Electric car, with the iX2 a new step is added to BMW's ecological transition

With the debut of the iX2 SUV, the transition of the BMW group continues.The electric market is growing with "15% of total sales".15 new “zero” emissions models announced in 2024.

Of the progressive electrification of BMW we also told you about it in recent months, on the occasion of the launch of models like the iX, the coupe i4, electric SUVs iX3 And iX1 and, on the last occasion, the sedan Series 5 electric.In between, even a trip aboard one iX5 Hydrogen, for now only a project aimed at highlighting the potential of the fuel cell electric car.So we pick up where we left off, because BMW's ecological transition, in the meantime, continues with the new iX2, electric version of the second generation of the compact SUV X2.We tried the most high-performance version, the xDrive 30: 2 electric motors and 313 horsepower, all-wheel drive on 4 wheels, electric range of up to 450 kilometres.

What emerged from the latest BMW annual conference

Before going into the matter, a brief summary of what emerged during the annual BMW conference, where the German group made a point on the 2023, reporting a significant increase (+74.2 percent) of electric vehicle sales to over 375 thousand units.The company said it had delivered “more fully electric vehicles to customers than its direct European competitors and also significantly more than most new players from Asia and the United States,” as reported in a statement.

“In 2023 the electric vehicle range was a key growth factor” with 375,716 electric cars delivered (+74.1 percent compared to 2022), reaching a share of approximately 15 percent of total sales", as explained in a note. A strategy that will continue in 2024, with the launch of 15 fully electric models (among all the brands of the group, therefore also Mini e Rolls-Royce the luxury brand that he presented last summer Spectre, his first electric one.

BMW iX2 xDrive 30, the first time the German SUV-coupe goes electric

This is the second generation of the X2 and for the first time it is available in two electric models.The first, the subject of our test drive, is the xDrive30 which offers the 4 wheel drive, 313 horsepower and an electric autonomy (declared) of up to 450 kilometers. Prices from 48,254 euros to 60 thousand depending on the trim level.The second electric model, the eDrive20, he has the only one front-wheel drive, 204 horsepower and up to 478 kilometers of autonomy; prices from 39,320 euros to 49,100, with the possibility of accessing car incentives 2024, of which we are still waiting for confirmation from the Government.As an alternative to purchasing, leasing solutions should also be evaluated."Why-buy” which provide for the purchase or return of the car at the end of the contract.

BMW, a new platform dedicated to electric is coming

For BMW it is a moment of great commitment to electric, with the platform Neue Class which from next year will see the debut of new "native" electric models, from the sports sedan to the new SUVs.Until then, electric cars like the iX2 are created to also accommodate combustion engines (petrol and diesel), which has production advantages but also some design limitations.Having grown considerably in length (+19 centimetres) to reach the considerable length of 4.55 metres, with a new style (which not everyone agrees on), the iX2 uses the same platform as the "normal" endothermic X2, with the entry-level version eDrive20 exclusively to front-wheel drive and this xDrive30 which thanks to the 2 electric motors offers the all-wheel drive.If we were to imagine electric alternatives, we could think of Tesla Model Y, but also Audi Q4 E-tron e Hyundai Ioniq 5.

BMW iX2, a bit SUV, a bit crossover, a bit (less) coupé

Big sister of another electric of the brand, the iX1, the iX2 is equipped with a battery pack (regardless of the version it is always from 64.8 kWh) mounted under the floor, which, as we will see, slightly reduces the load capacity (compared to the petrol version) and rear habitability, due to the greater internal height of the "floor".This is a high-performance electric vehicle, the over 313 horsepower makes the concept clear, and for those who want to further underline the aspect, the M Sport package, which includes additional aerodynamic details.Once on board, the feeling of quality is typical BMW, with well-positioned controls and comfortable, sporty seats.

In front, the living space is adequate, a little less behind, due to the aforementioned high floor and the sloping rear window which takes up headroom.The infotainment system includes the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and an additional 10.7-inch display slightly tilted towards the driver.All with still a minimal presence of physical controls, which makes the management of the various functions intuitive overall.If desired, there are also voice commands.The inclined plate for cooking is convenient wireless charging of the smartphone (whose display remains clearly visible to passengers) and the numerous USB ports, both in the front and in the rear. For the interior of the iX2 a version with coverings is availableanimal-free”, although unfortunately animal skin still appears among the various options;BMW had announced that they would be available from 2023 "completely vegan interior” for various models.

iX2, what is that 10 second "boost" for (and why is it better not to abuse it...)

Driving pleasure has always been a priority for BMW, more than comfort or habitability.And this iX2 xDrive30 does not disappoint:with 313 horsepower distributed over the four wheels, relatively small dimensions and weight, the result is one of the most pleasant electric cars to drive on the market.The performances are remarkable, the accelerations above all, and despite the three different driving modes it is difficult to resist the Sport option, or theOverboost, 10 seconds (activated with a lever on the steering wheel) in which extra power is available; fun but better not to abuse it, unless you want to see the electric range reduced considerably.

Everything or almost everything on the iX2 seems designed for fun, from the power delivery to the sensitivity of the steering, up to the suspension settings, perfect on bends, less so on bumps.There are also three levels of regenerative braking, from the "adaptive" mode which "reads" the road and regulates braking automatically (for example before a roundabout) up to the well-known "one pedal feeling", the mode which in fact allows you to drive without (almost) use the brake.

For those who want there is also the "gaming", i.e. the possibility, "alone or in company" as BMW suggests, of transforming the on-board display into a gaming console (the smartphone becomes a remote control), a different way of waiting for charging times when you are stationary at the column.

Regarding autonomy, it is better to focus on the less powerful (and more efficient) eDrive20 version

About autonomy, compared to the official figure of 450 kilometres, the iX2 xDrive30 in realistic use offers around 350, not exactly a record figure, especially compared to the competition (many rivals offer larger batteries, a step that BMW will certainly take with the next generation of "native" electric vehicles).Things don't go much better if you use a more relaxed tourist guide, in this sense the electric version is more rational eDrive20 less powerful and more accessible.In short, overall this is an electric that above all offers driving pleasure, a crossover for small families (four adults are already cramped, especially in the rear), with a sporty appearance and reasonable trunk.