BMW 2002 turbo - the best that can be made from exhaust gas

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BMW 2002 turbo - the best that can be made from exhaust gas

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Created on June 6, 2018

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

45

Bruno von Rotz

6

BMW AG

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Balz Schreier

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Archiv

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - according to the factory, it should be possible to go from 0 to 100 km/h in seven seconds

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - even this close-up makes it clear which car it is

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - the mirror-inverted turbo lettering is missing, which corresponds to the delivery condition

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - when even fast cars still had a simple exhaust system

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - more space for wider tires

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - 5000 units were to be built, but after just over 1600 it was over

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - easily distinguishable from the normal 2002

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - only available in silver and white

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - a "turbo" sign on the rear was enough together with the rear spoiler

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - with the power of the second wind from the exhaust gas turbocharger

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - drives almost like on rails

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - the additional spoilers provided more downforce and less crosswind sensitivity

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - compact and clearly laid out

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - the fender flares in particular set it apart from the slower 2002 tii

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - blessed with a good chassis

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - with eye-catching front spoiler

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - well over 200 km/h fast

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - a pleasure to drive

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - this was the perspective from which most road users of the time saw it

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - 211 km/h was the top speed given by the factory

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - was delivered with four and five gears

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - the screwed-on fender linings and the spoiler set it apart from the normal 2002

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - BMW motorsport colors everywhere

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - BMW hoods used to always open forwards

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - longitudinally mounted in-line four-cylinder engine with turbocharger

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - 170 hp was a high output for a two-liter engine at the time

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - the hood opens forwards

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - the leather steering wheel and the red dashboard distinguish the turbo from the normal 2002

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - the sports seats were not praised by all testers at the time

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - pretty black, the interior

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - you sit well in the sports seats

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - BMW symbol in the steering wheel hub

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - speedometer up to 240 km/h, there were still reserves in it

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - easy-to-read instruments, but neither oil pressure nor oil temperature gauge

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - Boost pressure display

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - Leatherette seats

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - of course with BMW kidney grille

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - one rear-view mirror was enough back then

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - the 2002 lettering is also on it

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - huge turbo lettering

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - large but flat trunk like the normal 2002

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This is what the BMW 2002 turbo looked like in the rear-view mirror when the reversed lettering was reflected back ...

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BMW 2002 ti (1969) - only distinguishable from its siblings by the type designation on the radiator

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BMW 2002 ti (1969) - side view/silhouette

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BMW 2002 ti (1969) - Type designation on radiator

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BMW 2002 ti (1969) - Dashboard of the new vehicle

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BMW 2002 Turbo (1974) - on the road in a Group 5 BMW

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BMW Turbo (1973) - as a BMW test laboratory on wheels

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BMW 2002 turbo (1973) - before the CSL Coupé

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BMW 2002 turbo (1973) - the mirror-inverted lettering caused an uproar - it could only be read correctly in the rear-view mirror of the car in front and meant that you should make way - too aggressive for the time

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BMW 2002 turbo (1973) - early exit, still with turbo lettering on the front spoiler

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - immediately recognizable as a performance sports car

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BMW 2002 Turbo (1973) - 170 hp from a displacement of two liters

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - modified body with widened wheel arches and rear spoiler

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - 211 km/h and around 7 seconds for the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h were the order of the day

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BMW 2002 turbo (1973) - exhibited at the IAA, the BMW high-flyer

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - this emblem indicates 170 hp

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - sporty steering wheel and boost pressure indicator in the dashboard (center)

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - Interior of the turbo with bucket seats and standard seat belts

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - 85 hp per liter displacement for the 170 hp turbo engine

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BMW 2002 turbo (1973) - View of and into the turbo engine

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - fuel-injected and forced-aspiration, the turbo engine from BMW

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BMW 2002 turbo (1973) - the benchmark for sports drivers of the time - note that the ominous mirror-inverted lettering on the front spoiler is missing here - seen at the IAA 1973

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BMW 2002 Turbo (1973) - at the IAA the Turbo stood without the mirror-inverted Turbo lettering - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1973

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BMW 2002 turbo (1973) - Advertising - Evolution

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BMW 2002 turbo (1973) - Advertising - Evolution

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BMW 2002 turbo (1973) - Advertising - Because it makes sense, there's a method to it

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BMW 2002 Turbo together with "Hommage" - Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2016

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BMW 2002 Turbo together with "Hommage" - Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2016

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BMW 2002 turbo (1974) - 170 hp thanks to turbocharger - Techno Classica 2016

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BMW 2002 Turbo (1973) - at the Techno Classica 2014

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BMW 2002 turbo (1973) - the model for the homage - Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2016

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BMW 2002 Turbo (1974) - at the GP Brugger Schachen 2013

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BMW 2002 Turbo (1975) - regularity tests on the Nordschleife at the 2012 ADAC Eifelrennen

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BMW 2002 Turbo (1974) - at the GP Brugger Schachen 2013

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Summary

In 1973, a turbocharger was still a rather exotic tool for increasing performance, which was primarily used in racing but hardly ever on the road. Forced ventilation elicited 170 hp from the BWM inline four-cylinder engine of the 2002 and enabled performance that differed only slightly from that of a Porsche 911. BMW wanted to build 5000 turbo saloons, but in times of the oil crisis and economic downturn, the car was only a limited success, so the 2002 turbo was only built for a short time and remained rare. This driving report portrays a model from 1974, shows the car in historical pictures, makes it sound like a sound sample and tells the story of this rare car.

This article contains the following chapters

Dynamic sports sedans
Race-proven
Civilization
The thing with the lettering
Body building
Faster than a Porsche 911
Only built for a short time
Light on its feet
Further information

Estimated reading time: 7min

Preview (beginning of the article)

In 1973, a turbocharger was still a rather exotic means of increasing performance, used primarily in racing but hardly ever on the road. But that was not the only reason why the BMW 2002 turbo was given such a large and conspicuous name. The BMW 2002 was one of the sporty saloons; in 1971 it was made fit for the competition with a Kugelfischer fuel injection system with 130 hp. Unfortunately, it was faster, at least as far as top speed was concerned. 200 km/h became the measure of all things and the Alpina version with 155 hp easily ran at 210 km/h. BMW could not be left behind. BMW had plenty of experience with performance-enhanced two-liter engines. After all, the 2002 had been skillfully turbocharged and 300 hp had been extracted from the well-behaved four-cylinder. Thus equipped and with thick fender extensions, the Bavarians won the European Touring Car Championship.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

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