What It Is: A more rakishly styled SUV sibling to the subcompact BMW X1, this X2, spotted testing at the Nürburgring, is part of the brand’s master plan to leave no niche unfilled in its crossover lineup. BMW already makes the X1, X3, X4, X5, and X6—and the X7 has been confirmed—so an X2 was a no-brainer.

Why It Matters: As crossovers become the default automobile type in the United States (and elsewhere), they’re increasingly unmoored from their original square-back shape. Buyers who want an elevated seating position but find the BMW X1 prosaically utilitarian might be drawn to the X2, which emphasizes style over practicality. In these spy pictures we can see that, compared with the X1, the X2 has a higher beltline, a steeper windshield angle, a slimmer greenhouse, and a less upright rear liftgate. The overall design appears to hew closely to that of the X2 concept.

View Photos BRIAN WILLIAMS

Platform: The X2 will ride on BMW’s UKL platform, a transverse-engine, front-wheel-drive architecture that also underpins the X1, the Europe-market 2-series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer, and the latest generation of Minis. UKL also supports all-wheel drive.

Powertrain: BMW’s turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four is used in the X1 and throughout the Mini lineup, so only a fool would bet against its appearing here. The engine makes 228 horsepower in the X1; we wouldn’t be surprised to see a small bump in output for the X2. An M Performance variant also is possible. And since the X1 exclusively pairs this engine with an eight-speed automatic, figure that it will be the only transmission offering (although the six-speed stick from the Minis would be seem to be at least theoretically possible). Where the X2 might deviate from its numerically lower sibling is in the number of driven wheels. The X1 is front-drive with optional all-wheel drive, but the X2 is likely to be AWD only.

View Photos BRIAN WILLIAMS

Competition: Audi Q3, Infiniti QX30, Mercedes-Benz GLA-class, Range Rover Evoque.

Estimated Arrival and Price: The X2 is less than a year away and should reach dealerships at the beginning of 2018. Pricing will be at a modest premium over an all-wheel-drive X1, so figure about $38,000 to start.

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