SPY PICS: BMW X2

These spy photos snapped recently in Germany show BMW’s “SAV” (Sports Activity Vehicle) version of the X1, complete with the chopped roofline and mailbox-skinny glasshouse that rate it as a racier version of the more functionality-biased small SUV.

Unveiled as the X2 Prototype at September’s Paris motor show, the X2 in production guise won’t be quite as edgy. But it should feature many of the show car’s design cues, including the prominent roof spoiler and upswept side window line – although it appears to miss out on the ultra-slim headlights and the flared outer nostrils that flank the Paris show car’s grille.

Riding on the same UKL platform as the X1, the more rakish BMW SAV looks to be a stylistic re-interpretation of the front-drive or AWD five-door hatch.

What’s good for the X1 is likely to be also good for the X2: The X1 in Australia is powered by petrol and diesel four-cylinder engines, both displacing 2.0-litres and driving through BMW’s eight-speed automatic transmission. There is also talk of an M Performance variant wielding something like 224kW for the X2.

It’s being said BMW will introduce the X2 to buying customers early in 2017. Deliveries for Australia, where the X2's release has been confirmed, could be expected to follow shortly afterwards.