New BMW iX2 swoops in to take on the Kia EV6 and Cupra Tavascan
BMW’s first electric coupe-SUV offers just 279 miles of range, but has performance to spare
As the brand that started the coupe-SUV craze when it chiselled away at the roofline of an X5 to create the highly polarising X6, and an already extensive range of EVs, it was only a matter of time before BMW unveiled its first electric coupe-SUV: meet the brand new BMW iX2.
As its name suggests, the iX2 is the battery-powered version of the second-generation BMW X2, which itself is based on the current X1 small SUV with its own fully-electric counterpart, the iX1. Of course, the iX2’s more rakish looks narrow its field of rivals to similarly sleek EVs like the Kia EV6, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback, Volvo C40 Recharge and forthcoming Cupra Tavascan.
The iX2 has a drag coefficient of just 0.25Cd, helped in no small part by its dramatic sloping roofline and blanked-off set of BMW’s familiar kidney grilles – an illuminated version of which is available as an optional extra. Flush-fitting door handles, rear spoiler and sizable rear diffuser also help with airflow.
Only one version of the all-electric iX2 has been announced so far; the iX2 xDrive30 features a dual-motor setup that provides all-wheel drive and a combined power output of 309bhp and 494Nm of torque. It’ll hit 62mph in 5.6 seconds and max out at an electronically limited top speed of 112mph.
Feeding the iX2’s motors is a 64.8kWh battery that allows for a range of up to 279 miles – some 30 miles less than a dual-motor Kia EV6 or Cupra Tavascan will cover on a single charge, while the Volvo C40 Twin can go more than 60 miles further.
Thankfully, BMW's latest charging software ensures the charging rate drops smoothly as the battery approaches full, resulting in shorter charging times. With a maximum charging speed of 130kW, a 10 to 80 per cent top-up of the iX2’s battery should take just 29 minutes from a suitably fast rapid charger like you’ll find in most UK motorway services today.
The iX2 can also charge at up to 11kW from an AC energy supply, such as a home wallbox charger. An 11kW wallbox will fully replenish the 64.8kWh battery in six and a half hours, while a more common 7.4kW unit will do the same job in closer to ten and a half hours.
We expect if the iX2 proves popular BMW will add a single-motor version, like it did with the iX1. The iX1 xDrive20 uses one electric motor to drive its front wheels, which produces a much less potent 204bhp and 247Nm of torque. The lesser-powered iX1’s 0-62mph time is more than three seconds slower as a result, but it also boasts a longer range of 296 miles versus 272 for the dual-motor iX1 xDrive30.
The iX2’s 10.7-inch touchscreen and 10.25-inch digital driver’s display run the latest version of BMW’s iDrive called Operating System 9 and includes a new “QuickSelect” feature for the central display that we recently got to experience in the new BMW i5. It offers shortcuts and allows you to activate functions without needing to dive into various submenus, meanwhile icons for direct access to the climate control menu can be found at the bottom of the touchscreen.
The BMW iX2 xDrive30 is available to order now with prices starting from £56,540. The iX2 comes in M Sport specification as standard, equipped with adaptive M suspension, sport steering, LED headlights, 19-inch alloy wheels, Veganza/Alcantara heated sport seats, a leather steering wheel with paddle shifters, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, two-zone climate control, a powered tailgate and reversing camera, plus a suite of driver assistance systems.
The BMW iX2 will be produced on the same assembly line as the regular X2 at BMW’s plant in Regensburg, Germany, with the iX2’s high-voltage batteries also being produced at the site.
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