The Compact Sedan That Defined BMW’s Modern Identity

Though the trendy BMW takes many kinds, the compact sport sedan is arguably the place the model hit fanatic paydirt first. And no different automotive did extra to assist BMW discover its fashionable roots than the BMW 02 Collection. Extremely, this yr marks 60 years because the automotive modified the face of BMW perpetually. What’s much more shocking, the automotive’s legacy has arguably by no means mattered extra.

1966: The BMW 02 Collection Debuts

The primary of the 02 Collection BMWs was the 1600-2. It debuted in March 1966 on the Geneva Worldwide Motor Present. The automotive derived from the Neue Klasse (New Class) automobiles of the early Sixties, although it was total smaller and lighter in an effort to be extra sporting. BMW trimmed practically 12 inches (30 cm) off the automotive in whole, along with two inches (5 cm) taken out of the wheelbase. Wilhelm Hofmeister — who by this time had already contributed the eponymous “Hofmeister kink” to the model’s legacy — tailored the cabin to its new, smaller dimensions. He additionally gave the automotive’s entrance finish a lightweight redesign that made it simply totally different sufficient from the New Class to face out. Mixed with substantial weight financial savings, the automotive was a commensurately higher performer than its New Class brethren.

Good Issues Come to These Who Wait

For those who’re unfamiliar, it’s possible you’ll surprise why BMW wanted the 02 Collection in any respect. The New Class had already rescued the corporate from monetary dire straits by the late Sixties. However there was nonetheless lots to do. Whereas the New Class automobiles had been profitable, they didn’t solely restore BMW’s sporting repute from the pre-war days. The 1600-2, later renamed 1602, was an early step in the direction of what would ultimately develop into the corporate’s legacy.

The automotive’s heat reception and recognition led to speedy improvement on the BMW facet. Much more centered variations got here to the general public: first, the 1600ti in 1967, which made round twenty extra horsepower than the 1600-2 (roughly 105 horsepower vs. 85 horsepower). Arguably extra necessary was introduction of the BMW 2002. Changing the 1.6-liter M10 engine with the bigger 2.0-liter modified the character of the automotive, however there have been much more necessary ramifications. The bigger engine occurred to fulfill emissions requirements in what would ultimately develop into BMW’s “second dwelling” market: america.

The 2002 was critically properly obtained and allowed BMW to proceed to construct upon the 02 Collection. Maybe essentially the most well-known 02 of all was the 2002 Turbo, which debuted in 1973 on the Frankfurt Motor Present. With practically 170 horsepower on faucet and a feisty turbocharged engine — Europe’s first mass-produced turbocharged automotive, by the way in which — it reshaped expectations for what a BMW could possibly be. Sadly, the automotive was roughly hobbled by the Oil Disaster later that very same yr. By 1975, BMW changed the growing older 02 with a nameplate you most likely acknowledge: the BMW 3 Series.

BMW 02 Collection: 60 Years Later

Regardless that the 2002 Turbo was nearly comically ill-timed, the phrase was out. Low manufacturing quantity makes the automotive much more fascinating at the moment than ever: you’ll discover examples buying and selling for nearer to $200,000 USD than you may anticipate. In fact, if you happen to simply need to dip your toe into the 02 Collection, there are many choices there, too. BMW produced practically 850,000 examples of the 02 throughout its totally different configurations; discovering one isn’t a very daunting job. The automotive’s accessibility and enduring appeal make it an ideal fanatic choose even six many years later.

Keep in mind, the BMW 02 Collection birthed from the Neue Klasse of its day. With a next-gen New Class dawning this yr — starting with the iX3 — we will solely hope BMW remembers the street map. A smaller, lighter, performance-focused automotive based mostly on the NK structure may radically redefine how efficiency EVs are checked out. Whereas it stays to be seen if BMW has plans to recreate the 02 Collection, it doesn’t harm to dream. Even when a contemporary 02 by no means occurs, the unique’s legacy lives on. In any case, there wouldn’t be an iX3 with out an X3, or an X3 with no 3 Collection. And it’s not possible to get to three if you happen to can’t first depend to 02.