BMW 02 Series

BMW 02 Series
BMW 1600-2
Overview
Production	1966–1977: 837,038 units
Body and chassis
Class	Compact executive car (D)
Body style	2-door coupé 2-door convertible 3-door hatchback
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	1,573 cc M10 I4 (1502, 1602) 1,766 cc M10 I4 (1802) 1,990 cc M10 I4 (2002) 1,990 cc M10 turbo I4 (2002 Turbo)
Transmission	4-speed manual 5-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,500 mm (98 in)
Length	4,220–4,230 mm (166–167 in)
Width	1,590–1,620 mm (63–64 in)
Height	1,360–1,410 mm (54–56 in)
Curb weight	940–1,080 kg (2,070–2,380 lb)
Chronology
Successor	BMW 3 Series

The BMW 02 Series is a range of compact executive cars produced by German automaker BMW between 1966 and 1977, based on a shortened version of the New Class Sedans.

The first 02 Series produced was the 1600-2 (later renamed 1602) in 1966. In 1975, the 02 Series was replaced by the E21 3 Series (except for the 1502 model which continued until 1977).

Overview[]

The 1600-2, as the first "02 Series" BMW was designated, was an entry-level BMW, and was smaller, less expensive, and less well-appointed than the New Class Sedan on which it was based.^[1][2] BMW's design director Wilhelm Hofmeister assigned the two-door project to staff designers Georg Bertram and Manfred Rennen.^[3] With 5cm (2in) shorter wheelbase and some 25cm (10in) shorter in length, mainly by shortening the rear deck, the lighter weight of the two-door made it more suitable than the original New Class sedan for sporting purposes.^[1][2] As a result, the two door sedan became the basis of the sporting 02 Series.

Beginning in 1967, a convertible based on the 02 body was built by Karosserie Baur. The original design was a full convertible; after 1971 this was replaced by a targa-top model with fixed window frames called a "top cabriolet" (commonly referred to as a cabrio coach).^[4] A hatchback, called the Touring model, was developed from the 02 body, being available from 1971.^[1][2] Only 25,827 Touring models were sold before the bodystyle was discontinued in 1974.

At the Paris Motor Show in 1969, BMW unveiled a fastback 2002 GT4 concept car.^[5] This model never reached production.

• 

  BMW 1600 Cabriolet

• 

  BMW 2002 Baur Top Cabriolet (Type 114C)

• 

  BMW 2000 Touring (the original Touring model eschewed the "02" suffix)

1600-2 / 1602[]

The 1600-2 (the "-2" meaning "2-door") made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1966^[6] and was sold through 1975, with the designation being simplified to "1602" in 1971.^[1] The badging on the 1600-2 read simply "1600". The 1.6 L M10 engine produced 85 PS (63 kW; 84 hp) at 5,700 rpm and 130 N⋅m (96 lb⋅ft) at 3,500 rpm.^[2] In 1968, Road & Track declared the US$2676 1600 "a great automobile for the price".^[1]

A high performance version, the 1600 TI, was introduced in September 1967. With a compression ratio of 9.5:1 and the dual Solex PHH side-draft carburettor system from the 1800 TI, the 1600 TI produced 105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) at 6,000 rpm. Kerb weight for the 1600 TI is 960 kg (2,116 lb).^[7] Once the 2002 arrived, the 1600 TI was immediately discontinued.

The 1600 TI was not sold in the United States, as it did not meet their emission standards.^[1]

Also introduced in September 1967 was a limited-production cabriolet, which would be produced by Baur from 1967 through 1971. A hatchback 1600 Touring model was introduced in 1971 but was discontinued in 1972.^[1]

2002[]

Helmut Werner Bönsch, BMW's director of product planning, and Alex von Falkenhausen, designer of the M10 engine, each had a two-litre engine installed in a 1600-2 for their respective personal use. When they realized they had both made the same modification to their own cars, they prepared a joint proposal to BMW's board to manufacture a two-litre version of the 1600-2.^[2][3] At the same time, American importer Max Hoffman was asking BMW for a sporting version of the 02 series that could be sold in the United States.^[3]

As per the larger coupe and 4-door sedan models, the 2.0 engine was sold in two states of tune: the base single-carburetor 2002 producing 100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp) and the dual-carburetor high compression 2002 ti producing 120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp).^[1] The 2002 Automatic, with the base engine and a ZF 3HP12 3 speed automatic transmission, became available in 1969.^[1]

