Yahoo Autos BMW Concept X2
As predictably as the tides, BMW subdivides. So, behold the BMW Concept X2, Bavaria’s latest example of automotive mitosis and the star of BMW’s 2016 Paris auto show display. Slotting in between—you guessed it—the X1 and the X3 in BMW’s model line, and as an even-numbered model, positioned as—right again—a coupelike alternative to the X1 and X3, the X2 fills one of the last remaining gaps in BMW’s expansive lineup.
It wasn’t a large gap, of course—nor is this Concept X2 a large vehicle—yet insofar as there is daylight between the wagonlike, front-wheel-drive X1 and the taller, rear-wheel-drive-based X3, the Concept X2 previews a vehicle that could fill it nicely. Like the X4 and X6, the Concept X2 features a thick body and a conspicuously low roof, but unlike the slant-back X4 and X6, the X2’s flat roof continues—wagon/SUV style—all the way to the vertical tailgate. Making the “coupe” case for the Concept X2, then, are its frameless door glass, pronounced rear-shoulder sections, fast windshield angle, and the aforementioned low roof. Another interesting X2 design element is its elongated Hofmeister kink, which starts far forward, well inside the rear door glass, rather than in the rear-quarter-window area. This creates a visual tapering of the thick C-pillar into which a blue-and-white BMW roundel is nestled, just as in BMW coupes of yore.
Other significant design details include the absence of a body-side crease at door-handle level (and the lack door handles, period), a styling element that has been present on nearly every BMW introduced this millennium. Gently flared fenders contain comically large wheels and tires, with the fender arches taking a slight forward lean, as on the Lamborghini Countach. Up front, the highly sculpted fascia prominently features BMW’s signature kidney grille, set low and chamfered into a hexagonal shape, with chunky vanes that angle backward to amplify the BMW “shark nose” effect. Laser technology in the headlamps allows them to be ultra-thin, according to BMW, although the blue X accents appear to have no function beyond looking like blue Xs. The X2’s rear end is blandly attractive, but it could be the back of an Audi or a Volvo or an Acura just as easily as a BMW.
BMW made no mention of what sort of interior fitments or powertrain the Concept X2 may have—it appears this vehicle is merely a styling buck. But it won’t be long before we see a more production-ready X2 appear, fleshed out inside and under the hood. We previously reported that BMW had confirmed plans to produce an X2 based on the underpinnings of the X1, the X2 Active Tourer, and their corporate cousin from Mini, the Countryman. Thus, the production X2 will be based on front-wheel-drive mechanicals (although all-wheel drive might be standard) and, sadly, probably won’t be able to fit one of BMW’s legendary inline-six engines under the hood. Yet it’s safe to say that it will be sportier than the X1, and if this concept is any indication, it’ll be way sexier, too.
