BMW X2 and X7 locked in for Australia

BMW is set to expand its SUV offerings with confirmation that the X2 compact crossover and X7 seven-seater flagship will hit showrooms within the next two years.

Speaking at the BMW Australia 2017 Range Day media event, BMW Group Australia CEO Marc Werner said it was a logical decision to introduce the X2 to Australia given the strong sales of compact coupe-style crossovers in the country.

“We are very excited about the X2. You might have seen the concept vehicle, which looks fantastic, and it’s a perfect fit from a product line-up point of view,” said Mr Werner.

“There’s always been a niche between the X1 and X3, and following on the success of the X4, in particular the X4 sales in Australia which is going from strength to strength, I believe that there is good opportunity for us to sell the X2 in this market.”

“We can’t wait to sell it here,” said Mr Werner. “When that will be, it still needs to be confirmed.”

BMW first presented the X2 concept at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. Like the X4 is to the X3, the X2 will be positioned as a more stylish and sporty sibling to the X1. As previewed by the concept, the X1 will feature a raked roofline and four-doors.

Competing against the recently launched Audi Q2, the BMW X2 is expected to share its powertrain line-up with the X1 compact SUV. This means a mix of 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines with front- and all-wheel-drive configuration.

Meanwhile, Mr Werner also announced that the X7 will arrive into Australia sometime in 2019 to compete in the upper luxury SUV segment which currently only sits the Mercedes-Benz GLS. When the X7 eventually arrives it will also do battle with the upcoming Audi Q8 flagship SUV, which is currently under development.

Set to be available with 7 seats, the X7 will borrow some of its suspension components from the BMW X5. It will feature a range of six and eight-cylinder engines, as well as a plug-in hybrid drivetrain derived from the X5 xDrive40e. A range-topping 6.0-litre V12, pinched from the 760i, producing 400kW and 750Nm of torque, is also said to be on the cards.

The launch of the X2 and X7 will complete BMW’s full suite of SUV line-up numbered from X1 to X7.