Rumored since 2011, the BMW X2 crossover was officially confirmed in 2016, when the German firm unveiled a concept car at the Paris Motor Show. One year later and the production model was revealed, joining the X1 in the company's compact crossover lineup. With the X2 now official and on its way to dealerships, the question on everyone's lips is will BMW create an M version of the mini SUV? There's no official confirmation at this point, but there's solid indication that the X1 will get its first M variant pretty soon. And with the X2 built on the same underpinnings, there's a good chance that an X2 M will also follow.

Although the new niche the X2 was designed for includes just another model, the Audi Q2, as of this writing, the market is likely to expand in the near future. And as it's almost always the case, on top of other carmakers joining in, we'll also see higher-performance versions in dealerships soon. BMW is already a bit late to the party compared to Audi, so it wouldn't hurt for the X2 M to arrive before the RS Q2 and grab an important share of the market. We'll probably find out more about this in 2018, but until that happens, the speculative review below will give you an idea of what to expect from this model. We also have a rendering created by X-Tomi Design to go with the info.

Continue reading to learn more about the upcoming BMW X2 M.

Exterior

With no prototypes on the road, the X2 M seems to be a mystery as of this writing, but with the standard X2 already in the open and based on M features seen on other SUVs, it’s pretty easy to imagine how the X2 M will look like. And X-Tomi’s rendering is pretty spot on given the circumstances. Design upgrades are pretty obvious up front, where the X2 will get a more aggressive bumper with larger vents onto the sides. The center intake should grow in size too, while all grilles will be replaced with fined honeycomb meshes.

The big question here is whether the X2 M will ditch the standard triangular side vents, which are unique to this model, in favor of the more conventional intakes seen in the rendering, but that’s something we won’t find out more about until the first test cars hit public roads. An “X2 M” emblem will also find its way on the big kidney grille, which should also get optional black trim.

Note: Standard BMW X2 pictured here.

The X2’s profile will change only slightly with the M package. The side skirts will get extensions, the window trim will switch from chrome to black, while the standard wheels will be replaced by larger, sportier units. BMW will also drop the ride height by a half-inch.

Rear fascia changes are also very predictable. Look for a slightly larger roof spoiler, a bigger diffuser-like element, and a quad-exhaust pipe layout. Carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) body elements are also likely, but it remains to be seen whether they will be offered as standard. BMW needs to keep the crossover’s pricing well below that of the upcoming X3 M so carbon-fiber might be limited to only a few items, like a front splitter and rear bumper trim.

Interior

Note: Standard BMW X2 pictured here.

Much like any M vehicle out there, the X2 M will get a few sporty upgrades over the usual features found in the standard model. Since the X2 is based on the X1, it’s safe to say that the X2 M will be based on the X1 M. However, since the latter has yet to be unveiled, we don’t have a specific model to look into for accurate hints. But we can look at other M vehicles to get an approximate idea of what we should find in the X2 M. The crossover should get new, more upscale upholstery, most likely in the form of Merino leather with Alcantara inserts.

The interior should be mostly black in standard form, but brighter leather should be available through the Individual program. Contrast stitching will highlight the dashboard, center console, and the door panels. Aluminum trim on the dash and an M-specific instrument cluster with new dials and custom setting will be included as standard too. A sportier steering wheel, sportier seats, new pedals, and a host of M badges will round off the design update. Some extra convenience features are also on the table, including automatic climate control and a Harman Kardon surround sound system.

Everything else will remain unchanged from the standard X2. So look for the same horizontal layout that makes the cabin seem spacious, large door pockets, optional voice control, and a 8.8-inch display for the iDrive infotainment system. Trunk space should remain the same at 16.6 cubic feet, more than two cubic feet more than the X2’s biggest rival, the Audi Q2. With the rear seats folded flat, trunk capacity should increase to at least 35 cubic feet.

Options will include the full-color Head-Up Display, and a Drive Pack that adds Driving Assistant with adds Lane Departure Warning, Speed Limit Info with No Passing Info display, anti-dazzle High Beam Assistant, as well as Collision Warning and Pedestrian Warning with City Braking function. A Traffic Jam Assistant system will take over both proximity control and lane-keeping tasks from the driver at speeds of up to 37 mph.

Note: Standard BMW X2 pictured here.0}

Note: Standard BMW X2 pictured here.

