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Month: May 2023

  • First-Ever BMW iX2 Production Officially Confirmed To Start Late 2023

    First-Ever BMW iX2 Production Officially Confirmed To Start Late 2023

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    During the BMW Group Annual Conference 2023 held in mid-March, the luxury brand announced plans to launch an iX2 as a new member of the growing EV portfolio. Speaking with German enthusiast magazine Bimmer Today, the head of the Regensburg factory revealed series production will commence by the end of the year. The electric crossover is going to be assembled alongside the conventionally shaped iX1 at the plant located in eastern Bavaria.

    To make it happen, BMW is investing more than €350 million ($385M at current exchange rates) and hiring approximately 500 new workers. As early as 2024, the automaker estimates at least one-third of all vehicles produced in Regensburg will be EVs, with the other two-thirds representing conventionally powered X1s and X2s. The former is also available with a variety of plug-in hybrid powertrains.

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    BMW remains tight-lipped about the new X2 but we do know it’s going to adopt a completely different design. Gone will be the raised hatchback look as spy shots have shown prototypes sending a mini-X6 vibe by following the coupe-SUV formula made popular by the Munich-based brand. Aside from having a new-yet-familiar shape, the X2 (codenamed U10) is likely to be much larger than its predecessor.

    The gasoline/diesel X2 and electric iX2 versions will look virtually the same since it won’t be until 2025 when BMW will begin to launch EVs on a dedicated platform by rolling out the Neue Klasse. Despite the electric onslaught, there will still be an ICE-powered top model with M Performance branding. Likely coming in 2024, the X2 M35i will have over 300 horsepower from a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engine.

    The iX2 should mirror the iX1 in terms of technical specification, so the initial version should be an xDrive30e with 313 hp and 494 Nm (364 lb-ft) of torque from a pair of electric motors. Chances are BMW is working on lesser iX1 and iX2 flavors with a single-motor, front-wheel-drive setup.

    Will the iX2 come to the United States? It’s hard to say at this point, but let’s hope that it does considering BMW has surprisingly decided against bringing the iX1.

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  • VW plans Cupra-style EV subbrand

    VW plans Cupra-style EV subbrand

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    Volkswagen Group plans to launch a new subbrand for electric cars in China to help the automaker reverse its sliding market share in the country.

    The subbrand will launch with the Cupra Tavascan full-electric crossover, a sibling model to the VW ID5 and Skoda Enyaq Coupe iV. Its models will be targeted at VW’s new rivals in China such as Nio and BYD.

    The Tavascan will not be sold as a Cupra model in China. Instead, the coupe-styled midsize crossover will be the first model for a subbrand positioned as a lifestyle marque to appeal to younger buyers, just as Cupra is in Europe.

    VW is not launching the Cupra brand in China for practical reasons, a high-ranking manager told Automotive News Europe sister publication Automobilwoche.

    “Setting up a completely new brand is far too costly. We won’t do that,” said the executive, who declined to be named because he is not authorized to speak publicly.

    VW’s Jetta subbrand, which was launched in China as an entry-level marque in 2019, has failed to gain traction. The group’s Skoda brand also has not been successful and is likely to be withdrawn from the Chinese market. Both marques are languishing with a market share below 1 percent.

    The subbrand will have its headquarters in Anhui, where the Tavascan will be built in a recently opened plant. Tavascan production will start in December. The crossover will be exported to Europe.

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