BMW put its X2 Concept, where urban chic and functionality meet, on display at the Paris Motor Show.
BMW hit this year’s Paris Motor Show with a trio of vehicles aimed at showing that good things come in small packages: the Concept X2, 3 Series Gran Turismo and new i3 electric vehicle.
The Concept X2 is a compact concept aimed to offer a sporty, urban alternative to the German maker’s X line-up of utility vehicles, or as they call them SAVs: sport activity vehicles.
It certainly does stand apart with large wheels but the familiar “two-box design” reminds that this is a “functional” vehicle, like its X siblings.
However, it’s a little more like a cousin than a sibling when you consider its long wheelbase, stretched roofline, short overhangs and forward-slanting C-pillar give the X2 almost a sports-car-like look and feel.
“The BMW Concept X2 combines the fast-moving body language and low-slung proportions of a coupe with the robust construction of an X model. This is a sporty vehicle with a bold character, and it allows us to open up some fascinating new design possibilities for the BMW brand,” says Karim Habib, Head of BMW Design.
(EPA passes BMW diesels using tougher standards. Click Here for the story.)
The new i3 gets a bigger battery that charges faster and travels farther than its predecessor.
While the racy concept turns heads on the stand, it’s the new 3 Series Gran Turismo that will do it on the street. The 3 Series is the gateway drug, er, the entry vehicle for most first-time BMW buyers and the Gran Tursimo’s mix of power, performance and looks makes it tough for them to leave the family.
Especially, since the entry-level model enjoys a new generation of engines. The range consists of three all-new gas engines developing anywhere from 184 horsepower to 326 hp, and five diesel variants producing 150 hp to 313 hp – with rear-wheel drive or BMW xDrive all-wheel drive, with manual or Steptronic automatic transmission.
In fact, a total of 18 engine, transmission and drive configurations are available for the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo.
(Click Here for details about Audi’s Paris unveilings.)
However, for the greener BMW owner, the new and improve i3 boasts improved efficiency and more power. With its new 94 Ah battery, its range increased more than 50% going from 118 miles on a charge to now 186 miles, officials note.
Additionally, BMW is making it easier and faster to charge the new i3 with extra equipment options for the BMW i3, including Wallbox charging stations for home garages. Vehicles equipped with the first- generation battery can have the new unit retrofitted. The BMW i3 with 60 Ah battery pack first launched three years ago will still be available to customers.
Not only is faster to charge, it’s just faster. The BMW i3 completes the 0 – 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint in 7.3 seconds, hitting 60 km/h (37 mph) in just 3.8 seconds. It has a top speed of 93 mph.
(Live from Paris, Click Here for complete coverage of the 2016 Mondial de l’Automobile.)
BMW is also using the Paris show to present a new and exclusive version of its i8 plug-in hybrid sports car: the BMW i8 Protonic Dark Silver Edition.