There’s no word as to what engine will motivate the X2, but it’s safe to assume it will be a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The standard model already uses one in X2 sDrive20i trim, which is rated at 189 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of twist. Needless to say, the X2 M will be significantly more powerful than that, but it remains to be seen by how much.

The Mercedes-AMG GLA45, for instance, comes with 355 horsepower on tap. This means that its direct competitor, the upcoming X1 M, will have a similar amount. And since the X1 and X2 are basically identical save for the outer skin, the X2 M should get an identical engine and power rating. As of this writing, the most capable 2.0-liter engine cranks out 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque in the 3 Series, but it’s definitely capable of more than that with new turbochargers and upgraded internals.

The 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine in the M2, which generates 365 horsepower and 343 pound-feet, seems perfect for the job, but BMW probably aims to keep six-cylinder units away from these small crossover. If anything, this 3.0-liter mill will find its way into the bigger, upcoming X3 M. Either way, X2 M will have at least 300 horsepower at its disposal. Both a manual and automatic transmission should be offered, but U.S.-spec models won’t get a shifter and clutch pedal. The extra oomph will be backed by a custom suspension setup and a beefed-up braking system.

Drivetrain

U.S. pricing information for the standard X2 is not yet available, but it should retail from around $29,000 in base trim. Given that other M-badged SUVs are around 76-percent more expensive their standard counterparts, it’s safe to assume that the X2 M will retail from around $51,000. That’s a lot of dough considering that the much bigger X5 starts from $56,950, but on par with similar offerings from other makers, such as the Mercedes-AMG GLA45, which costs $50,600 before options.

Note: Standard BMW X2 pictured here.0}

Audi RS Q2

Note: Standard Audi Q2 pictured here.

The X2 competes in a brand-new niche that started life when Audi launched the Q2 in 2016. As a result, the first competitor for the X2 M will come from the same automaker in the form of the RS Q2. And I say “will” because so far Audi has yet to confirm that such a model is underway. But knowing how German automakers expand with performance-oriented and high-performance versions over a couple of years (sometimes even less), both S and RS variants of the Q2 are set to follow. The SQ2 will be the first to arrive, likely with around 300 horsepower, but the RS Q2 will probably hit the market with the old-school, 2.5-liter five-cylinder under the hood. This engine generates a whopping 400 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque in the latest RS3, and although it might not be this powerful in the RS Q2, it will certainly send at least 350 horses to all four wheels. But it would be out of this world for the beefed-up Q2 to arrive with 400 horsepower, a scenario that would put the X2 M at a big disadvantage performance-wise. Pricing should be similar, around the $50,000 mark before options.

Mercedes-AMG GLA45

The Mercedes-Benz GLA is actually a competitor for the BMW X1, but since the X1 and X2 are very closely related under the skin, the comparison is more than fine. And the somewhat sleek appearing of the GLA and the absence of a proper quarter window actually makes it a proper competitor to the X2 design-wise. And unlike the X2, the GLA-Class has already received its performance upgrade. Sold as the AMG GLA45, the souped-up mini SUV sports all the familiar AMG add-on, including larger front bumper vents, unique wheels, and a more aggressive rear bumper. The interior boasts sports seats with heavy bolstering, a flat-bottom steering wheel, bespoke upholstery, and even carbon-fiber trim. Power comes from the same unit in the AMG A45 hatchback, a twin-turbo, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine good for 355 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of twist. The mill mates to an AMG Speedshift seven-speed automatic and enables the crossover to hit 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds. The big advantage here is that you can already find it in U.S. dealerships, so unless you’re willing to wait a couple of years for the X2 M, the AMG GLA45 retails from $50,600 before options.

Read our full story on the 2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA45.

Conclusion

The X2 M might not seem like a necessity for BMW right now with the X2 competing in a brand-new niche, but the German firm has the chance to be one step ahead of the competition with this performance mini SUV. The RS Q2 may actually arrive first, but until other brands join this segment, BMW can set up a solid lineup and establish itself as a powerful force here. Granted, the fact that the Mercedes GLA is very close in terms of size and performance makes things a bit more difficult, but the X2’s unique looks – unlike the GLA, which is a perched-up A-Class – could be more appealing to customers looking for something different. With some 350 horsepower at its disposal and a host of M upgrades, the X2 M could become the dominant force in this niche.

References

BMW X2

Read our full review of the 2016 BMW X2 Concept.

Read our full review on the 2018 BMW X2.

BMW X1

Read our full review on the 2017 BMW X1.

Read our full review on the 2017 BMW X1 M.