The German automobile company BMW introduced the new models, BMW 02 series from 1966- 1977. The first model of BMW 02 series was BMW 1600-2. It had 1.6 litre M10 engine with a power output of 84hp at 5700rpm. The 1600 version was well enough to be a great sports car. It had four seats with some space for luggage making it perfect for family travels. Besides its great potential, it failed to create its market in USA being unable to meet emission regulations. There was a need to upgrade the engine.

Director of product planning in BMW Helmut Werner Bönsch and designer of M10 engine, Alex von Falkenhausen both had personal BMW 1600-2. They were using 2 litre engines in their BMWs. They both created a proposal for the company to modify 1600-2 version into 2 litre new version. The proposal was advocated by a US importer Max Hoffman who was planning to introduce a sports version of BMW in American markets. The company approved their proposal and first model BMW 2002 was created in 1968 with a single carbureter generating 101hp whereas 2002 ti model with dual carbureters generated 119 horsepower at a speed of 115mph. The 2002ti was competing with high rated sports cars with a family travel oriented four seater set up. 20% of all 2002s were being sold in the United States by 1971.

BMW introduced a new stylish model from 1969-1971 by upgrading the 1.6 liter Baur cabriolet to the 2 litre engine 2002 cabriolet.
By 1971 the company developed the engine with Kugelfischer fuel injection. The upgraded model was named 2002tii with a power output of 130hp. It was similar to 2002ti in performance except power output.
In 1973, another advanced version 2002 turbo was made by fitting a KKK turbocharger with Kugelfischer fuel injected engine. Its power output was 170hp.

A sum total of 400,000 BMW 2002 series models were manufactured till 1976, when BMW stopped its production.

Car and Drivers magazine reviewed 2002 as “Turn Your Hymnals to 2002” in 1968. With smaller 4 cylinder engine installed in it, 2002 models lagged behind the icons of the roads like Austin – Healey Sprite.

Despite its production has been stopped, the spare parts of 2002 versions are still available. The price range from basic to advanced models of 2002 is $20,000-$60,000. Enthusiastic sports car lovers must have a 2002 model in their luxury list.