BMW M2 Turbo Design Edition Nails Retro Vibes, Tests the Wallet

Every now and then BMW reaches back into its storied past and pulls forward something that feels instantly right. The new M2 Turbo Design Edition is that kind of car. It celebrates the 2002 Turbo with a faithful nod to the tricolor livery that helped define BMW’s performance identity, yet it lives fully in the present with modern power and a manual gearbox enthusiasts still crave.

The look is the hook. Finished in Alpine White, the M2 wears hand painted BMW Motorsport stripes that sweep across the hood and wrap the trunk lid. An offset band streaks over the carbon fiber roof like a memory of Touring Car grids, while a bold Turbo script stretches across the hood’s power dome. A subtle carbon spoiler ties the tail together. Standard black M dual spoke wheels fit the mood, though the optional Matte Gold Bronze wheels shown on BMW’s imagery are the move if you want the full vintage callback.

Inside, the theme continues without feeling like costume. Door sills carry M2 turbo script, a Turbo logo sits ahead of the shifter, and the M Sport seats are finished in Black Vernasca Leather with a tasteful tricolor accent. If you are going all in, the optional M Carbon buckets bring the racy posture with the same signature detailing.

The spec sheet reads like a love letter to drivers. BMW fits the twin turbo 3.0 liter inline six rated at 473 horsepower and 406 pound feet of torque, paired exclusively with a six speed manual. The result is a claimed 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, but the bigger story is how this setup promises to feel. The M2 is already known for being playful and communicative. Layer in the short throw and the extra sense of connection that comes from rowing your own, and the Turbo Design Edition should amplify everything we enjoy about the smallest M.

Heritage does not come cheap. Pricing starts at $84,075 including destination, which is nearly 15,000 more than a base 2025 M2. BMW says production will be extremely limited, so scarcity will be part of the pitch. That positions this car more as a collectible you will want to drive rather than a value play, and for the right buyer the livery and manual only layout will seal the deal.

Retro can feel forced when it leans too hard on nostalgia. This one strikes the right balance. The M2 Turbo Design Edition looks special, keeps the focus on the experience behind the wheel, and honors one of BMW’s most important chapters without turning into a museum piece. Pricey, yes. Desirable, absolutely.

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