Ah, the long-awaited BMW X2.

Well spotted. It's hardly been a secret, has it? Here are the first official, undisguised images of the 2018 BMW X2 'Sports Activity Coupe' (we'll stick with SUV or crossover, if that's OK with you). It is designed to be the sporty alter-ego to the BMW X1 SUV, as the X4 is to the X3 and the X6 is to the X5. Hence, though it's based on the same wheelbase as the X1, it is shorter overall and much lower. BMW has given it a unique appearance, too, thanks to BMW roundels embedded in the C-pillars and a distinctive upside down interpretation of the company's traditional kidney grilles up front. LED tech features in the lights front and rear, there are 11 different alloy wheel designs and 10 paint colours to choose from. Oh, and a brand new trim level for BMW, called M Sport X.

How can I tell which I'm looking at?

Well, in our picture gallery, the blue car is M Sport and the 'Galvanic Gold' one is M Sport X. In short the standard M Sport car has a lot more body colour where the M Sport X features 'Frozen Grey' detailing to highlight the squared off wheelarch design, side sculpting and rear diffuser, making it look more like an SUV than a regular car. Inside, the M Sport X has Dakota leather with contrast stitching, while the M Sport version has Micro Hexagon fabric Anthracite/Alcantara combination upholstery with M piping in blue or yellow. Both get 19-inch alloys as standard. Otherwise, the cabin is as you'd expect in terms of layout and switchgear, with plenty of storage, lots of personalisation of trim and materials and loads of 'connected' technology. The boot holds 470 litres and there's a flat-folding split rear seat.

And what's under the bonnet?

Petrol power is covered by the X2 sDrive20i (192hp/280Nm), while the diesel range kicks off with the sDrive18d and xDrive18d (both 150hp) and is topped by the xDrive20d (190hp/400Nm). In case you missed the memo, xDrive means four-wheel drive and sDrive is just two-wheel drive, with the front wheels putting power to the road. Depending on model, gearboxes include a six-speed manual, seven-speed dual-clutch automatic or eight-speed torque converter automatic. M Sport suspension, with stiffer springs and dampers and a lower centre of gravity, is standard on M Sport and M Sport X versions of the X2, though all buyers can add Dynamic Damper Control with Sport and Comfort settings.

So when will we see the X2 on UK roads?

The BMW X2 can be ordered from mid-November with prices starting at £33,980 on-the-road. SE and Sport specifications will be offered along with the two M Sport trims.