The 2002 Turbo was the first European car to go on sale with a turbocharged engine in order to boost performance. Based on BMW's smallest car, the 2002tii (itself based on the smaller engined 1602) it was produced for one year only between 1973 and 1974. Only 1672 Turbo's were produced in total, as it had the misfortune to be launched into the teeth of the first world energy crisis in 1973. It was a super car to drive, with great performance (the turbocharger gave it 170bhp and a 130mph top speed, compared to the 2002tii it was based on, which had 130bhp and a 120mph top speed) and good, if sometimes tricky handling. Like most BMW's of the time, it had semi-trailing arm rear suspension and rear wheel drive (still a BMW core value) which meant the rear end could swing out on cornering.
The reason it was a commercial failure was not because it was a bad car, but because it was the wrong car for the time. All performance cars were out of favour due to spiraling fuel costs, and as a result they did not sell because buyers wanted economy, not outright power and performance. The 2002 Turbo was only made in left hand drive, as the place in the small engine bay where the steering column passed through on right hand drive cars was taken up by the turbocharger.
Another unique feature of the Turbo was it's wheelarch extensions, rear bootlid spoiler and a deep front spoiler with the script "2002 Turbo" written backwards on it. The idea was that when a driver ahead looked in his or her rear view mirror at an oncoming 2002 Turbo, the backwards written script would appear forwards to them and they would know that it was no ordinary 2002 behind them. Hence the message was "get out of my way!". Only the first run of 2002 Turbo's had this feature, and BMW deleted it early on in the short production run as it was not seen to be politically correct, and overly aggressive.
Kyosho make this model, and they are also bringing out the non-turbo 2002tii as well. Both are part of the "BMW Exclusive" range of models which can only be bought through BMW dealers. However, a hobby shop version (in different packaging) will most likely become available later on, which will be available more widely. It has just been released now (May 2001) to dealers, so it is likely that a non-exclusive version will appear in hobby shops before Christmas 2001.
It is a superb model, which captures the look of the real car perfectly, right down to the aggressive front spoiler and the colourful stripe down the side of the bodywork. The paintwork and overall fit and finish is very good. The interior is well modelled, as is the boot, complete with a removable rubber mat, which lifts out to reveal the spare tire. My only real criticism is that there are no markings on the walls of the tires, which is something I've noticed on other BMW Exclusive models too. Possibly to avoid licensing problems, these models have "generic" tires with blank sidewalls.
- Bodywork/Scale =/10
- Paint =/10
- Decals/Tampos/Badges =/10
- Interior =/10
- Engine =/10
- Wheels =/10
- Brakes =/10
- Lights =/10
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