The 2026 BMW M2 Turbo Design Edition Is an Homage to the 2002 Turbo

Back in 1974, there was a little coupe from BMW that terrorized racetracks and the autobahn based on the 2002 tii. That was the 2002 Turbo, the first European production car to bolt on a turbo, and it was a riot to drive. Today, BMW is looking to celebrate 51 years of turbo-powered small coupes with the 2026 BMW M2 Turbo Design Edition. You can immediately see the inspirations from that very special 02 series.

The looks that are inspired by the original 2002 Turbo start with the body. It’s dressed in Alpine White with a set of hand-painted tricolor BMW Motorsport stripes that stretch down the side edges of the hood. An additional set of triple-colored stripes flows down the standard M Carbon roof. The final set of tricolor BMW Motorsport stripes adorn the edge of the decklid, which also utilizes an M Performance carbon-fiber rear spoiler.

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Another 2002 Turbo inspiration comes in the form of the reverse printed “Turbo” on the hood “power dome,” which is finished in black. The reversed lettering is direct from the original, as BMW wanted other drivers to know what was charging up in their mirrors. Some additional 2002-ness can be found in the selection of M Shadowline LED headlights.

The original 2002 Turbo grille featured an all-black surround save for the iconic kidneys finished in chrome. Sadly, that chrome kidney trim is missing, but this is an otherwise accurate design choice. Finally, “Turbo” badging on the deck just under the M2 badge finishes off the standard but equally unique body features.

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You’ll have a choice of 19-inch front and 20-inch rear staggered wheel designs for your 2002 Turbo-inspired M2, but the included set is the M Dual-Spoke Style 930M finished in black. You can option for the hero wheels, a set of M Performance Style 1000M in Matte Gold Bronze, for $6,266.

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Performance-wise, the 2026 BMW M2 Turbo Design Edition will retain the 3.0-liter twin-turbo I-6 that punches out 473 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. That's far more than the original 170-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 could ever dream of. The addition of technology and two more cylinders also means the modern Turbo will rocket to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds, a far cry from the 1974 2002 Turbo's 7-second feat.

The modern M2 will come paired with a six-speed manual transmission—just like the old cars did—and be able to hit a top speed of 155 mph. That can increase to 177 mph when the $2,500 M Driver’s package is installed, which also gives you a free day at a BMW high-performance driving school.

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Inside the M2 Turbo Design, the driver and passenger are surrounded by M sport seats trimmed in Black Vernasca Leather with M Color highlights to match the exterior striping. But if you want the lightest seats available, you’ll tick the box for the optional $4,500 M Carbon buckets, which will still feature the Black and BMW Motorsport tricolor treatment.

Steering is done with a standard heated M Alcantara steering wheel, and as the driver reaches for the six-speed shifter, you’ll see the cupholder cover plate features the “Turbo” inscription over the M stripes. You’ll also notice it’s a part of the standard carbon-fiber interior trim found throughout the M2 cabin.

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The driver will find the standard Live Cockpit Professional system includes a head-up display. This is there to help keep their focus on the road more; speed, tachometer, and any other pertinent information drivers need to see is ahead and in their line of sight.

The only disappointing news we can tell you about the 2026 BMW M2 Turbo Design Edition is it will be built in “extremely limited numbers,” according to BMW. Just how limited isn’t mentioned by the Bavarian manufacturer, but we imagine it will suit the $84,075 asking price.

BMW expects to begin production of the 2026 M2 Turbo Design in Q1 of 2026 with deliveries expected in early Q2. But if you want to see it in person before then, you’ll want to make it down to Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia, on October 10 to 11. It will be at BMW’s display during the 2025 running of IMSA’s Motul Petit Le Mans race weekend.