BMW X2 xDrive25e PHEV to launch by July 2020 – Only in European markets
The Bavarian company's mission to add electric variants in their range of cars continues
The BMW X2 has been around for a while, and since then it has not really made its mark. It is supposed to be a sportier crossover version of the X1, but for the price it commands, it just does not seem very practical to buy the it.
You could spend the same amount as the X2 or lesser, and probably get a better vehicle than you would with the X2. This leaves it feeling quite isolated and not wanted by many people, but things could change for it as BMW is about to bring in a new powertrain in the X2. Behold, the X2 xDrive25e PHEV (quite a long name, isn’t it?) a plug-in hybrid version of the X2, and in just a matter of 2 months, this hybrid X2 will hit the European markets.
Until now the X2 was offered in a petrol and diesel option, and now it is offered with its first hybrid option and I would just like to say that I am thoroughly impressed with BMW’s latest release of vehicles. Almost all of the new models have an electric or hybrid option, and this shows how BMW is ready to evolve with the changing time. The PHEV X2 is powered by a 1.5 litre turbocharged petrol engine, which is good enough to produce 125 ps. This petrol engine is coupled with a 6 speed automatic transmission.
As this is a hybrid, there is an electric motor which runs in sync with the gasoline engine or by itself, and this electric motor is a fourth generation eDrive electric motor which is specifically designed by BMW to cater to plug-in hybrid vehicles. This electric motor is powered by a 10 kWh battery pack, which admittedly is quite small, and it reflects on its relatively small electric range of 35.42 miles (57 kilometers).
The electric motor makes 95 ps, thereby giving the vehicle a total brake horsepower of 220, making it quite a sporty vehicle to drive, thanks to its relatively small body size. Furthermore, the vehicle has a torque output of 269 pound feet of torque, and what makes this even better is the fact that it is an All-Wheel-Drive. When the vehicle is run on electric mode, it makes use of its rear wheels, but if you want to do some off terrain driving and need the 4×4, then engage the hybrid powertrain, and power will be sent to all 4 wheels.
The X2 xDrive25e has a few driving modes to offer which can be triggered as per the needs of the driver. The Auto eDrive mode which switches from hybrid to electric or vice versa in order to achieve maximum efficiency. Another mode is Max eDrive, and this will run the vehicle in the fully-electric mode. The last mode is the Save Battery Mode, as the name suggests for the time when your battery is probably on 5%, you can initiate this mode and the vehicle will be powered only by its petrol engine, which will charge the battery.
The difference between the purely fossil fuel powered X2 and PHEV X2 is not restricted to the powertrain only, unlike the older X2, the PHEV X2 lacks fog lamps and instead it employs ‘Bad Weather Lights’ which have been included in the all LED headlamps of the vehicle. Another thing which makes the PHEV X2 different is the fact that it rides lower than the petrol/diesel X2.
The PHEV X2 without a doubt is my favourite version of the X2 as it is environmentally more responsible, and at the same time more fun to drive, and better looking as well. On release, the hybrid X2 will be offered in variants such as the Advantage, Advantage Plus, M Sport and M Sport X Equipment.
