After a long wait, BMW decided to finally take the veils off its latest M Performance model and show us what it has been testing on the Nurburgring for quite some time now, the BMW X2 M35i. Spotted numerous times on the Green Hell with camo on it, the new M Performance model is actually a precursor for future other high-performance cars part of the BMW line-up. For now though, let’s take a closer look at it.

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As we reported a while back, the new BMW X2 M35i comes with the most powerful 2.0 liter four-cylinder turbo engine the Germans ever made. It is rated at 306 PS which translates to roughly 301 HP in the US. It’s an enhanced version of the B48 mill we all have grown to love from cars with the John Cooper Works logo on them. That’s not a coincidence either as this will become the first ever M Performance model to be built atop a FWD platform, namely the UKL architecture.

However, the X2 M35i is not front-wheel drive. Instead, all cars will be all-wheel drive, using an Aisin-sourced 8-speed automatic gearbox to send the power from the engine to the four corners of the car. AWD in combination with Launch Control will make sure that the 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque developed by the engine send you to 100 km/h (62 mph) from standstill in 4.9 seconds which is decent and on par with the competition.

The X2 M35i comes with a couple of specific features, the most impressive being the specially-designed seats you won’t find on any other car. They look brilliant and match the car’s sporty character. Furthermore, the M Sport suspension comes as standard along with an M Sport locking differential for the front axle. This is new for a BMW model, and it will be interesting to see exactly how it works in real life. M Sport brakes come as standard as well with fixed calipers.

BMW claims the steering and suspension setups have been adapted for M Performance levels as well, while the rear axle construction has been redesigned. If you want to get the most out of the car, a suspension with an adaptive spring and damper combination offering two different manually adjustable modes is also optionally available.

From the outside, you’ll distinguish the new X2 M35i thanks to a couple of familiar Cerium Grey accents located on the front bumper and side mirrors. Furthermore, round the back you’ll notice the dual exhaust pipes (100 mm in diameter), the M rear spoiler and from the sides the 19″ wheels. Production is set to kick off in November, this year for the US market and March 2019 for the European one.

2019 BMW X2 M35i