Monday, September 30, 2024

BMW X2 U10 and iX2

The BMW X2 is now in its second generation and it gained its all-electric iX2 equivalent. So, what's it all about the all-new X2 and the first-ever iX2? Come here and let's explain.

2025 BMW X2
2025 BMW X2

2025 BMW iX2
2025 BMW iX2

The BMW X2 U10, starting at 47,500 Euros plus additional costs, and the first-ever BMW iX2, starting at 49,900 Euros plus additional costs, showcased something that the predecessor failed to be, a proper coupe-crossover sized to X1 proportions.

While the coupe-crossover is something the all-new X2 wanted to be, there's something about its new looks. It looks like a mini-me XM, especially the crazy XM-styled front face. At the back, BMW borrowed something from Mazda's design department for the taillights.

2025 BMW X2
2025 BMW X2 interior


Like its X1 equivalent, the all-new BMW X2 has an interior similar to the latest 2-Series Active Tourer. It has the new BMW Curved Display, which takes center stage on the driver's side. The display runs on the latest BMW Operating System 9, which has noticeable features, including voice control that works like Alexa. Unfortunately, the new model has a floating center console that removes the storage space under the armrest, making it more difficult to store your stuff. On the plus side, the X2 has more interior space than the previous model.

2025 BMW iX2
2025 BMW iX2

Because it runs on the improved FF platform just like its X1 equivalent, the X2 U10 feels slightly improved compared to the previous model, although unhappy about it.

Under the hood, the X2 is offered with the choice of a 1.5L petrol with 48V mild hybrid system, a 1.5L diesel, and exclusive to the M35i xDrive variant, a 2.0L turbo engine with 300PS of power. Mated to a seven-speed DCT, it does 0-100kph in 5.4 seconds and an electronically-limited top speed of 250kph.

The iX2, with its 64.8kWh lithium battery pack, is offered with a choice from a 150kW eDrive20 with 459km of driving range up to the 230kW xDrive30 variant that propels this SUV to a 0-100kph time of 5.6 seconds and a top speed of a Japanesey 180kph. If the iX2 is good enough on the streets of Tokyo, it's good enough on the streets of Berlin.

Both the new X2 and the iX2 are armed with the most advanced safety features offered. These include the Driving Assistant package with AEB, passive cruise control, and Parking Assistant, among others.

The X2 is the coupe-crossover equivalent of the X1 and this new version is literal indeed, although the XM-styled nose is something the neighborhood should look out for. Still, with its slightly improved packaging and the addition of the iX2 made the all-new X2 worth noticeable from top to bottom. In the end, this is the new normal, after all.

Photo: BMW AG 

Let's Do The News! (September 30, 2024)

      

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- The National Food Authority has raised the selling price of the NFA rice, which serves as the Philippines' buffer stock and is mainly used during calamities for the government's series of relief operations.

- Typhoon Julian grew stronger as it moved through the Balintang Channel. According to PAGASA's 8AM Tropical Cyclone Bulletin, 'Julian' was spotted in the waters of Balintang Islands, Calayan, Cagayan and moving west-northwest at a speed of 10 kilometers per hour.

- Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa strongly denies that he was involved in the alleged "courtesy call" and meeting of police officers with former President Rodrigo Duterte in Davao City that is linked to the death of three Chinese drug lords inside the Davao Penal Farm and Prison in August 2016.

- House Appropriations Committee Chairman and Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co is confident that the Senate will pass the 2025 budget as soon as possible to continue important government programs and improve the lives of every Filipino.

- Projections suggest Austria's far-right Freedom Party heading for unprecedented general election victory.

- Israeli forces continue attacking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon even after the death of Hezbollah leader Nasrallah. Smoke rises over Hezbollah's Beirut stronghold after recent Israeli strikes.

- Grand Blue Dreaming TV anime renewed for its second season.

- DXMON member Jo has officially left the group.

- Actress Park Jia passed away after her battle with cerebral infarction.

- Actress Joo Sae Byeok confirms marriage to a non-showbiz boyfriend.

- Team USA wins the Presidents Cup for the 10th consecutive time.

- Hollywood actor-singer Kris Kristoffersson died at the age of 88.

TTFN.

2024 NASCAR Cup Series - Hollywood Casino 400

With 12 playoff contenders remaining, the fight for the final 8 is now on as the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs continue with Hollywood Casino 400 Presented by ESPN Bet in Kansas Speedway.

As the green flag waved, the fight for the final 8 is officially on. The first stage saw Kyle Larson blow a right rear tire and crash on Lap 20. As William Byron won Stage 1, Stage 2 saw Erik Jones spinning on Lap 99 followed by Daniel Hemric's Lap 145 disaster, a Lap 149 trouble for both John Hunter Nemechek and Justin Haley, and a Lap 158 disaster when Austin Cindric got spun following his clash with Kyle Busch. As Alex Bowman won Stage 2, the final stage saw Kyle Busch spinning on Lap 237 following his clash with Chase Briscoe followed by Todd Gilliand sent Carson Hocevar spinning on Lap 244.

