The BMW 2002 Hommage Is an M2-Based Tribute to the 2002 Turbo
Remember the 3.0 CSL Hommage concept BMW brought to Concorso d'Eleganza at Villa d'Este last year? BMW's back at it again, but this time, it's paying tribute to the legendary 2002 Turbo with an M2-based concept called the 2002 Hommage. Unlike the 3.0 CSL tribute car, this car is unbelievably gorgeous.
BMW built this concept in tribute to the 50th anniversary of the 2002, the car that established the brand as a major player and set the template for the 3-Series to come. The company imagines its 2-Series as the modern interpretation of the 2002, so this concept was built on the M2's bones. Like the original 2002 Turbo, it features a mirrored "turbo" script on the front bumper, just to let the people you're about to pass know what you're driving.
In its press release announcing the car, BMW doesn't mention any mechanical details, so we have to assume it's exactly the same as an M2 under the skin. That's good news because the M2 is probably our favorite modern BMW, and certainly our favorite from its Motorsport division. That's enough about mechanicals though, since the styling is the star here.
As the 2002 Hommage is a modern BMW, there's some pretty intricate surface detailing, but there's also some clever nods to the 2002 Turbo. The body is much more squared at the front than the regular 2-Series and there's a carbon fiber accent running the length of the body that's designed to mimic the 2002's chrome strip. The front and rear spoilers have some hints of BMW's E21-chassis 3-Series race cars too.
It's very much in the same mold as last year's 3.0 CSL Hommage, but somehow, this design feels much more cohesive. It's an excellent modern interpretation of BMW's classic styling cues.
The 2002 is easily one of the most important cars in BMW's history, and the 2002 Hommage is a fitting tribute. Hopefully some of its design language will make its way into BMW's future products.
This post was last updated at 1:26 p.m. ET.
