16. BMW 2002 Turbo
The 2002 Turbo is the epitome of a German muscle car, despite being 45 years old. This is not a sports car, although it could outrun a Porsche 911 when they released it. And it is not a GT model, although it has four seats and a decent trunk. It is a pure muscle car BMW designed and built using the “biggest engine in the lightest body” mantra. In the early ’70s, BMW found success with their 02 Neue Klasse series of models. The 02s were quick, nimble, and light coupes that established the brand among performance lovers and racing fans all over the world. But BMW wanted more. They wanted to present the ultimate 02 model, incorporating its signature design with the latest in high-performance technology, turbocharging.
So in 1973, BMW introduced the 2002 Turbo. It was a crazy and naughty cousin to the rest of the BMW lineup. The car featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 170 HP, and revised suspension and brakes. Also, it had unique design details, but only one color choice and an interesting graphics package. On the front bumper, they wrote the word “Turbo” backward so other drivers would recognize the model in their rearview mirrors. But despite the relatively small power numbers, the 2002 Turbo was a blast to drive thanks to its lightweight body. The car met universal praise from fans and the car press, too. However, the oil crisis of the early ‘70s killed the model after they built only 1,672 of them.