This Is How BMW Does A Throwback

How does BMW pay homage to its earlier cars? By making a totally wicked concept to celebrate the BMW 2002 turbo. The BMW 2002 Hommage was just created by the BMW Group for the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este and to celebrate one of the most iconic BMW’s in its rich history. Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design, stated:

Exactly 50 years ago, the 02 range kick-started an era of success for BMW. This compact coupe is one of the vehicles which made the brand what it is today. The 2002 sat at the top of the range and was the first series-produced car anywhere in Europe to come with turbo technology. That set the seal on the coupe as a genuine sports car. At the same time, the 2002 turbo was at the technological vanguard of engine development at BMW. The BMW 2002 Hommage is our way of raising a glass to all these achievements.

The 2002 Hommage is clearly built upon the 2 series platform but has been seriously modified to exhibit a more retro look, while also possessing a forward looking design. How is that even possible? The most noticeable design element in this car has to be the new fascia, which BMW must have intended to be used as a cowcatcher.

The insanity continues around the side, where sharp creases and panels that tuck and fold into each other has been used in lieu of the 02 turbo’s racing stripes. The missing door handle look is also totally bonkers and we wouldn’t mind seeing it in future cars.

The MASSIVE 20″ rollers on this “tiny” car looks borderline cartoonish. We would normally lambast this type of automotive design behavior, but we can forgive BMW Group this time because the overall design looks out of this world. The very large braking system actually warrants such a large and heavy wheel. Combine this with the drastically steroided front and rear wheel arches and you get a look that befits the head turning package.

Follow the design ’round back and you find a i8-esque tail light configuration complemented with a smooth and clean rear fascia that’s only interrupted by the rear tow hook. We’ll do the pictures do the rest of the talking because this car is just breathtaking. (Source: BMW Group)