BMW 2002 Group 5: The Iconic Driver’s Performance Machine

Born in the early 1970s, the BMW 2002 Group 5 stands as a legendary testament to German precision engineering and the spirit of motorsport. This compact, rear-wheel-drive icon carved its place in automotive history with raw power, agile handling, and timeless design.

Developed as a homologation special for Group 5 touring car racing, the 2002 Group 5 blended street usability with competitive race-bred performance. Its lightweight chassis, mid-engine balance, and inline-four engine delivered exceptional responsiveness, making it a benchmark for sports cars of its era.

Powered by a 2.0-liter inline-four producing around 160 horsepower, the Group 5 delivered brisk 0-60 mph times for its time, enhanced by its low weight and rear-wheel drive layout. With a refined suspension setup and precise steering, it offered drivers an immersive connection to the road—perfect for both track and twisty mountain roads.

Today, original Group 5 models are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. Their combination of racing pedigree, mechanical simplicity, and cult status makes them a prized addition to vintage automotive lineups, celebrated worldwide for their authentic driving experience.

The BMW 2002 Group 5 remains more than a classic—it’s a symbol of performance purity. Whether restoring a time capsule or enjoying it on the road, this legendary machine continues to inspire drivers who value engineering excellence and driving joy. Discover the full legacy of this iconic sports car today.

Remember the Group 5 version of BMW's first mass-produced turbocharged car, the 2002? You don't? Well, this build will refresh your memory. I am embarking on the journey of building a rules correct Group 5 2002. However i plan on using modern technology and my engineering degree to make it the most bad-ass group 5 car ever.

The hope is to be smoking Porsche 935 KKKs. Personally, i graduated in 2017 from Purdue University. While i was there i was part of the SAE car teams.

There i learned how to weld, machine, design, and test an. Back in the mid 1970s, German race team AC Schnitzer built a couple of BMW 2002 Turbos to compete in Group 5 racing Today, Gruppe5 Motorsports, a new company out of Indiana, is trying to revive. Imagine a race car built with today's tech going against its 50-year-old vintage counterpart.

That sort of technological outgunning was what came to mind when we learned about Gruppe5 Motorsports and its plan to build the ultimate road-going BMW 2002, and just how much more advanced it is compared to its namesake Group 5 FIA cars. Racer Tom Zejac created Gruppe5 Motorsports with renowned BMW. The "BMW 2002 Schnitzer Group 5" refers to a highly modified version of the BMW 2002 racing car, developed for the Group 5 racing series.

These cars featured turbocharged engines, with one variant using a 1.4-liter M12-based engine producing 450 hp, while others had a 2.0. With the Gruppe5 2002, new kid on the block Gruppe5 Motorsport is hoping to resurrect some of the same allure as the BMW turbo models built by German race team AC Schnitzer and raced in Group 5 in. Aggressive aero -- that wing is functional, baby -- recalls the race cars of the Group 5 series of yore while yielding an expected 2,400 pounds of downforce.

The car is expected to weigh 2,200 pounds. 1974 BMW 2002 Turbo specs, lap times, performance data, engine specifications, pictures, updated December 2025. So where did it get the idea for such a car? Well, for starters, a German race team called AC Schnitzer raced a few BMW 2002 turbo models in Group 5 back in the 1970s.

That's exactly the kind of magic, bombastic, beastly appeal the shop wants to capture with this build. As such, this BMW 2002 by Gruppe5 Motorsport is totally insane. Indiana-based tuner Gruppe5 Motorsport plans an 800-horsepower BMW 2002 race car with the help of some other established tuners.

Buyers will have to shell out close to $1M for the right to own one.