The all-new BMW X2 made its debut just a few days ago, yet the company is already employing it for its participation in the Rebelle Rally. This otherwise road-focused coupe-crossover has undergone a series of modifications to better prepare it for its off-road rally car role. BMW opted for the performance-orientated M35i model as the foundation for the rally car, taking advantage of the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that produces 312 hp and 400 Nm of torque. The most notable modification involves adding Rotiform ZMO-M wheels equipped with grippy Falken Wildpeak All-Terrain tires, along with the installation of a spare tire carrier in the trunk.
Custom skid plates and underbody
protection make the X2 more resilient to rocks, with a Thule Caprock roof rack
providing space for mounting extra equipment and additional LED lights by
Morimoto. The off-road recovery gear is sourced by Smittybilt, while the
external odometer by TerraTrip. To complete the rally car aesthetics, a
distinctive livery and tow straps from BMW M Performance Parts have been added.
The BMW X2 M35i will participate in the
X-Cross Class of the Rebelle Rally, featuring an experienced crew comprising
driver Rebecca Donaghe and navigator Sedona Blinson. Notably, this marks BMW’s
debut in the event, as the company seeks to demonstrate the X2’s durability and
endurance on challenging terrain, even though its typical customer base may
seldom venture off-road.
The Rebelle Rally stands as the longest
off-road rally competition in the United States. Spanning 8 days, this event
encompasses a grueling journey of more than 1,300 miles through the challenging
and unforgiving desert terrains of California and Nevada. Commencing on October
12 at the Mammoth Mountain Resort in California, the rally is set to conclude
on October 21 near the Mexican border at the Imperial Dunes. The 2024 BMW X2 is
expected to arrive in US dealers in the first quarter of 2024. The US-spec
model will be available in xDrive 28i and M35i trims starting from US$ 42,000 and US$ 51,400 respectively. Meanwhile, the European lineup of the BMW X2 comprises
the sDrive20i, xDrive18d, and M35i xDrive variants.
