Legends and Legacies: BMW 2002 Turbo

The 2002 Turbo definitely came at the wrong time! BMW had introduced the car right when the oil crises started. With petrol prices doubling overnight, car buyers became aware of how much it takes to keep their cars running, so they turned away from what BMW had had to offer in search of the compact Japanese offerings.

But there is no denying that the BMW 2002 Turbo is a brilliant ride to have back in the days. BMW marketed the 2002 Turbo as an entry-level saloon and this is the first time BMW installed a turbocharged production car.

The 2002 Turbo is left-hand drive only and because the blower occupies the space normally reserved for the steering column in the right-hand drive car there is no way that BMW could build the 2002 Turbo to be a right-hand drive. The 2002 Turbo is powered by the 2002 tii’s engine couple with a KKK turbocharger to produce an awesome 170bhp at 5800rpm with 240Nm of torque. There were claims that the 2002 Turbo would feel like the normal turbo-less version of the 2002 in the lower revs but once the car hits 4500rpms the turbo boost would cut in to give the driver a gut dropping, back-to-seat sticking rush. The sudden turbo boost makes the car a handful and turned off the appeal of the 2002 Turbo more.

Because of the lack of demand on the 2002 Turbo BMW had taken offense by removing the Turbo lettering on the front spoiler but this did not help the manufacturer increase sales. The 2002 Turbo remained unpopular until BMW decided to end production 10 months after the introduction of the car.