Friday 7th September 2018

BMW announces X2 M35i

'35i' means six-cylinder, right? Don't be so sure...

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BMW M fans, best look away now. If you're one of those people who still gets a bit giddy on seeing an M635 CSI, can nearly make a rational case for running an E60 M5 or perhaps just regularly listens to E30 M3 noises, this news isn't going to be welcome. Because the latest M Performance BMW is a four-cylinder, turbocharged, Sports Activity Coupe - welcome to the X2 M35i. Heaven help us.

Now, if you're thinking 'Hang on, I have an M135i, it's not that old and it's definitely six-cylinder', then prepare for a bit of a surprise: it would now seem that anything below a 40i designation will have four cylinders. Perhaps even three. Given it doesn't seem that long ago (even though it probably was) that you would strive ardently to get in something with a '20i' for a sweet straight-six soundtrack, that will come as something of a bitter blow.

Of course the X2 will do the numbers. As an M35i the 2.0-litre turbo four makes 306hp and 332lb ft (so considerably more torque than a V8 M3), firing this little number X2 from 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds and 155mph. An eight-speed auto and all-wheel drive are standard, BMW claiming that "racing know-how flows into the development of all components". Yeah, sure...

Underneath the X2 M35i receives the usual range of M Performance upgrades, to make this hatchback made into an SUV made into SUV Coupe handle more like a hatchback again. Springs and dampers are stiffer (with optional adaptive items available), the steering has been retuned to deliver "an impressively direct and precise steering feel" and the brakes now feature 18-inch front discs, backed up by 17-inch rotors at the rear.

One interesting piece of tech making its debut on this X2 is the M Sport Differential for the front axle. Yes, again it will sound like some horrible aberration to dedicated fans, being on the wrong axle and all, but the promise of reduced traction losses in "highly dynamic drivingmanoeuvres" thanks to a locking differential sounds like something to be welcomed. Kind of.

Otherwise it's as you were for the other M Performance cars, only now with a more baffling base product. See the accents in Cerium Grey, more supportive seats and a range of optional wheels to make the ride worse and your neighbours envious. Production of the X2 M35i begins towards the end of this year, with European examples expected around March 2019. Tremendous news...

[TaylotS2K]

Personally like the looks of this. Not sure on the OTT BMW badging though.....

[Agent XXX]

More confusing niche marketing from the ultimate marketing company.

[Colonel D]

Agent XXX said:

More confusing niche marketing from the ultimate marketing company.

Not a fan of it myself but all the big names are doing the same and seems to be a market somewhere for it or they wouldn't bother making these.

[Harry_523]

Hopefully they sell enough of these to keep funding real M cars. Also, this gives a pretty good idea of what will be under the next hot 1 series when it moves to this platform.

[court]

Harry_523 said:

Also, this gives a pretty good idea of what will be under the next hot 1 series when it moves to this platform.

This exactly. Get your RWD M135i/M140i's in before its a transverse 2.0 4WD like everything else.

[E65Ross]

Why the comments on torque? It has more torque than an M3, but doesn't have as much power, does it.

[Sam993]

Harry_523 said:

Hopefully they sell enough of these to keep funding real M cars.

I didn't know that M cars are a loss leader.

[Prinny]

18” front discs? fk me sideways. Is it down to weight, or are BMW trying to consign fade to the history books?

The discs for my M6 are around 15” (and £500), what are these going to cost?

[treeroy]

When did BMW become so boring? All their cars are the same, they're pushing more FWD, and their cars all seem very dull.

[Mike335i]

Sam993 said:

Harry_523 said:

Hopefully they sell enough of these to keep funding real M cars.

I didn't know that M cars are a loss leader.

Indeed, it's cars like this selling really well (and emissions legislation) that poses the biggest risk to proper M cars.

Buyers want fast, flashy and easy. If they sell loads of these, why bother with the RWD, manual boxes, big engines or steering feel? The answer is they won't and now largely don't.

As for the car itself, doesn't appeal at all. It falls between useful and sporty, does nothing a 330i touring can't do better.

Edited by Mike335i on Friday 7th September 10:56

[treeroy]

Nanook said:

This car is front transverse engined and 4WD.

All their cars are the same? How many of their cars are like this?

All the cars across all their range look pretty much like small variants of each other, on outside and inside.
I dont know what a transverse engine is but pretty sure all their cars have 4WD XDrive option.

[TWPC]

What an ugly lump

[J4CKO]

18 inch front disks ? is that correct, what size are the wheels ?

Pretty obvious the next gen M135i/M140i will be this engine with the wick turned up.

[Jim the Sunderer]

Ultimate Driving Machine, eh?

[Jakg]

Prinny said:

18” front discs? fk me sideways. Is it down to weight, or are BMW trying to consign fade to the history books?

The discs for my M6 are around 15” (and £500), what are these going to cost?

J4CKO said:

18 inch front disks ? is that correct, what size are the wheels ?

Pretty obvious the next gen M135i/M140i will be this engine with the wick turned up.

As above - I can't believe that's true. Thats 457mm!

[rodericb]

The identification of BMW and MB have long since moved on from what badge says to "goes like a....".


And what's going on with the alignment of the drivers seat to the steering wheel? That looks as way off as a seventies Ferrari!

[ManOpener]

Jakg said:

Prinny said:

18” front discs? fk me sideways. Is it down to weight, or are BMW trying to consign fade to the history books?

The discs for my M6 are around 15” (and £500), what are these going to cost?

J4CKO said:

18 inch front disks ? is that correct, what size are the wheels ?

Pretty obvious the next gen M135i/M140i will be this engine with the wick turned up.

As above - I can't believe that's true. Thats 457mm!

Calipers look identical to those on the M135i/M140i.
Even if they're using the larger disk size (from things like the M4 and the M Performance brake kit), they'd only be 370mm.

[Hub]

Is there any greater sign of the times than this car? I expect we'll only be able to buy SUVs in about 5 years time, and 4 cyclinder, hybrid or electric ones at that!

[Black S2K]

rodericb said:

The identification of BMW and MB have long since moved on from what badge says to "goes like a....".


And what's going on with the alignment of the drivers seat to the steering wheel? That looks as way off as a seventies Ferrari!

And why are the front seats pointing towards one another?

I can see why they used a wide-angle lens, but it does create some 'interesting' perspectives.

[kambites]

Not only a fish-eyed lens but they've also taken the picture from slightly to the right of the driver's head-rest by the looks of it.

As for the car, I'm sure people will buy it and for the most part wont give a damn how many cylinders it has.

On a side-note, is there any major European manufacturer who isn't using Haldex these days? They must be making a bloody fortune out of the current automotive trends.