2018 NAIAS: BMW To Showcase X2 And Updated i8 Coupe

Next year’s first auto show, the 2018 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), will be the platform for several carmakers to showcase their upcoming products. One of the big names scheduled to set up stall is BMW. The Munich-based automaker has confirmed that two of its forthcoming products - the X2 and the i8 Coupe - will make their world premieres during the NAIAS in January next year. Apart from these two, the Concept X7 iPerformance, which wowed the automotive world at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, will also be present.

What is the BMW X2?

It was officially unveiled in October this year and based on what we know, the X2 follows the same BMW mantra of differentiating the aura of even-numbered X models from those suffixed with odd numbers. In essence, the odd-numbered X models - the X1, X3, X5 and presumably X7 as well - have been crafted to be sensible family wagons in their respective categories. The even-numbered ones, on the other hand, are focused to floor those who put aesthetics above practicality. Numerically, the X4 and the X6 are placed above the X3 and X5 respectively. But in terms of practicality, they’re not even close.

Although BMW hasn’t officially revealed that the X2 will make its way to India, we believe it will happen either by the end of next year or early 2019. For the American market, however, the BMW X2 will be launched on March 3, 2018. Apart from the standard variant for the X2, customers will be able to opt for either the M Sport or the M Sport X. Out of these variants, the M Sport will borrow design cues from the M lineup, while the M Sport X's design will be similar to that of the X family.

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For most of the markets around the world, the X2 will come with three engine options - a 192PS 2.0-litre turbo petrol and a 2.0-litre turbo diesel available in two states of tunes - 190PS/231PS. Both diesels will come with xDrive all-wheel-drive and an 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission as standard. The petrol, on the other hand, will make do with a 7-speed dual-clutch auto box. In the US, it will be the xDrive28i, with 228PS on tap, that will first find its place under the X2’s hood.

Updated BMW i8 Coupe

The BMW i8 was never meant for the faint-hearted and nor was it meant for the masses. It was meant for those who wanted to experience the electrification of automobiles in BMW style and had enough money to buy one. The low-slung, two-seat sports coupe recently received a mid-life update and gained a topless sibling too. While the company has confirmed that the refreshed coupe will make its world premiere in Detroit next month, don’t be surprised to see the Roadster there as well.

Also Read: BMW i8 Roadster Unveiled; Coupe Gets An Update

The i8 is BMW’s idea of making hybrid powerplants fun and eco-friendly at the same time. The combined power from the 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine and electric drive system is rated at 374PS. The lithium-ion battery with cell capacity of 34Ah and gross energy capacity of 11.6kWh alone delivers 143PS to the electric motor and can get the car up to 105kmph. BMW claims the Coupe will deliver 52.63kmpl, whereas the Roadster is capable of 47.61kmpl. All-electric range stands at 53km for the coupe and 55km for the convertible.

BMW X7 - The 7 Series of SUVs

BMW recently announced that the test mules of the X7 have entered production at its Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, USA. Details of the behemoth are still under wraps and what will be showcased at the 2018 NAIAS will be the Concept X7 iPerformance. The company will be running its homologation tests around the world and will launch it towards the end of 2018. In India, it should arrive via the CBU (completely built unit) route but that will not happen anytime before 2019. Since the X7 will be built exclusively in the above mentioned factory, the American market will be the first to get it as well.

Also Read: Next-Gen BMW X5 To Debut In 2018