The BMW X2 – The Four Door Countryman Coupe We Never Got
Yesterday BMW took the wraps off of the first ever BMW X2. Based on the same platform as the Clubman and Countryman, the X2 is a four door “coupe” crossover that similar to the X4, X6 and Land Rover Evoque. Why it’s interesting to MINI fans is that it sits between the Countryman and BMW X1 in size and weight.
At launch BMWUSA will be offering one engine – the same 2.0l found in the JCW Clubman and Countryman producing 228 hp and 258 lb-ft for a 0-60 mph of 6.3 seconds (that’s .3 seconds slower than the JCW Clubman if you’re counting). Pricing will be announced in the weeks ahead but expect it to slot in above the X1 which currently has an MSRP of $35,900. We’d guess the X2 will be come with more standard equipment (LEDs in the US for instance) and be priced just under $40k.
The highlights the X2 are really the looks and packaging. BMW designers have re-shaped the X1 into something that looks a more dynamic with a decidedly better stance. Case in point the X2 is 3.2 inches shorter and 2.8 inches lower than the BMW X1, yet has the same wheelbase. This gives the X2 a more muscular and sleek look – something the X1 cannot lay claim to. In fact there are elements that remind us of the ill-fated Mini Paceman – the crossover Coupe that MINI launches in 2013. That car was meant to fill this same niche but struggled with only two doors (in a world where four seems to be an expectation in every category).
Rumors were rampant a few years ago that MINI would be bringing it’s own four door crossover coupe to market around the time of the X2. Sources tell us that those plans were shelved as MINI decided to focus on core products for the F generation.
Because of that this will likely be the closest we get to a MINI four door crossover coupe. What are your thoughts? Would you consider the X2? Would you have considered a four door Pacemen based on the new Countryman? Let us know below.
<p>Very nice – that’s the way to do it.</p>
<p>Would I have bought a Paceman with four doors? Maybe, but the Paceman’s troubles ran deeper than that. To nickname it ‘The Titanic’ might sound dramatic, but the Paceman was a car that was sunk almost as soon as it was launched.</p>
<p>The Countryman was an instant success – but then the Paceman came along, with all the things that had made the Countryman great taken out. To add insult to injury we were expected to pay more money for it.</p>
<p>The final knock-out blow, however, was the 2013 on-sale date which came too late in the life-cycle of the R-Series range. From the day the F56 went on sale, the Paceman became obsolete, and its already disappointing sales fell away as fast as a ‘Lead Zeppelin’.</p>
<p>The poor little Paceman never stood a chance.</p>
<p>I suspect the X2 will be tuned more like the Countryman, and less like the X1, not to mention it’s virtually the same size as the Countryman (length, cargo volume). Otherwise, why bother with the X2, if it’s merely a repackaged X1?</p>
<p>Countryman JCW vs. X2 will be a very interesting comparison test!</p>
<p>Looks like BMW is stepping up to the plate to match the new T-roc and XC40.
If the internal packing is useful (I have two dogs) I may consider it as it appears to have similar ~ 50 cu ft interior space as the Countryman.
If the rear seat doesn’t fold flat, then all bets are off.</p>
<p>I fondly imagine that one of the X2 stylists had a ‘Eureka Moment’ while turning BMW’s signature kidney grille upside down. The first time it has ever been done on a production model and the effect is astonishing.</p>
<p>Configurator live in France. Max gasoline engine is same as MINI Cooper Countryman S’s (B46?), 189/192 HP.</p>
<p>B48</p>
<p>How is the 189HP version distinguished from the 231HP version
(i.e. BMW 2.0 and 2.8)?</p>
<p>Anyway, in France the X2 is getting the Countryman and Countryman S engines, but not the JCW’s (at least at launch).</p>
<p>I’m not that familiar with US B46 engine, but it’s much the same as the European B48 except for emissions. The B46 replaced the B48 in the US a couple of years or so ago.</p>
<p>In either case, the more powerful engine gets reworked pistons, a new turbocharger and a higher-flow exhaust. Apart from emissions, overall performance between B46 and B48 is much the same.</p>
<p>I’m not usually an SUV guy but this looks great. Agressive with striking details. Unless you needed the extra room I don’t know how you could stand in a BMW dealer and choose an X1 over this. An interesting note on the design…the hofmeister kink is a major departure from kinks of BMW past.</p>