During the Industry Pool at the Nürburgring youtuber Automotive Mike has filmed the 2019 BMW X2 M35i.

The BMW X2 range will be topped by a M35i xDrive model with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that’s good for 296bhp, leaked technical specifications have suggested.

Autocar revealed that the X2 would get an M-fettled version earlier this year, but Motor.es has now published an engine line-up suggesting the M35i name will be adopted for the car, rather than M40i – as is the trend used by the hot version of the regular 2 Series model.

As such, the X2 M35i is expected to use a turbocharged four-pot motor, as opposed to the M240i’s 3.0-litre straight-six unit, when it arrives later in the X2’s life cycle.

Before then, the X2 will come with a brace of 148bhp, 187bhp and 227bhp 2.0-litre diesels bearing xDrive18d, xDrive20d and xDrive25d badges. One petrol will be available at launch, the xDrive20i, with a 2.0-litre turbocharged unit producing 189bhp. Six-speed manual or automatic gearboxes will be available across the range.

It’s unlikely that a full-fat X2 M will arrive any time soon; although, if it does, it’s predicted to make use of the aforementioned 3.0-litre six and be good for around 350bhp.

Based on the same UKL1 platform as the Mini Countryman, the X2 will slot between the second-generation X1 and the current X3 in BMW’s line-up when it goes on sale in the second quarter of next year.

BMW officials have already confirmed to Autocar that the X2 will follow the example of the larger X4 and X6 in receiving a uniquely styled steel body. Recent spy pictures show the X2 will be significantly longer and wider than the X1, with a shorter rear overhang and high-set bonnet. The extreme angle of the tailgate is designed to give the X2 a more coupé-like silhouette, differentiating it from the more practical X1.

The X2’s design was previewed with the X2 concept and recent patents filed with Japanese authorities (pictured below) confirm that production car’s look will largely be retained.

Much of the dramatic X2 concept’s features have been carried over to the production model, although the window line has been lowered to create a larger glasshouse and the front lights have been widened.

The X2 will be produced alongside the X1 at BMW’s Regensburg factory in Germany, unlike the first-generation X1, which was built alongside the 1 Series and 3 Series at the company’s Leipzig plant. Increasing demand for key models and the establishment of production lines for the i3 electric car and i8 hybrid sports car at that site has forced BMW to reorganise its strategy.

Rivals for the X2 include the Range Rover Evoque, Land Rover Discovery Sport and Volvo XC60.