesel, while offering excellent performance like its impressive 400Nm of torque already available at just 1750 rpm. The X2 burns the 0-100 kph in just 7.7 seconds, also strong of a low weight that slightly exceeds a ton and a half, while quietness and comfort are also appreciated on long motorways sections, where you will be pampered by the multimillion functions of the multimedia system and the total connectivity you have at hand.
At the end of the weeks of testing and taking advantage of some days of hard weather, the only flaw I’ve encountered has been rear visibility, a bit sacrificed compared to the X1 – this because of the reduced size of the rear glass – but immediately solved thanks to the rear camera. So, may we have found gold here? In part yes, because the new X2 is an excellent alternative to the Range Rover Evoque, has a sporty line and a flawless interior, all combined with surprising performance for the segment. What is undeniable is that popping up between the specs and the available options, it is easy to go up and turn an already important figure into a properly high price tag, but if you can, be tempted by this exceptional gold bar ready to face the madness of today’s roads. You will have less money in the bank, but your driving hours will be better.
BMW X2 XDRIVE 20d M-SPORT X
Layout – front-engined, all-wheel-drive
Engine – 4 cylinder 1.995cc – turbodiesel
Transmission – 8-speed automatic gearbox
Power – 190 hp @ 4.000 rpm
400 Nm @ 1.750 rpm
Weight – 1.675 kg
Acceleration – 7,7 sec.
Top Speed – 221 kph
Price – from € 51.100