In 1971, the Baur cabriolet was switched from the 1.6 L engine to the 2.0 L engine to become the 2002 TopCabriolet, a cabrio coach with a large rollbar and fixed window frames which continued to be available well into 1975. In 1978 Baur presented a TopCabriolet version of the succeeding 3-series as well. The Touring version of the 02 Series became available with all engine sizes at the time, including the 2002 tii (of which only 422 examples were made) as the replacement for the 2002 ti. The 2002 tii used the fuel-injected 130 PS (96 kW; 128 hp) engine from the 2000 tii, which resulted in a top speed of 185 km/h (115 mph). A 2002 tii Touring model was available throughout the run of the tii engine and the Touring body, both of which ended production in 1974.^[1]

The 2002 Turbo was launched at the 1973 Frankfurt Motor Show. This was BMW's first turbocharged production car.^[8] It produced 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) at 5,800 rpm,^[1] with 240 N⋅m (177 lbf⋅ft) of torque. The car had a top speed of 211 km/h. The 2002 Turbo used the 2002 tii engine with a KK&K turbocharger and a compression ratio of 6.9:1 in order to prevent engine knocking. Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection was used, with integrated boost enrichment feature. The 2002 Turbo was introduced just before the 1973 oil crisis, therefore only 1,672 were built.^[9]

1802[]

The 1802 was introduced in 1971 and was available with either the original 2-door sedan body or the 3-door Touring hatchback introduced that year. Power from the 1.8-liter engine is 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) at 5250 rpm. Production of the Touring model continued until 1974, with the 1802 sedan ending production the following year.^[1]

1502[]

The 1502, an economy model with an engine displacement of 1573 cc as the 1602 but lower power of 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp) was introduced in 1975. This engine had a lower compression ratio of 8.0:1, therefore standard-octane petrol could be used. While the rest of the 02 Series was replaced in 1975 by the E21 3 Series, the 1502 was continued until 1977.^[1]

Model year changes[]

1971 facelift[]

In 1971, the 02 Series received a facelift. The 3-door hatchback "Touring" body style (badged "2000" initially) and the 1802 model were introduced as part of the facelift, and the 2002ti was replaced by the 2002tii. Other changes included wraparound bumpers for all models, a 2-piece instrument cluster and new seats.

1973[]

Exterior trim changes, including revised tail-lights (except for Touring models and in the United States, which maintained round tail lights, US models received the revisions for the 1974 model year), grille and kidney trim.

1975[]

The 1502 is introduced as the base model.

Special models[]

2002 ti Diana[]

To celebrate the marriage of racer Hubert Hahne to Diana Körner, twelve custom 2002 ti models were built with changes including twin headlights (from the 2800 CS) a leather interior and Italian aluminium wheels.^[10] Each of the twelve cars were painted in a different colour. There are only four known remaining 2002 ti Diana.^[11]

1602 Elektro[]

For the 1972 Olympic Games, BMW developed the "1602 Elektro" electric-powered concept vehicle.^[12] Two vehicles were produced, and they served as a support vehicle of the long-distance walkers and marathon runners during the games. The 350 kg (772 lb) pack of twelve lead-acid batteries (located under the bonnet) gave a range of approximately 30 km (19 mi).

2002 GT4[]

A special Frua-designed coupe body was developed on the basis of a 2002 Ti. Only two were produced in 1969/1970.^[13]

Production figures[]

Model	Units
2002 (1968−75)	339,092[14]
2002 turbo (1973−75)	1,672[15]
2002 tii (1971−75)	38,703[16]
2000/2002 Touring (1971−74)	15,969[17]
2000/2002 tii Touring (1971−74)	5,783[18]
02 Series Cabriolet (1967−75)  1600 Cabriolet (1967−71)  2002 Baur Cabriolet (1971−75)	4,199[19]   (1,682)[20]   (2,517)[4]
1802 (1971−75)	83,351[21]
1600/1600-2/1602 (1966−75)	266,967[22]
1600 TI (1967−68)	8,670[23]
1502 (1974−77)	72,632[24]

Motorsport[]

The BMW 2002 competed in the Trans Am Series under two liter class, although it saw little success as the class was dominated by Alfa Romeo, Porsche, and Datsun. In the golden age of Trans Am (1966–1972), BMW only garnered two race wins (Bryar and Bridgehampton in 1970).

Hans-Joachim Stuck and Clemens Schickentanz won the 1970 24 Hours Nürburgring driving a 2002.^[25]

Homages[]

In 2015, BMW introduced a pair of concept car paying tribute to the BMW 2002 turbo: the 2002 Hommage Concept and the 2002 Hommage Turbomeister Concept.

References[]

External links[]

• Media related to BMW 02 Series at Wikimedia Commons