2018 BMW X2 engines
The X2 will be offered with just three engines at launch – the sDrive20i petrol emits 134g/km of CO2 and is claimed to return up to 51.4mpg, while the 187bhp xDrive20d diesel emits 126g/km and returns 61.4mpg. The higher-powered diesel, the 228bhp xDrive25d, returns 55.4mpg and emits 133g/km of CO2, and is capable of sprinting to 62mph in 6.7sec.
sDrive models are front-wheel drive, while xDrive versions offer four-wheel drive. In any case, an automatic gearbox is standard, with seven speeds in petrol models and eight speeds in diesel versions.
The X2's engine range will grow soon after launch, with the addition of more petrol and diesel models, including petrols with four-wheel drive. Our favourite engine in the X1 is the sDrive18d diesel; in the X2, this engine produces 148bhp and returns up to 62.8mpg.
As with most modern BMW models, drivers will be able to select between Comfort, Eco Pro and Sport driving modes, which adjust the gearbox, engine and steering settings. Optional dynamic dampers can also be specified and can be placed in either Comfort or Sport modes. This also lowers the car's ride height slightly.
Jaguar E-Pace engines
The E-Pace may look a bit like the F-Type, but under the skin it has far more in common with sister brand Land Rover’s Discovery Sport. This means there’s more steel in its structure than there is in other Jaguars, but the lighter aluminium that’s found in the brand’s other cars is still used for the bonnet, tailgate and roof, something that helps fuel efficiency.
The entry-level E-Pace, for example, is a front-wheel-drive, 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel, which averages 60.1mpg in official tests. That’s slightly down on its rivals (the equivalent Q3 manages 62.8mpg and the X1 68.9mpg) but close enough that it’s unlikely to be a deal-breaker.
All other E-Paces have four-wheel drive, with the engine options the 178bhp 2.0-litre diesel that we recommend in the Discovery Sport, a 237bhp diesel with the same capacity, and turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol units with 247bhp or 296bhp.
The petrols both come with a nine-speed automatic gearbox, as does the 237bhp 2.0 diesel, while the 148bhp and 178bhp diesels get a six-speed manual as standard, with the nine-speed automatic costing extra.
2018 BMW X2 interior
As standard, every X2 will come with BMW's iDrive infotainment and navigation system presented on a 6.5in screen (although that can grow to an 8.8in touchscreen if drivers select an upgraded set-up). The system is similar to that in the new 5 Series this year and can be had in conjunction with an optional head-up display, which projects speed and navigation instructions directly into the driver's field of vision.
BMW's range of connected services has also expanded, with drivers now able to share their arrival time at a destination using the iDrive system. An optional wi-fi hotspot is also available, as is Apple CarPlay connectivity.
Jaguar E-Pace interior
Jaguar markets itself as a sporty brand, and this is reflected in the interior of the E-Pace, which is very driver-focused. Models with an automatic gearbox ditch the rotary selector used in the F-Pace in favour of a joystick that allows manual shifts, and there’s a central grab handle that seems to fence the passenger off from the dashboard controls.
The layout is user-friendly (at least for the person behind the wheel), because there are simple rotary dials for the air conditioning and the more sophisticated of Jaguar’s two infotainment systems is standard. Called Touch Pro, it’s displayed on a 10.0in touchscreen with a customisable home page that makes most operations quite quick and simple.
You can also opt to replace the E-Pace’s instrument dials with a 12.3in digital display that lets you decide what information is displayed directly in front of you. Meanwhile, the list of connectivity features includes five USB ports, up to four 12V charging sockets and a 4G wi-fi hotspot for up to eight devices.
If there’s one area in which Jaguar interiors usually fall short of their rivals’, it’s perceived quality. And while great attention to detail is promised this time, we’ll have to wait to pass judgement, because the car we sat in was a pre-production model. What is clear, though, is that a lot of thought has gone into the look of the interior, from the attractive contrasting stitching on the dashboard to the subtle Jaguar animal print available in the floor mats.
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2018 BMW X2 prices
The new X2 will be priced from £33,980 in xDrive20d SE form. At that price, the X2 sits conveniently in-between the X1 and X3, which start from £28,460 and £38,880 respectively. It will also be substantially more expensive than both the Range Rover Evoque and Jaguar E-Pace.
Jaguar E-Pace Prices
from £28,500
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