2017 BMW X2 spy pics

WELCOME the 2017 BMW X2 – yet another Sport Activity Vehicle in the mould of the ground-breaking BMW X6.

A coupe SUV then, you say, and that’s correct. This one, however, differs from the larger ones from BMW in using a transverse engine arrangement, for front or all-wheel drive configurations.

Based on the recently released, second-gen, BMW X1, the X2 – shown top in an artist’s impression – will be one of at least a dozen vehicles built on the company’s UKL architecture. This platform also underpins the latest F56 Mini, BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, and upcoming 2 Series four-door sedan.

This means a range of BMW’s modular 1.5-litre three-cylinder and 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel and TwinPower petrol engines, offering from about 110kW/220Nm to more than 170kW/320Nm if today’s X1 outputs are anything to go by.

The transmission in question will most likely be an eight-speed automatic, underlining the X2’s intended sporty nature.

As the camouflaged prototype snapped in Europe’s wintry blast shows, the body follows BMW’s SAV form by having a greater windscreen angle, lower roofline, and sleeker silhouette than the more upright donor X1 manages, giving the X2 more youth appeal.

Cabin space will clearly be compromised, but then this is not what coupe SUVs are about. As with the upcoming Audi Q2 and Infiniti QX30, the goal is to give the highly successful Mercedes-Benz GLA a big fright.

The BMW X2’s launch timing is yet to be confirmed, but expect to see it no sooner than at the Paris Motor Show in September. We hear Australian deliveries will commence not too far into 2017.

Prices will probably kick off from about $55,000 if the X1 is any indication, keeping BMW’s tradition of charging about 10 percent more for coupe SUVs with less headroom. One for people who think with their heart, then.

Have spy pics of your own? We'd love to see them. Just email them to wheels@bauertrader.com.au