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BMW’s X2 crossover SUV is getting the brand’s Neue Klasse face.

X2 will also inherit iX3’s pillar-to-pillar Panoramic iDrive system.

Electric iX2 in line for Neue Klasse updates but with blanked grille.

BMW ‘s design overhaul isn’t slowing down. In fact, it’s picking up the pace and the latest model headed for a Neue Klasse-inspired makeover is the X2. Fresh spy shots show the coupe crossover wearing camouflage ahead of a mid-cycle refresh that should bring it into line with its iX3 and X5 big brothers.

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More: 2027 BMW X5 Drops Door Handles For Wings, Adds A 435-Mile Electric iX5

Sightings of this X2 prototype come after we spied facelifted versions of its X1 twin , which isn’t surprising given the two crossovers share so much beneath the skin. Like its more practical sibling, the X2 is set to receive a visual refresh rather than a complete redesign, but the changes should be obvious enough to make it feel much newer.

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The biggest transformation happens up front. Although camouflage hides most of the details, it’s clear BMW is fitting a redesigned fascia inspired by the Neue Klasse family. Expect slimmer headlights with totally new DRL signatures (but probably not like the Elon-loving X5’s “X” DRLs), and a retro-inspired reshaped kidney grille treatment.

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Scoop: BMW’s Hottest X1 Is Getting The iX3’s Face And Maybe A New Name

Nothing major will happen along the flanks, but the rear end is also expected to receive revised lighting with updated graphics, helping distinguish the facelift from today’s X2 without dramatically altering its familiar coupe-like profile. Let’s hope the designers put some real effort into the back end, because the current model’s rump is the worst part of a controversial design many believe is simply ugly.

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One particular detail gives away exactly what’s hiding beneath the camouflage of the prototype rising on the transporter. Unlike BMW’s electric models, this entry-level Sport-grade prototype features a functional lower air intake beneath the kidney grilles, confirming it’s powered by an internal combustion engine. Two rear shots of a different prototype, this time on the road, make it even easier for us. Its four M Performance tailpipes tell us we’re looking at an updated X2 M35i rather than the battery-powered iX2 (or ICE X2) in M Sport trim.

Electric iX2 Follows The Same Path

The electric version won’t be left behind, though. Expect the iX2 to receive essentially the same exterior redesign, only with the smoother, mostly blanked-off front fascia typical of BMW’s EVs. Without a gasoline engine to cool, it simply doesn’t need the same airflow openings.

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Inside, the updates should be more dramatic. BMW will install its latest Panoramic iDrive system, replacing the current layout with the brand’s newest digital interface that’s gradually rolling out across the lineup. That means a pillar-to-pillar digital display at the base of the windshield instead of a conventional gauge cluster, and a tablet-form infotainment touchscreen floating off the main dashboard.

Spied: BMW’s Smallest EV Now Looks Like A Mini iX3

The current 2026 BMW X2.

Don’t expect major mechanical changes when the covers come off, probably this fall, though the engines and motors could gain the odd horsie and a few miles of electric range thanks to the use of the newest battery cell chemistry. The current X2 already offers turbocharged four-cylinder power in xDrive28i and M35i forms, while buyers outside of the US can choose between iX2 eDrive20 and dual-motor xDrive30 electric variants.

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The cult classic Half-Life 2 mod series Entropy: Zero has another entry in the works, and speaking as a fan of Thief, Deus Ex, and all things immersive sim, Entropy: Zero 2 - Progenitors may be the most exciting one yet.

Entropy: Zero has always presented the bad guys' side of things in Half-Life, but Progenitors trades the first two episodes' standard Combine trooper for a super sneaky assassin type⁠—she strikes me as a riff on the black ops ninjas from Half-Life 1.

Progenitors takes place an indeterminate amount of time after the Seven Hour War where the Combine took over the Earth, and our assassin protagonist is charged with taking out the rogue Progenitor from which the Combine's soldiers were first cloned or otherwise derived (or something). If Mr. P turns out to be Adrian Shephard from Opposing Force, I'll think about eating my shoe.

It's a neat take on the Half-Life lore bolstered by some great visual direction. All of the Entropies: Zero have done a great job of blending and homaging various eras of Half-Life⁠—Zero 2 took place in an Aperture Science facility and paired you with a snarky turret companion⁠—and Progenitors looks to be turning its gaze toward Opposing Force. I'm particularly fond of the evil Combine United Nations logo⁠—it's giving the dark Nazi future gags from MachineGames' Wolfensteins.

