The BMW 2002 Turbo that went on sale in 1974 was the first series-produced European vehicle to feature turbocharger technology. It transformed the BMW 2002—already a class-defining sporty two-door, four-seat car—into something of a fire-breathing road-burner. A few years later, BMW conquered the Formula 1 world with its four-cylinder turbocharged engine pushing the Brabham-BMW BT-52 to the World Championship with Nelson Piquet at the wheel—and 1,300 horsepower behind him.
BMW’s turbo journey took it into the 21st century in which government mandates forced most manufacturers of performance cars to add turbochargers to meet emissions and fuel mileage requirements and still produce enough power for driving enthusiasts to have a good time.
Now in its 100th year, BMW is celebrating not only the company’s birthday, but also its first turbo production car by presenting the BMW 2002 Hommage concept car as a tribute to the BMW 2002 Turbo. The company chose the Pebble Beach Concours as the venue to show off the BMW 2002 Hommage with a new retro livery that hearkens back to the days when BMW racing cars wore Jaegermeister colors.
“The BMW 2002 Hommage celebrates the extraordinary feats of engineering on which BMW turbo technology is based and re-interprets them in the form of a design study,” says Karim Habib, Head of Design for BMW Automobiles. “With its iconic orange/black paintwork, the car has a color scheme and livery synonymous in the minds of many motor sport fans with the triumphs of the 1970s.”
The 2002 Hommage, like its namesake, features a long wheelbase with short overhangs and an angular nose. The air dam and scoop in front speaks to the original 2002 Turbo air dam, complete with “Turbo” in reverse letters to let slow cars know what was coming up behind them so quickly. The upswept trunk lid on the Hommage evokes the rear deck spoiler of the original.
Other than the front and rear aero, what set the 2002 Turbo apart from its normal 2002 stable mates were the fender flares that accommodated the car’s wider track. The Hommage provides an even more pronounced, but similar effect with its built-in wide fenders.
The two-tone color paint job, race-style graphics, and “Turbomeister” instead of Jaegermeister immediately force images of past BMW race cars. The multi-spoke wheels and gold brake calipers help out there as well.
The kidney grille of the Hommage may be much shorter and wider than the original 2002 Turbo, but when paired with the two single, round headlights, there is no mistaking the family resemblance.
The gold surrounds and accents also pay tribute to another anniversary. This is the 50th year of the ‘02’s release, which makes 2016 the car’s “Golden” anniversary.
With the BMW 2002 Hommage concept in Turbomeister livery, BMW has reminded us of the history of its most iconic and groundbreaking classic sports coupe, the racing heritage that thrilled enthusiasts from the 1970’s through the present day, and the introduction of turbo technology in production cars that is now essential in keeping its cars both responsible and powerful.
We congratulate BMW on building a concept that looks so good and pays so much tribute to a car that was instrumental in making BMW The Ultimate Driving Machine. So, who doesn’t think it would be a great idea for BMW to offer the 2002 Hommage’s styling as an optional line on the BMW M2?—Scott Blazey
[Photos courtesy of BMW AG.]
