The BMW 02 Series was a range of compact executive cars produced by BMW between 1966 and 1977, based on a shortened version of the New Class Sedans. The 02 Series caught enthusiasts’ attention and established BMW as an international brand. The first 02 Series produced was the 1600-2 (later renamed 1602) in 1966. In 1975, the 02 Series was replaced by the E21 3 Series (except for the 1502 which continued until 1977). Available was a BMW 1502 and 1602, BMW 1802 and the top model BMW 2002 Turbo.

The 2.0 L engine was sold in two states of tune: the base single-carburetor 2002 producing 101 horsepower and the dual-carburetor high compression 2002 ti producing 119 horsepower. The 2002 Automatic, with the base engine and a ZF 3HP12 3 speed automatic transmission, became available in 1969. In 1971, the Baur cabriolet was switched from the 1.6 L engine to the 2.0 L engine to become the 2002 cabriolet, the Touring hatchback version of the 02 Series became available with all engine sizes available in the 02 Series at the time and the 2002 tii was introduced as the replacement for the 2002 ti. The 2002 tii used the fuel-injected 130 horsepower from the 2000 tii, which resulted in a top speed of 185 km/h (115 mph). A 2002 tii Touring model was available throughout the run of the tii engine and the Touring body, both of which ended production in 1974.

The 2002 Turbo was launched at the 1973 Frankfurt Motor Show. This was BMW’s first turbocharged production car and the first turbocharged car since General Motors’ brief offerings in the early 1960s. It produced 170 horsepower at 5,800 rpm, with 240 Nm of torque. The 2002 Turbo used the 2002 tii engine with a KKK turbocharger and a compression ratio of 6.9:1 in order to prevent engine knocking. Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection was used, with integrated boost enrichment feature. The 2002 Turbo was introduced just before the 1973 oil crisis, therefore only 1,672 were built.