BMW X2 M35i revealed

A new M Performance flagship has been added to the BMW X2 range launched in Australia in March and it’s been confirmed for local release in the first half of next year.

When the new BMW X2 M35i arrives here, expect it to be positioned above the front-wheel drive turbo/petrol-powered X2 sDrive 18i three-cylinder ($49,900 plus on-road costs) and the sDrive 20i four-pot ($55,900), as well as the all-wheel drive X2 xDrive 20d diesel ($59,900).

The BMW X2 M35i will join the X3 and X4 M40i as BMW Australia’s fourth M Performance SUV model, following the launch of the all-new BMW X5 M50d by the end of this year.

Power comes from a 225kW/450Nm version of BMW’s lusty 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine — the first four-cylinder from M Performance — making it “comfortably the most powerful engine of its format seen in a BMW product”, says the German car-maker.

Matched as standard with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system and an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission with Launch Control, the X2 M35i is claimed to hit 100km/h in just 4.9 seconds. Fuel consumption stated at 8.1-8.4L/100km.

Naturally, there’s an M Performance chassis tune including stiffer and lower M Sport adaptive suspension, M Sport brakes comprising Dark Blue metallic fixed callipers gripping 18-inch front and 17-inch rear discs, and 19-inch alloy wheels (Cerium Grey bicolour 20s will be optional).

And, in a first for an M Performance vehicle, there’s a torque steer-reducing M Sport locking differential for the front axle gear, which BMW says “most effectively reduces possible traction losses on the front wheels”.

Due in production in Europe in November, the BMW X2 M35i is cosmetically differentiated by a rear M spoiler and Cerium Grey treatment for the mirror caps, (twin 100mm) exhaust outlets and grille and front air intake surrounds.

Other standard upgrades also from the X2’s M Sport Package include full-HD headlights, an M Sport leather steering wheel with shift paddles and ‘M35i’ door sills.

Optional in Europe will be M sports front seats will be optional in three styles: FabricTrigon/Alcantara in black with blue accents, Leather Dakota Magmared perforated with black accents and Leather Dakota black perforated, all with matching M seatbelts.

Other European options will include a full-colour BMW Head-Up Display, the latest BMW ConnectedDrive and new BMW Connected App functions, and wireless Apple CarPlay.