Article Summary
- Judging by the quad exhaust tips, this fully camouflaged prototype appears to be the X2 M35i xDrive.
- Despite the heavy disguise, it’s clear the facelift will bring a completely redesigned front fascia with a vertical grille, bringing the X2 in line with the iX3 and X5/iX5.
- The real revolution will take place inside, where iDrive X will completely transform the dashboard layout.
Having retired the X4 last year, BMW is down to just two Sport Activity Coupes, the X2 and X6. However, big changes are ahead for the SAC lineup. The X4 returns later this year strictly as the first-ever iX4. In 2027, the X2 will get a mid-cycle facelift before the larger X6 enters its second generation the following year.
Until today, we had only seen spy photos of the electric iX4. Since the next X6/iX6 is still a long way off, it might be a while before prototypes hit the streets. Meanwhile, a new video gives us an early look at the smallest of the SACs, with the X2 spotted testing as an M Performance model. Don’t call it the M35i xDrive, because it’ll lose the “i” as all gasoline-fueled BMWs have in recent years.
The quad-exhaust setup is a telltale sign that we’re dealing with the cream of the crop among the X2 versions. But the big news here is the completely revamped front fascia. BMW is aligning the X2 with larger SUVs such as the iX3 and the next-generation X5/iX5. This vertical kidney grille is also coming to the X1/iX1 next year. Logic suggests we should see it on the future X6 as well.
Minor Changes At The Back, Major Updates Inside
Although it’s fully camouflaged, the prototype can’t hide its distinctive rear spoiler. Since it’s an LCI rather than a next-generation model, BMW might keep the current taillights and only tweak the inner graphics to spruce things up at the back. Doing so would limit costs of what is still going to be an expensive facelift. While that rakish roofline continues to give the X2 a coupe-like vibe from the side, it’s even more pronounced on the upcoming iX4.
More significant changes will occur inside, as BMW will transform the dashboard to accommodate a central screen. The iDrive X measures 17.9 inches in all of the company’s Neue Klasse models, where it comes with something called Panoramic Vision. It’s essentially a projection (not a screen per se) at the base of the windshield. BMW installs three fixed tiles on the left, serving as the driver’s instrument cluster. To the right, six widgets can be customized to display your preferred content.
BMW Will Transform Its Smallest SUVs Next Year
The conventionally shaped X1 will also get the LCI treatment in 2027, but with a twist. While the combustion-engine versions should receive the usual facelift, the electric iX1 is allegedly skipping the LCI and heading straight to the next generation. It would be a major change, as reports state the iX1 will switch to rear-wheel drive and feature cylindrical battery cells. It’s unclear whether BMW has similar plans for the iX2, but it would make sense to align the coupe-styled version with its mainstream counterpart.
On the gasoline side and in light of the upcoming Euro 7 emissions standards, we wouldn’t necessarily count on more power for the X2 M35 xDrive. As a refresher, the M Lite version makes do with only 296 horsepower in Europe, or 16 fewer ponies than in the United States, due to stricter CO2 targets. It would be great if the engineers found a way to align the version sold on the continent with its American counterpart, but regardless, the turbocharged 2.0-liter “B48” engine will continue.
The camouflage should come off sometime in 2027, with production of the X2 facelift reportedly kicking off roughly a year from now.
Video: mr.grey_4k / Instagram
