The youthful BMW X2 is currently only available with a 2.0-liter turbocharged, inline-4 gasoline engine. It produces 302 horsepower and 322 lb-ft of torque in the range-topping M35i model introduced last year and 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque in the 28i model. If you want more efficiency, we now know that BMW is working on a plug-in hybrid version of the X2, a prototype of which has been spied for the first time.

The X2 is based on the smaller X1, which is already offered as a PHEV in China. BMW has confirmed that the X1 will be offered as a PHEV in the rest of the world, but the compact SUV isn't available in America so the X2 PHEV will fill the void. BMW has already announced plans to add ten new electrified models to its lineup by 2020, so it seems right that the X2 will also arrive as a X2 xDrive 25e PHEV since it shares the platform with the X1.

The X1 xDrive25e uses a revised version of the technology from the BMW 225xe Active Tourer featuring a three-cylinder gasoline engine driving the front axle and an electric motor mounted on the rear axle. This, of course, means the X1 has all-wheel drive when both engines work together and the X2 PHEV is expected to inherit the same tech. Electric range is expected to be around 30 miles.

How do we know this X2 prototype is a hybrid? Well, the "hybrid test vehicle" sticker on the back is an obvious giveaway. The X2 prototype is almost completely devoid of camouflage, apart from some stickers on the fog lights, so there could be some new LED fog lights fitted. Traditionally, BMW X models have used round fog lights, but new models have replaced them with LED strip lights.