As for gameplay, developer Blixibon has been sharing clips of new weapons and mechanics on YouTube, and Progenitors looks incredibly ambitious⁠—practically an immersive sim, or at least a shooter-immsim hybrid like Dark Messiah or the aforementioned neo-Wolfensteins. Blixibon's latest clip shows a player pickpocketing an enemy soldier then throwing a beer bottle to distract him. We have Dishonored 3 at home, god bless it.

Breadmen Breadmen Breadmen Breadmen Breadmen Breadmen Breadmen Progenitors does not have an estimated release date, and the latest blog post on its ModDB page alludes to development difficulties and creative burnout on the part of some team members.

But it sounds like the worst of it is behind them, and this is an incredibly exciting project. You can keep up with Entropy: Zero 2 - Progenitors via its ModDB page and Blixibon's YouTube channel .

2026 games : All the upcoming games

Best PC games : Our all-time favorites

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Few authors have understood the world of espionage better than the brilliant John le Carré , whose novels are among the greatest works of fiction ever crafted about the Cold War. Although le Carre’s work began by exploring the tension between democratic nations and the Soviet Union during the post-World War II era, The Night Manager was a more recent effort, as it addressed the threat of terrorism in 1993. Even though the perception of what terrorism is has changed radically in the years since the book was originally written, The Night Manager identified the role that arms dealers played within global violence based on their willingness to sell advanced weaponry to the highest possible bidder. The Night Manager was the latest of le Carre’s work to be adapted, and the series transformed a simple cat-and-mouse game into an epic thriller worthy of the James Bond franchise.

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Here at TPG, we love our transferable credit card points and miles . You can use them to book award travel with various airline and hotel partners, even if you're not loyal to said airlines and hotels.

For instance, Rachel once transferred Chase Ultimate Rewards points to World of Hyatt and redeemed them for a weeklong stay in Hawaii — even though she'd never set foot in a Hyatt.

You might be planning to transfer credit card rewards once you've earned a lucrative welcome bonus . Or, if a great redemption option comes up, you could find yourself transferring points or miles unexpectedly. In this case, you'll want to do this as quickly and painlessly as possible, so it's worth doing a little bit of setup now to save yourself time later.

Your point transfers could be slowed down if your partner loyalty account is relatively new, which can affect your redemptions. Here's why we recommend setting up loyalty accounts as soon as possible, even if you don't have any transfers planned.

Related: How (and why) you should earn transferable credit card points and miles

Why transfer times matter

Hana-Maui Resort. ETHAN TWEEDIE/HYATT Even the most well-planned redemption can fall through if award availability gets snapped up while you're waiting for your points to appear in your airline or hotel account.

Transfer times range from a few seconds to several days, depending on the type of credit card rewards and the transfer partner. See our guides to transfer times for American Express Membership Rewards , Bilt , Capital One miles , Chase Ultimate Rewards , Citi ThankYou Rewards and Wells Fargo Rewards to learn more.

But remember, these transfer times can be longer if you recently opened your partner account. The longer you have to wait for the transfer, the more likely award space will disappear before your points or miles make the journey.

Former TPG director of content Andrea Rotondo experienced this when she transferred Chase Ultimate Rewards points to her Air Canada Aeroplan account — which she had opened five days earlier — for a business-class redemption on Swiss .

Although Chase points typically transfer to Aeroplan instantly , Andrea's points took around 36 hours to reach her Aeroplan account. Thankfully, the seats she was trying to book were still available when the transfer was finally completed. If they hadn't been, she would have been stuck with no tickets and thousands of Aeroplan points that she may or may not be able to use.

Related: Who are the Chase Ultimate Rewards airline and hotel transfer partners?

Why you should register for loyalty accounts now

United Polaris business class. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY You can minimize your transfer times (and save yourself a step in the transfer process) by setting up loyalty accounts in advance. If your hotel or airline partner loyalty account is already established before you link your accounts and initiate a transfer, you can expect transfer times to be on par with our guides, and there won't be any added stress or complexity when you are ready to book that dream redemption.

This has the added benefit of helping you search for award availability , since some airlines and hotels make it harder or even impossible to search award rates if you're not logged into an account.

Bottom line

We recommend joining the loyalty programs of all the major U.S. carriers (or the most prominent airlines in your location) and hotel chains now. It's free to sign up, it can help you search for award availability and it will ensure your points or miles transfer as quickly as possible when you're ready to redeem them.

Just keep track of your login info to avoid getting locked out of any loyalty accounts.

Related: The 4 best Chase credit cards to apply for right now

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.