2 weeks Ago By Darren Liggett
IT was World EV day on Monday so what better way to celebrate it than with a review of the new BMW iX2? The iX2 is the fully-electric version of the X2 SUV and as you can see by the styling and sloping rear roof, it is what BMW call a Sports Activity Coupe (SAC). There are petrol versions, too, the X2 which is front-wheel drive and powered by a 1.5- litre engine and a potent 300bhp all-wheel drive X2 M35i powered by a 2.
0-litre unit. BMW’s design has been a little bit polarising of late, you either love it or hate it, especially those huge front kidney grills. And the iX2 has some very interesting design features, like the low-mounted, rear up-sweeping spoiler that sits at the bottom of the back window but looks cool.
But my test iX2 was the xDrive30 M Sport model so the large grill was black and not as offensive looking as if it were chrome, and its surround lights up at night. And it came with fancy 19-inch alloys and other M Sport goodies like red brake calipers, M Sport front seats, M Sport seat belts and a chunky M Sport steering wheel. I, for one, do think it’s a handsome machine, especially in this fetching Fire Red Metallic paint, but you can be the judge of that because, as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
BMW iX2 Cost: From €69,604 (£51,615 in the UK) Engine: Dual 140kW motors Power: 313bhp (combined) Torque: 494Nm 0-100kph: 5.6 seconds Top Speed: 180kph Battery: 65kWh Lithium-ion Range: 449km Real world range: 418km Emissions: 0g/km of CO2 Euro NCAP: 5 stars (2021) Rivals: Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron, Volvo C40 recharge and the Tesla Model Y Being the xDrive version this means it comes with BMW’s all-wheel drive, so power comes from two 140kW electric motors, one on each axle, and combined they produce 313bhp and 494Nm of torque. This makes for brisk, instant performance with the iX2 covering 0-100kph in 5.
6 seconds with a top speed of 180kph. The M Sport suspension lowers the car by 15mm, providing brilliant handling, especially for a SUV (I mean SAC), though the suspension is a bit firm, but that seems to be a BMW M Sport thing. However, it is a brilliant and fun EV to drive.
The xDrive AWD means it has loads of grip so you can really utilise the power and instant torque in any weather conditions. The iX2, like all BMW EVs, comes with different fake engine noises that were created by film composer Hans Zimmer and they work alongside the driving modes, like Sport and Expressive. On paper this may sound amazing, but Zimmer’s sounds are comical at best.
You can turn them off, although there are so many apps and functions it can be tricky to find exactly what you’re looking for. BMW‘s official range is 449km, and after a full charge I was left with a very respectable 418km, but I also suffered a few charging errors which was very frustrating. I had problems charging at home but that turned out to be an issue with my charger, but then to make matters worse I had connection error at a DC fast charger, too.
But while you are sitting in the iX2 waiting for it to charge you can enjoy its beautiful interior and the super comfy and supportive M Sport seats. The seats are covered in soft cream leather and are heated of course, but not electrically operated and there was no adaptive cruise control either. For a BMW that starts at over €60k — my test car with all its extras was over €76k — you’d expect it to come fully loaded with every conceivable extra as standard.
The BMW dual curved screens are a very impressive feature though. A 10.25-inch display sits alongside a central 10.
7-inch touch-screen, but the BMW iDrive rotary control is gone, so the majority of functions are controlled via the main infotainment screen. The sloped roof means head room is restricted in the back so tall passengers will struggle, especially if sitting in the middle. But the boot is a healthy 525 litres and 1,400 litres with the rear seats folded down.
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