02 From BMW: The Beginning Of The Everyday Athlete

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02 From BMW: The Beginning Of The Everyday Athlete
02 From BMW: The Beginning Of The Everyday Athlete

Video: 02 From BMW: The Beginning Of The Everyday Athlete

Video: 02 From BMW: The Beginning Of The Everyday Athlete
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In the early sixties, BMW ventured into sporty sedans. In the legendary 02 series, however, the top model, which was revolutionary for the time, could not establish itself.

By Heiko Haupt

The so-called retro design is now considered to be yesterday's idea again. Even so, automakers never tire of referring to famous models from the past when they launch their new products. The latest example is BMW, where the four-door 1-series is followed by a two-door coupé. This sporty variant is a bit more handsome, which probably gave the management the courage to put it on a par with a real legend of the house: The new 1 Series is being praised as the descendant of the 02 series - the model that helped in the 1960s to cement the BMW image of sportiness.

First step in the right direction

After the BMW group strategy had caused a stir for some time due to wrong decisions and failures, a first step in the right direction was taken at the beginning of the sixties. A four-door model was designed which, in the age of more comfortable limousines, was characterized by its sportiness and modern technology - the so-called New Class was born.

When the company celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1966, it was necessary to combine the anniversary with another new model. BMW had built a car that should poach where previously compact and sporty Italian models were at home.

New features

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In the spotlight was a compact two-door sedan in a relaxed design. The front was reminiscent of the successful four-door models. But the model name 1600-2 made it clear that it was a model with two instead of four doors. It was also one level lower in the in-house hierarchy. In the first year of sales, the 1600-2 was offered for 8650 marks - that was only 1000 marks less than the four-door car cost.

But the buyers were not reluctant either. After all, the new BMW combined the features of a sports car with those of a family vehicle suitable for everyday use. On the one hand, 85 PS and a top speed of 160 kilometers per hour (km / h) were decent values. On the other hand, there was space for luggage and four occupants.

1968 new year of birth

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At BMW, they realized that they should use the situation if a concept is successful. So the 1600-2 was gradually given new and more powerful variants. As early as 1967, in addition to a convertible manufactured by the body specialist Baur, there was the 1600 ti model with an output of 105 hp.

The model that finally made the little BMW the 02 followed in early 1968. The new top version showed its top position not only with a two-liter engine. It was also allowed to do without the unusual-looking "-2" and was given the number series 2002 as a designation. That looked somehow better and was adopted over time for the other types. The initial performance deficit of the 100 hp engine in 2002 compared to the smaller ti was more than compensated for with the introduction of the 2002 tii with 130 hp at the latest.

Turbo a flop

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The fact that getting used to success leads to mistakes can be seen when BMW put more family members to the side. From today's perspective, the 02-based touring presented in 1971 can be seen as the ancestor of the sporty station wagon. At the time, however, most BMW drivers turned away.

Another idea failed spectacularly - but is now considered the highlight of 02 history. While everyone was talking about the oil crisis, BMW presented a fuel-burning engine in a class of its own: the engine of the 2002 turbo developed 170 hp and ensured top speeds of 210 km / h. The turbo was only sold slowly: 1672 copies were built between 1973 and 1974, according to BMW.

Success with a savings model

However, such problems could hardly detract from the overall success of Project 02. In 1973 the series got another facelift. 1975 should actually be over, after all, the successor in the form of the first generation of the 3 Series was ready.

But they didn't want to say goodbye to him completely: after the debacle with the turbo, the economy model 1502 was brought onto the market in 1975. With its 75 hp it wasn't exactly sporty, but it was sold well. So good that the 1502 was built parallel to the 3 Series until 1977 and ultimately contributed almost ten percent to the 831,734 units of the 02 series built. (dpa)

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