THE BMW M2 TURBO DESIGN EDITION IS A MODERN LOVE LETTER TO THE ICONIC '74 BMW 2002 TURBO
At this year’s Motul Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, BMW dropped something that got the petrolheads buzzing harder than pit lane during qualifying - the 2026 BMW M2 Turbo Design Edition. Draped in Alpine White, wearing hand-painted Motorsport stripes and that unmistakable black hood with the reversed “turbo” script, this limited-run M2 pays homage to one of BMW’s most legendary creations - the 1974 BMW 2002 turbo. Only a few lucky enthusiasts will ever get their hands on one when production kicks off in January 2026, but those who do will be sitting behind the wheel of a rolling tribute to BMW’s first-ever turbocharged production car - a machine that helped define BMW’s performance identity for generations. Back in 1973, BMW unveiled the 2002 turbo at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the first European production car to sport a turbocharger. It was a small car with big ambitions: a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, boosted by a single KKK turbocharger, pumping out 125 kW (up from 96 kW in the 2002 tii). It could crack 0-100 km/h in under seven seconds, which was pretty wild for the time. The 2002 turbo wore flared fenders, a massive front air dam, a black rear spoiler, and those now-iconic reverse “2002 turbo” graphics on the nose - a cheeky warning for anyone about to be overtaken on the Autobahn. It wasn’t subtle, and that’s exactly why it became a legend.
Fast forward five decades, and BMW has channelled that same rebellious spirit into the M2 Turbo Design Edition. Built exclusively with a 6-speed manual gearbox, it’s powered by BMW’s 3.0-litre M TwinPower Turbo straight-six that churns out 348 kW and 550 Nm. That’s enough to rocket the little coupe from 0–100 km/h in around 4.1 seconds, with a top speed of 250 km/h (or 285 kW with the optional M Driver’s Package). Visually, the M2 Turbo Design Edition is pure nostalgia with a modern twist. The hand-painted tri-colour stripes wrap around the hood and trunk, linked by additional striping across the carbon fibre roof panel. The black power dome carries the reversed “turbo” script like the original, while a carbon fibre spoiler on the rear decklid ties it all together. Standard 19-inch front and 20-inch rear M Dual-Spoke wheels (Style 930M) come finished in black, though buyers can spec the stunning M Performance 1000M wheels in Matte Gold Bronze for the ultimate throwback look. The M Sport seats are finished in Black Vernasca Leather with M Colour Highlights, echoing the stripes outside. Carbon fibre trim, a heated M Alcantara steering wheel, and unique “M2 turbo” sill plates round out the cabin details. BMW even fitted a plaque on the centre console with the “turbo” insignia - a small but perfect nod to the past.
Standard spec includes:
Alpine White paint with hand-painted 2002 turbo-inspired graphics
M Carbon fibre roof with integrated M striping
M Performance carbon rear spoiler
6-speed manual transmission
Adaptive Full LED Lights with M Shadowline trim
Carbon fibre interior trim and heated M Alcantara steering wheel
Wireless device charging, Live Cockpit Professional with Head-Up Display
19”/20” M Dual-Spoke 930M wheels in Black
Optional extras:
M Performance 1000M wheels in Matte Gold Bronze
M Carbon bucket seats
M Driver’s Package
Base price: $82,900, or around R1,436,000.
Take a look at the YouTube video hosted by the chaps at Planet Car News that takes a closer look at the rad new homage car from BMW USA that was created to pay respects to the iconic 1974 BMW 2002 Turbo: 2026 BMW M2 Turbo Design Edition | Planet Car News
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