M’s first-ever 4-pot performance model is tantalisingly close.
“Sportiness, coupled with a polarising appearance.” That’s how BMW themselves opened the press-release for the X2 M35i when it was launched in September, knowing full-well that brand purists wouldn’t likely take to a 4-banger bearing the hallowed M badge, let alone a M-badged 4-banger SUV. But that’s the X2 M35i in a nutshell and, as we expected, BMW Australia has confirmed that it’s coming here very soon.
“The combination of M Performance exterior details and the M Sport dynamic enhancements heightens the sporting aesthetic and thrilling driving experience of the X2. The M35i delivers style, performance, versatility and comfort, at an accessible price point.” — Vikram Pawah, Chief Executive Officer, BMW Group Australia
At $68,900 before ORCs, the X2 M35i is about as close as you’ll get to a proper M-Performance X2 at the moment, and will serve as the very top-tier in the local X2 range. No M car is truly an M car unless it’s got an impressive blend of motive force and driving dynamics. On the former front, you get a 225kW/450Nm 2.0-litre four-pot turbo-petrol mill, which BMW describes as “fascinating.” You’ll get to 100km/h from rest in just 4.9-seconds they claim, with power going to the xDrive all-wheel drive system via an 8-speed automatic Steptronic gearbox.
And to balance all that power comes M-tuned suspension, with a 2-stage adaptive system, stiffer springs & shocks, a lowered ride height, and a “redesigned” rear axle that BMW didn’t want to talk about. There’s also a “premiere for an M Performance automobile” in the form of an M-Sport differential installed on the front axle. Additionally, the X2 M even comes with launch control, which made us laugh as we accepted the realty that not only are performance SUVs here to stay, but even small ones want to pretend like they’re big boys.
Despite BMW themselves calling it polarising, we’re of a different opinion. The X2 debuted an aesthetic that was new for BMW’s growing SUV-coupe lineup, and brought with it a (purportedly) sporty SUV without the headroom-compromising roofline that most would argue is the highlight of every even-numbered X-Series model from the brand. Instead, the X2 is like a more extroverted & expressive version of the X1, one that puts a greater emphasis on driving dynamics under the skin and lets its appearance reflect it.
And as for the X2 M35i in particular, we can’t help but fall for how it’s so unbelievably subtle. There’s a unique M-Sport bodykit here (with a more aggressive front bumper with silver-outlined side intakes, a more pronounced side skirt, and a reworked rear bumper), as well as 20-inch M-Sport alloy wheels and dual-100mm exhausts, but altogether it doesn’t look that far off from a regular X2. Motoring hacks like sleepers and we reckon a large proportion of the world do too, so the X2 M (which is what we’ll refer to it here on out) will most likely build a strong following without too much effort.
While the exterior flourishes (which are finished in Cerium Grey, as BMW is ever so keen to point out) are all well and good, they’d be pretty useless if not matched by an equally-exciting interior. And where the exterior was subtle, the interior is extroverted: BMW M’s decided to offer the X2 M with standard Exclusive M-Sport seats that are both supportive to sit in and gorgeous to look at, particularly in the red/perforated-black leather colour combination, though a less striking black/blue combo is also available. These seats can be set off further with (optional) M-Sport seatbelts which, if you don’t option on, kind of spoil the look to a degree.
As standard, you do at least get an M-Sport leather steering wheel with paddle shifters, and kick plates bearing ‘M35i’ on them to let you know you’re in something special. But beyond that the cabin of the X2 M is very much standard X2 fare: You get an ergonomically-pleasing dash highlighted by the freestanding 8.8-inch iDrive display, with features like Apple CarPlay, BMW Heads-Up Display, all-round Park Distance Control, active cruise control, BMW Connected+ services, and dual-zone climate control.
Mercifully, it’s not all optional. The Anthracite headliner by BMW Individual is standard, as are thing like the Aluminium Hexagon trim set off by Blue matt trim finishers. There are also standard M35i door sills, a 12-speaker 360W harman/kardon audio system, and those 20-inch alloys. However, a (relatively) reasonably-priced Enhancement Package ($2900) adds on niceties like metallic paint, a panoramic glass sunroof, and wireless phone charging.
The BMW X2 M35i will be on our shores within the first-half of 2019, and we’re very excited to give it a go. Let us know in the comments below if you think the X2 M35i has you bawled over, or if one of its rivals might better suit your mood.
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