2024 NASCAR Cup Series - Hollywood Casino 400
Screengrab from NASCAR

Sadly, another non-playoff driver spoiled the playoff fight as Ross Chastain won the Hollywood Casino 400 of the NASCAR Cup Series.

The fight for the final 8 continues in Talladega Superspeedway for the YellaWood 500 this October 6th, 2024.

WRC 2024 - Rally Chile Bio Bío

The 2024 World Rally Championship continues with the Rally Chile Bio Bio. As September ends, the rally is heating up as drivers fight through Latin America's worsts.

WRC 2024 - Rally Chile Bio Bío
Screengrab from WRC

As Esapekka Lappi showcased his promising results in the shakedown, the opening stages saw an upper hand for Elfyn Evans following a COC decision for the rally's opening stages. However, in the Saturday stages, his domination got lost in the fog, allowing Kalle Rovanpera to snatch his lead and soldier on to the end of this rally event.

Kalle Rovanpera won the Rally Chile Bio Bio, beating out Evans by 23.4 seconds. Hyundai driver Ott Tanak finished third.

After Chile, Thierry Neuville remains in the lead with 192 points. Ott Tanak is in 2nd with 158 points and Sebastien Ogier is in 3rd with 154 points.

The next event is the Central European Rally which stretches across Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic, from October 17 to 20, 2024.

Sunday, September 29, 2024

DTM 2024: Red Bull Ring

With September finally finished, the DTM 2024 season continues at the Red Bull Ring, home of the Austrian Grand Prix of Formula 1. Although the GT3 machines don't deliver the same intensity as the Formula 1 racers that raced there, they still pack the action and the drama fans expect as DTM's 40th-anniversary celebration nears its climax.

DTM 2024: Red Bull Ring
Screengrab from DTM

In the first part, SSR Performance's Mirko Bortolotti fended Winward's Maro Engel for the win. At the same time, Arjun Maini, an Indian driver representing Mercedes-AMG Team HRT, completed the podium with his third-place finish. The same goes for the final part of DTM's Spielberg campaign, where Schubert Motorsport's Rene Rast won ahead of Manthey EMA's Thomas Preinning.

DTM's 40th-anniversary celebration is coming to an end. The season finale will be held at Hockenheimring from October 17 to 20, 2024. Mirko Bortolotti currently leads the driver standings. Will he be crowned champion? Don't miss it!

Saturday, September 28, 2024

Gran Turismo World Series 2024 - Tokyo

Tokyo, Japan is the penultimate venue of the Gran Turismo World Series 2024. Although this is basically the home turf of the Gran Turismo series as well as its hometown GT7 players taking part in the Manufacturers Cup and Nations Cup, this is no homecoming for them as there's a lot of action that deserves to be done before the big finale.

Gran Turismo World Series 2024 - Tokyo
Screengrab from Gran Turismo

Beginning with the Manufacturers Cup, Lexus driver K. Kawakami is the solid winner of this round while T. Miyazono, the Subaru driver who is the favorite according to observers, settles for second place and S. Suzuki of BMW finished 3rd.

In the Nations Cup, meanwhile, K. Drumont from France is the winner while Spain's J. Serrano fended Japan's T. Miyazono off for his 2nd Place finish.

The Gran Turismo World Series 2024 will conclude in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, this December 6-8, 2024. Who will be crowned the champions? What surprises await for GT7 players? Don't miss it!

Let's Do The News! (September 28, 2024)

      

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- The fourth multilateral maritime cooperative activity involving the AFP and defense forces from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States has kicked off.

- Tropical Depression Julian intensified into a tropical storm while slowly moving south-southwest in the Philippine ocean.

- The suspension of 141 officials and employees of the National Food Authority (NFA) linked to the alleged anomalous sale of the government's rice buffer stocks to favored private traders has been lifted by the Office of the Ombudsman.

- The PBBM administration declared Misamis Occidental insurgency-free.

- The Israeli military says it killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and other commanders in a series of overnight strikes in Beirut. Thousands displaced over Beirut's streets after Israeli strikes target Hezbollah leader Nasrallah.

- Michael Andretti is reportedly planning to relinquish his shares in the Andretti Global Company. If so, he is no longer the owner of the organization, although he still wishes to remain involved in another capacity.

- McLaren will unveil its newest hypercar called the W1 this October 6, 2024.

- The World Anti-Doping Agency has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against an independent tribunal's decision in August to clear world No.1 Jannik Sinner of wrongdoing after he failed drug tests.

- Dame Maggie Smith, who starred in Harry Potter movies and Downton Abbey TV series, passed away at the age of 89.

TTFN.