The new BMW X2 in Israel focuses on electricity, petrol, and pricing

The BMW X2, BMW's "coupé-crossover" shape for the X1, has arrived in Israel in two driving configurations. This is the second generation of the model, continuing BMW's approach to offering identical cars that use petrol and electric propulsion, as it does with the X3 and X1 in the 5 series, 7 series, and more.

The exterior design enhances the new look of BMW models, with sleek and straight lines, but it is mainly the large (some would say too big) grille that catches most attention. The new model is larger than the outgoing one, with 4.55 cm in length (an addition of 19 cm), a width of 1.84 cm (an addition of 2 cm), and a growth of 6.5 cm in height, reaching 159 cm. The wheelbase has increased by 2 cm to 2.69 meters, and the cargo volume has also increased to 515 liters (an addition of 45 liters).

In the passenger compartment, the model forgoes operating car systems through the iDrive system and replaces it with operation through a 10.25-inch multimedia screen. The 10.25-inch instrument panel and the equipment in the "Design" finishing levels (the entry-level version for electric propulsion) include a sunroof, electric cargo compartment opening, LED lighting, adaptive suspension, wireless charging for mobile phones, electric driver's seat adjustment, split climate control with rear vents, phone-controlled opening, Android and Apple compatibility, and more. In the entry-level version for petrol propulsion, the finishing level is more basic and does not include adaptive suspension, non-adaptive LED lighting, no power folding for side mirrors, and no wireless charging pad. The higher-level finishing levels, called M Sport in both versions, add electric adjustment for the passenger seat, 19-inch wheels, full M Sport design packages, an upgraded sound system, and more.

The safety specification includes lane departure correction, automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, speed limit detection, automatic reverse braking, and a rear assist system that retraces the last 50 meters for autonomous driving. The high finish level in the gasoline version adds vehicle detection in "stop and go" traffic with steering correction and a door opening warning. In the electric version, the safety package comes in two finish levels.

In the gasoline version, the 1.5-liter engine, three-cylinder turbo with a mild hybrid system, generates a total output of 170 horsepower transferred to the front wheels through a dual-clutch 7-speed transmission. The performance is 8.3 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h and a maximum speed of 213 km/h.

In the electric version, a single engine with 204 horsepower powers the front wheels. The additional weight of the electric version does not bring better performance compared to the gasoline version, reaching 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds and a maximum speed of 170 km/h. With a 66.45 kWh battery, the manufacturer declares a range of 450 km. The DC fast charging power is 130 kW, and charging from 10% to 80% takes 29 minutes.

The prices for the new X2 start at NIS 310,000 for the entry-level gasoline version and NIS 330,000for the high-finish level. In the electric version, it starts at NIS 360,000 and goes up to NIS 390,000 for the high-finish level.

BMW X2 comes in both gasoline and electric versions to compete in a crowded category of competitors. If it's the gasoline version competing against Audi Q3 Sportback, Mercedes GLA, Lexus UX, Alfa Romeo Tonale, and others, and if it's the electric version competing against Mercedes EQA, Audi Q4 e-tron, Lexus UX Electric, Genesis GV60, as well as Volvo C40 and to some extent the Polestar 2. In both cases, except for competitors from Audi and Mercedes, it presents a high price with a noticeable margin alongside differences in equipment and performance from the hungry competitors of Genesis and also Volvo.