For the first time, BMW has paired its X2 with a fully-electric version whilst axing the diesel option. This means that BMW now has at least one pure electric vehicle in all major model segments and is aiming to have more than two million fully-electric vehicles on the road by the end of 2025. The iX2 xDrive30 broadens BMW’s ‘eco-friendly’ offering, and boasts significantly larger dimensions and a pronounced coupé silhouette.
BMW expects the iX2 to build on the success of the original X2 model, of which more than 380,000 examples were sold worldwide. And it’s easy to understand why the brand would think that, as the iX2 is one of the more enjoyable EVs currently on the market; it’s practical and easy to live with, and offers supreme traction and directional stability on the road.
The BMW iX2 xDrive30 features two electric motors which together generate 313hp (including temporary boost) and 494Nm of torque. Like the motors, the high-voltage battery in the iX2 is the product of the latest, fifth generation of BMW eDrive technology. The battery is installed in a space-saving position in the car’s underfloor section and provides 64.8kWh of usable energy. This drive system helps give the car a WLTP range of up to 449km, with a range of just over 400km a more realistic target. The well executed regenerative braking system makes the iX2 a very efficient car in urban settings.
The iX2 features 11kW of AC charging as standard, with the option to double this to 22kW. DC charging up to 130kW lends itself to a 10-80 per cent top up in less than half an hour. The iX2 xDrive30 can go from 0-100km/h in 5.6 seconds, and has a top speed of 180km/h.
The latest BMW X2, and indeed iX2, has grown by 194mm in length over its predecessor, to 4,554mm. This means the model also stretches 54mm beyond the BMW X1. Its wheelbase is now 2,692mm (up 22mm), and it also stands 21mm wider, at 1,845mm. The vehicle height is 1,590mm, up 64mm compared with its predecessor. Space for rear passengers is seriously impressive for a coupé-like car, with knee room expanded by 25mm. The iX2 has a boot capacity of up to 525-litres, with all seats ups, which can be increased to 1,400-litres with the second row fully folded. An automatic tailgate operation comes as standard.
Up front, the driver benefits from a large spread of driver assistant systems that enable automated driving and parking, and in the innovative digital services delivered by the new BMW iDrive with QuickSelect and BMW Operating System 9. Standard features include collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist warning with braking function, and crossroads warning. It can also warn the driver of pedestrians and cyclists who are parallel to the road and approaching the vehicle from the front or rear when turning left.
The xDrive30 M Sport is the base vehicle model for the iX2 in Ireland, which inevitably comes with a price, as it starts from €69,604. My test model featured the M Sport package Pro (€2,104.94) and the Technology Pack (€2,068.01), bumping the price up to €76,311. The former adds the likes of M Sport seat belts and a spoiler, while the Technology Pack gives you soundproofing glass, adaptive LED headlights and storage for wireless charging.
While the BMW iX2 may not be the prettiest model in the brand’s current range, it does serve as another fine example in BMW’s ramp-up of electric mobility.
