Patent reveals BMW X2 that will battle Evoque

Images of the forthcoming BMW X2 have been leaked online ahead of its launch at September's Frankfurt Motor Show.

First submitted to the Japanese trademark office back in February, the patent drawings have only just been unearthed by Dutch car blog, Autoblog.nl.

BMW is targeting rivals like the Mercedes-Benz GLA and Range Rover Evoque with the X2 - which some claim is simply a swoopy, cooler version of the current X1 SUV.

Revealed as a concept last September at the Paris Motor Show, the original X2 design study featured bold styling which BMW claimed to be the future design language of the brand.

So, the X2 could in fact be the inspiration for the next all-new front-wheel drive 1 Series and future 3 Series.

From these patent pics it's clear the X2 will keep its steeply raked front windscreen and an almost identical silhouette to the car shown in Paris.

Elsewhere, many of the design cues heralded by BMW in Paris have been quietly watered down for the production vehicle.

For example, the hallmark kidney grille isn't quite as imposing and the ultra-slim front and rear lights have morphed to more conventional versions.

The patent drawings also show the rear exhaust no longer exits through the rear bumper and regular door handles and exterior mirrors have been introduced.

We spotted the X2 testing late last year and know the latest BMW SUV will be based on the same UKL platform as the X1.

Available with front-drive or AWD, in most markets the X2 will be sold with a range of three- and four-cylinder petrol engines, but in Australia we'll get the choice of a 2.0-litre petrol or diesel combined with an eight-speed automatic.

In the future, the X2 is rumoured to get the M Performance treatment including a 224kW powerplant.

With the official reveal locked-in for the Frankfurt show in September, get set for further teases of BMW's all-new baby SUV during coming weeks.