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BMW M2 Turbo Design Edition (2026) — Retro charm and modern performance

Limited edition as a homage to the iconic 2002 Turbo

BMW M2 Turbo Design Edition
Photo: BMW

The new BMW M2 Turbo Design Edition in Alpine White, hand-painted Motorsport stripes and a six-speed manual transmission celebrates the soul of the 2002 Turbo from the 1970s — not for everyone, but for those who love the adrenaline-pumping blend of nostalgia and modern technology.

BMW can evoke memories better than most brands. New BMW M2 Turbo Design Editionn is not just another limited edition for collectors with bulging wallets. It is an elegantly transcribed love letter to the legendary BMW 2002 Turbo – the first European production car with a turbo engine, which in 1974 showed the world that even a small Bavarian coupe could behave in a class of its own.

Fifty years later, BMW is repeating the exercise – and with more style than nostalgia. At a time when cars are increasingly electric and digital, the M division said: “What if we did something completely analog?” And so the M2 Turbo Design Edition was born.

BMW M2 Turbo Design Edition
Photo: BMW
Photo: BMW
Photo: BMW
Photo: BMW

Icons don't age – they just change their bodywork

It all starts with color Alpine White, which serves as a blank canvas for hand-painted Motorsport stripes. Red, blue and light blue wrap around the hood and trunk, just like on the original 2002 Turbo. And if you look up front, you’ll see the word “turbo” written upside down on the hood – so drivers in front can read it correctly in their rearview mirror. Cynical? A little. Brilliant? Absolutely.

The upper part is decorated carbon roof with integrated lines extending from the windshield to the rear spoiler. Combination carbon details and classic graphics, it works as a skillfully coordinated duet of old and new. And if the black 930M wheels aren't eye-catching enough for you, you can order a version in black for an extra few thousand euros. Matte Gold Bronze, which exudes pure seventies motorsport glamour.

Photo: BMW
Photo: BMW
Photo: BMW
Photo: BMW

A cabin for those who still believe in gears

When you open the door, you are greeted by illuminated sills with the words “M2 Turbo” and an interior dressed in black Vernasca leather. Stitching in the colors of the M stripe subtly connects the exterior and interior. And on the center console, another small but meaningful gesture – a retro “turbo” emblem, reminiscent of the times when turbo was a sign of boldness, not a fuel-saving algorithm.

You feel a real rarity under your fingers: six-speed manual transmission. No dual clutch, no buttons, no simulated “sports experience” – just mechanical contact between man and machine. There are fewer and fewer such cars these days, so this M2 is by definition an endemic species.

Photo: BMW
Photo: BMW
Photo: BMW
Photo: BMW
Photo: BMW
Photo: BMW

For those who want even more racing feeling, there are M Carbon bucket seats, while the standard equipment is complemented by heated Alcantara steering wheel, head-up display and adaptive LED lights M Shadowline.

An engine without surprises – but full of character

There are no special tricks under the hood. BMW has kept the same engine as in the regular M2: a 3.0-liter M TwinPower Turbo inline six-cylinder with 473 horsepower (352 kW) and 550 Nm (406 lb-ft) of torque. Acceleration to 100 km/h takes 4.1 seconds, and the top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph) respectively 285 km/h (177 mph) with M Driver's Package.

No extra power, no “Performance Boost” button. BMW says here: It's not how much power you have that matters, but how you use it. And indeed, the feeling of raw mechanics when the transmission clicks into third seems more valuable today than any extra horsepower under the hood.

Photo: BMW
Photo: BMW

Exclusive with limited mileage – even before it leaves the factory

The price? 82,900 US dollars (plus $1,175 in taxes), which is about $17,000 more than the base M2. For those who grumble, remember that even the original 2002 Turbo cost more than most of its competition in 1974—and is now considered a collector's item.

BMW hasn't revealed how many units it will produce, but when they say "very limited series" in Munich, you're thinking something in the hundreds, not thousands. Production starts in January 2026, with first deliveries scheduled for the spring.

Photo: BMW
Photo: BMW
Photo: BMW
Photo: BMW
Photo: BMW

Conclusion: turbo as an artistic expression

BMW M2 Turbo Design Edition It's a rare combination of boldness and respect. It doesn't bring more power, it doesn't bring more speed. It brings a story. And in a time when cars are becoming increasingly impersonal, that matters more than ever.

This M2 isn't made for those looking for the best price-to-horsepower ratio. It's made for those who want to feel what it means to be a part of history - when you grab the gear lever and take it through a corner.

If you're curious about what a memory sounds like when you rev the engine to redline, then you'll understand why this car is more than just an homage. It's a memory that breathes – and breathes through six gears.

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