The 2026 M2 Turbo Design Edition Is a Perfect Tribute

The 2002 is the definitive BMW. Balanced and communicative, it oozes all the qualities that are still considered synonymous with BMW, even if many of the modern cars don’t quite hold to that ethos. Still, if there’s one thing BMW does better than any of its German competitors, it’s the small coupe. The most famous version of the 2002 has to be the Turbo, an early Seventies skunkworks project from BMW Motorsport.

If the M name existed in 1974, this would’ve been the original M2. With 170 hp, a 40 hp boost over the 02tii, and a 0 to 60 time of just under seven seconds, it was a quick machine for the decade. And the paint scheme that became synonymous with it–white with handpainted M colors and an optional reverse turbo script on the front air dam–became iconic. And now it’s back.

For 2026, BMW will be offering a limited edition appearance package for the current M2 dubbed the “Turbo Design Edition,” and thankfully it’s not just stickers. All cars with this package will be painted Alpine White and feature hand-painted BMW Motorsport stripes, like the original. The hood has a black dome with reverse turbo script, a subtle hint to drivers in front to move out of the way, like the original, and the trunk has a carbon fiber lip spoiler and small turbo badging. It also has a carbon fiber roof. You can get it with the standard 930M wheels in black or opt for the 1000M wheels in bronze ($6266). That seems like the better choice.

Inside, there’s M2 Turbo on the sill plates, more turbo badging near the shifter, and an alcantara steering wheel. The carbon fiber bucket seats ($4500) are an option.

Mechanically, this is unchanged from the regular M2, but with one notable caveat: the M2 Design Edition is only available with a six-speed manual gearbox. That’ll be a welcome bit of news for many of you, but that also means that the S58 turbocharged inline-six will offer 473 hp and and 406 lb-ft of torque. Great numbers, however M2s equipped with an eight-speed automatic have 443 lb-ft of torque. So, you have to decide what you prefer: graphics or torque. Like any M2, the M Driver’s Pack ($2500) is available and unlocks a 177 mph top speed.

The current M2 is a pretty excellent car. Sure, the looks are polarizing, but it’s great to drive, small (relatively), and remains rear-wheel drive despite M’s trend towards all-wheel-drive and heavier, more insulating cars. The more time I spend with M2s, the more I enjoy them.

BMW has only said this is a limited edition model, but hasn’t said what that limit actually is. It’ll go into production in Q1 2026, with deliveries expected in Q2. If you want one, the MSRP is $84,075, a $15,000 premium over a base M2. Add the bronze wheels, carbon bucket seats, and M Driver’s Package, and you’ll be at nearly $100,000… an that’s before any potential dealer markup. That’s about the same price as original 2002 Turbos go for today. Which would you rather have?