This Electrified BMW 2002 Costs a Shocking $300,000
The list of electromod classics gets longer by the day. We’ve seen Porsche 911s, Jaguar E-Types, early Land Rovers and tiny Fiat 500s, and now it’s the turn of the BMW 2002 to become a volts-wagen.
The conversion comes from Germany’s Bavarian Econs and, unusually, uses a 400V system that allows rapid charging and delivers a significant performance boost. In the entry-level 2002te there’s a 33 kWh battery powering a 180-hp electric motor for a considerable increase in performance over the original two-liter motor. Even in fuel-injected tii form the 2002 could only muster 128 horsepower from dino juice. Bavarian Econs has managed to minimize any weight increase with the electric powertrain, and the car comes in at 2,400 lbs—just a little more than factory-spec. Pegging a 0-62 mph run in 6.2 seconds, it’s significantly swifter than the original car.
Of course Bavarian Econs also has its own take on the Munich Legend 2002 Turbo. Its Turboe gets a bigger 45 KWh battery pack and a 250-hp motor which cuts that 0-62 mph sprint down to 4.5 seconds. It gets 80 kW charging, compared to the te’s 50 kW rating as well. Both cars’ range is tipped at 120 miles and top speed is capped at 105 mph.
Bavarian Econs strengthens the bodyshell, adds KW Classic V3 sport suspension and the conversion also delivers a 50/50 weight distribution. “With the new weight distribution, the car has more traction,” says founder Edgar Navarro Soto. “The biggest difference is on curvy roads or in wet conditions. The ICE 2002 loses traction in the rear axle much sooner while the Econ can stay on track while turning.” The company says it has put the car to the test on Germany’s unlimited autobahns and on twisty alpine roads.
From the outside the te looks pretty standard, while the Turboe is more flamboyant, featuring wider arches, BBS alloys and a tasty front air dam. Aside from vintage-style sports seats and a Momo Prototipo wheel the interior has kept its original look, although the gauges are repurposed to show battery information instead of fuel level and engine temperature. Electric air conditioning and a sports mode are controlled by standard-issue switches.
Should you want a Bavarian Econ for yourself you’ll need to provide a donor car, then find over $150,000 for a 2002te or almost double that for a Turboe. You’ll need to be patient, too, with the waiting list currently up to 16 months.
$300K to destroy a car? Why are these folks keep doing this. They would paint a mustache on the Mona LIsa.
I’ll just keep my gasoline-powered 2002. Forget the intoxicating induction sounds of the ITBs, it would take so long to recoup the costs of just the EV conversion that it’s financially not viable. Especially at the mileage I drive that car per year.
What a waste & a shame. Removing the heart & sole of a 2002.
These people hate cars. Some many better ways to enhance a 2002 without turning it into a slow charging, short range, over priced joke.
I doubt if very many 2002 owners will subject their pride and joy to such a conversion. And unrusted/derelict 2002s for conversion don’t exist in Germany any more than they do here. Think I’ll keep my M10 motor under the hood, and the voltage at 12, where it’s meant to be…
While I appreciate the engineering that goes into these conventions, they are just not a business plan. Some people with lots of money will want to impress their friends, but the market is so small that, as already stated, it’s a waste of a nice classic. The people who can afford these will not fix up a rusty old 2002. They will want a very nice example and gut it.
As an exercise in resto-modding a car, I think it’s pretty cool. While I would not commission one (I’m going to die an ICEman), I’m happy to see folks building whatever they want. The technical prowess it would take is likely a steep learning curve, especially when you can kill (electrify) yourself in the process. It’s not unlike the stuff we did as kids trying to mod our cars for a little more power or handling. Kudos the the people in the “ring”!
For Hagerty to be posting these stories to the audience that would find this disturbing is just wrong. We are the folks that like the mechanical end of this not the desiccation.
My problem with this is not “electrification”. It’s not even so much the choice of car, although a 2002 would not be the first car on my list. The problem is the $300k price. Don’t know in what world an electrified 2002 is a better answer than a Tesla S Plaid and a Vette E-Ray, with enough left over to restore my ICE Miata.
Please don’t lump all readers into your EV hating silo. There are many readers that appreciate a well designed and executed custom of all types. -Now the price tag is a whole other story
$150k to $300k is just stupid. Making a 2002 an EV is so way beyond that word fail here.
BTW, Nik. We know the price is “shocking”, but is the performance at least “electrifying”? Is it similar to driving a “current” car? OK. I’ll stop, even though I’m getting a “charge” out of this. Sorry.
Has anyone ever said that you need to be more grounded?
Nope. But several suggested that I be discharged!
Thanks for playing!