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Racing cars for Germany to be built by VW in Kariega
South Africa is exporting one of its most successful racing formulas to Germany.
- Industry News
- 7 February 2025
The BMW X2 is the car that first introduced the vehicle concept of a Sports Activity Coupé (SAC) for the premium compact segment. And now the even more distinctive, even sportier and even more forward-looking second generation is taking to the stage.
What’s new?
Significantly larger dimensions and a pronounced coupé silhouette clearly showcase the development leap taken by the new BMW X2 in its exterior design. The character of the new model is also evident in the large spread of systems enabling automated driving and parking as well as in the innovative digital services laid on by the new BMW iDrive with QuickSelect and BMW Operating System 9.
Exterior:
The new BMW X2 has a distinctive, visually expressive design that shows clear differentiation from the brand’s compact Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), the BMW X1.
The new BMW X2 has grown by 194 millimetres in length over its predecessor to 4 554 millimetres, by 21 millimetres in width to 1 845 millimetres and by 64 millimetres in height to 1 590 millimetres. Plus, its increased wheelbase and wider tracks benefit interior space.
The model-specific, upright front end of the new BMW X2 cannot be missed. Its defining elements are LED headlights and an almost hexagonal BMW kidney grille.
The roofline, which flows along an unbroken path into the rear end, creates a slim, coupé-shaped silhouette. At the rear, the prominently flared wheel arches and muscular shoulders come to the fore.
M-specific design features such as the two pairs of exhaust tailpipes, integrated into the rear apron, give the BMW X2 M35i xDrive a particularly dynamic aura. An M Sport package will be standard on the 18i variant in South Africa and will likewise add aerodynamically optimised exterior details.
Interior:
The interior of the new BMW X2 has a modern premium ambience with sporting touches. The slender instrument panel, housing the BMW Curved Display, is joined in the cabin by a “floating” armrest with integral control panel.
The newly developed seats are also offered in the Veganza perforated variant and Vernasca leather with attractive quilting as alternatives to the standard cloth upholstery. Customers can also specify sport seats, electric seat adjustment with memory function, lumbar support and a massage function. Further improvements have been made to both acoustic comfort and occupant protection. Standard equipment now includes an interaction airbag between the driver’s seat and front passenger seat.
Engines:
The BMW X2 M35i xDrive has intelligent all-wheel drive. Its 2-litre four-cylinder turbo engine produces 233 kW and is connected to a seven-speed Steptronic transmission with double clutch. The X2 sDrive18 will have a three-cylinder turbo petrol engine with around 115 kW available, also with a seven-speed transmission.
Prices:
BMW X2 M35i xDrive (R1 223 935.70) and the X2 sDrive 18 (R879 738.20)
Volkswagen has added two new derivatives to its T-Cross line-up for the 2025 model year. The T-Cross has been the best-selling Volkswagen SUV with over 36 000 cars sold since its launch in 2019.
Volkswagen found a gap in it SUV line-up between the range-topping Touareg and the Tiguan and will fill it with its new Tayron set to arrive locally in the second half of 2025 when pricing and engine specifications will be announced. The Tayron will launch with two equipment lines - Life and R-Line.
If you think Golf in South Africa, you think GTI or even the quicker Golf R. Volkswagen, however, has just introduced a new entry-level Golf consisting of four models slotting in below its twin performance siblings.